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VIEWPOINT
Are we there yet?
As 2016 draws to a close, Jason Ruddle of Elecosoft muses on the BIM journey so far, and what
2017 might hold for contractors who are continuing to transform around digital construction
Jason Ruddle - Chief Operating
Officer, Elecosoft
The past few years have been
tumultuous for construction
companies. It is five years since
the launch of BIM as a UK directive,
and it only intensified this year. They
have battled their way through a tough
economy and been pushed to start a
process of change which will see their
businesses and modus operandi alter
almost beyond recognition. Even the
truism that construction always involves
laying brick on brick is starting to
change, thanks to huge developments
in new and smart materials, and the
rise and rise of off-site construction and
pre-fabrication.
Now, construction businesses must
also cope with an extreme level of
uncertainty. Not only must they
consider the implications of Brexit,
especially around possible limitation of
labour movement, but now we must
consider the global impact that may
arise from the change of US
administration. Trading may become
less free, more fraught and more
expensive, if signals from incoming
leaders are to be believed. Our
immediate trading environment is sure
to be impacted by Brexit, on a timeline
that is murky, at best. It has never been
more vital for British businesses to be
in the best possible shape, both
operationally and financially, to
navigate such choppy waters.
DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION
MOMENTUM
The digitisation of construction is
already a focus of the discussion
around change, as it is not really a
choice. However, done right, it will play
a significant role in improving
construction businesses' ability to see
ahead, manage risk, drive best
practices, and manage more efficient
and effective operations and projects.
BIM was the starting step on the
digital path for many. A lot of hard work
later, the first key milestone has
passed. Firms which have not yet truly
met their Level 2 BIM goals will be
working hard in 2017 to do so. This will
be the year that losing out on public
sector contracts starts to bite if they do
not, but further impetus will come from
the fact that it is highly likely that we will
see an acceleration of BIM adoption by
private sector clients. It promises them,
too, better visibility and efficiencies -
but, even more vitally, it promises lower
lifecycle costs and easier management,
thanks to the rich data model that they
gain in addition to their asset.
Not only is the Government firmly
standing behind BIM Level 2, it is now
looking ahead at Level 3, and has
outlined a vision of digital data
supporting the entirety of building and
infrastructure lifecycles, enabling the
development of smart cities,
infrastructure and services.
So, the answer to the title question is,
of course, no. We aren't there yet. As
Confucius said, roads were meant for
journeys, not destinations - and that
couldn't be more true of BIM. In fact
we've barely scratched the surface.
SHIFTED WAYS OF THINKING
If BIM was only a step on the road, it
was nonetheless significant. It marked
18
November/December 2016