CU1611

VIEWPOINT
a paradigm shift for construction: from
thinking in a linear way about the
process of building, to a threedimensional
outlook which was more
connected with the design intentions of
architects, more comprehensible for
clients, and easier to communicate to
sub-contractors.
But that shift hasn't finished yet. 2017
will be, we confidently predict, the year
when the emphasis moves to 5D
thinking. En route, construction
companies must first fully embrace 4D,
but we believe they will move on
rapidly.
4D BIM, which blends BIM data from
3D models with time, has become
familiar. The 4D BIM module of Asta
Powerproject has certainly seen
increasing adoption. Even as
contractors continue to explore how 3D
visualisation can enhance project
management, we believe the focus
should move to 5D planning and the
project delivery as fast as possible.
5D planning is an essential next stage
of the journey. Only with this can
contractors fully integrate project cost
plans with programmes - and keep
them in step throughout the build.
Embracing 5D BIM will deliver benefits
in spades. Contractors will be able to
go beyond cost estimation to achieve
true cost control. They will be able to
manage inevitable supply chain issues
with greater agility, and to project and
plan for the impact of a supplier
collapse, a manufacturing delay, a
missed key delivery, in both cost AND
time terms - and communicate it all to
clients.
5D BIM will not only be a vital step
towards Level 3. The Digital Built Britain
vision not only envisages fully open
BIM, but also its application for better
long-term sustainable, manageable,
and smart built environments. The
information models that construction
companies build today will be critical
for clients, as they look to empower
managers with smart building
management controls, and demand
data-driven FM services. Unless
builders gets to grips with 5D BIM,
there will be a far weaker foundation for
clients to leverage BIM data to support
long-term operations, termed '6D' BIM.
LOOKING FORWARDS
2017 must be a year not only of forward
momentum, but of consolidation. Many
changes were implemented this year:
strategies were developed, BIM
departments established, champions
identified and systems trialled. The next
must be one of driving for stability,
embedding the learnings of the past,
and creating concrete plans for the
future. Newly-minted digital
construction experts must educate and
spread their knowledge to reach every
corner. This will be the year where
many contractors finally start to see
benefits and savings from their first BIM
projects - although only when 5D BIM is
fully embraced do we believe such
savings will hit their peak. As tangible
commercial benefits emerge, it will
further incentivise clients to demand
BIM - and so the cycle will continue.
Digital transformation is not yet
complete - either of projects, or of the
businesses that run them. We also
expect this year to see a greater
emphasis on mobility, with greater
engagement and involvement in the
BIM value chain of managers on site,
subcontractors and suppliers. Whether
it is about uploading site progress
updates seamlessly from mobiles into
the master programme, or better
information gathering to enrich BIM
models, construction will undoubtedly
be a more collaborative sector.
Software developers have a significant
role to play. We are working together
with our customers to meet their needs.
The aim must be for developers to
deliver tools that will enable contractors
to improve their businesses, as well as
their projects, ensuring that systems
can do more than simply exchange
data, integrating in ways that benefit
business, delivering functionality to
drive success.
As we head into 2017, uncertainty
remains the only thing contractors can
rely upon. They must do their utmost to
reduce risk and exert control through
better forward visibility. They need to
embrace digital change to take
advantage of digital data, as well as to
secure business around BIM, and be
part of a smarter and Digitally Built
Britain of the future. We're not there yet
but we've achieved a huge amount
already. Elecosoft wishes every
construction contractor and supplier a
confident and productive New Year -
and we look forward hugely to seeing
what 2017 will bring.
www.astapowerproject.com
Twitter @astapmsoftware
November/December 2016 19