The Global BIM Network hosted its inaugural General Assembly on 2 December 2021, bringing together representatives from public sector organisations to hear how the growing global digital construction sector is bringing benefits to people and places across the world – helping to build back better from COVID-19 and meet net-zero targets.
Attendees heard from members of the Global BIM Network in three knowledge exchange panel sessions, where the experience of regional and national digital construction initiatives was shared providing lessons learned, best practice and valuable insights for implementing BIM-based digital transformation strategies in public sector-funded projects.
Digital planning and construction are to become the standards for federal infrastructure projects in Germany by 2020. The central element is the use of BIM as the basis of digital building models. BIM will help projects to deliver all data required for the lifecycle of a building, from planning, construction to operation, which can be recorded, exchanged and further processed between all parties involved in the project.
In October 2016, the BIM4INFRA2020 working group was commissioned by the former Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure to create important prerequisites for the implementation of the BIM step-by-step plan over a period of two years. These include:
- The development of an achievable level of performance for the introduction of BIM.
- The monitoring of the pilot projects and expansion of the pilot’s phase.
- Investigation of legal issues and development of recommendations for future contract design.
- Provision of appropriate guidelines and templates for the awarding and processing of BIM services, in particular BIM user cases.
- Identification of requirements for uniform data structures for the infrastructure sector – Development of a uniform database concept and a BIM library.
- Information and public relations.
#SPILL!
The document’s full title is Concept for the step-by-step introduction of modern, IT-supported processes and technologies in the design, construction and operation of structures – step-by-step plan for the introduction of BIM – final report (Konzept zur schrittweisen Einführung moderner, IT-gestützter Prozesse und Technologien bei Planung, Bau und Betrieb von Bauwerken – Stufenplan zur Einführung von BIM – Endbericht)
Everyone involved in the planning, construction and operation of construction projects – including public and private builders, architects, planners, software manufacturers, contractors, suppliers and operators – should have a common vision and strategy for the implementation of integrated, model-oriented working. This vision and strategy should include short- and long-term goals in the form of a step-by-step plan. This phased plan must address the weakest links in the supply chain and give the market sufficient time to prepare.
The former Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure has taken up this recommendation and, based on international examples, it published a phased plan for the introduction of BIM in the transport sector, which covers the use of BIM in new projects to be planned in Germany from the end of 2020. Prior to 2020, the skills, capacities and foundations should be created through collaboration. For this purpose, BIM pilot projects have been carried out and scientifically evaluated.
At the strategic level, the step-by-step plan proposed in this final report includes a guiding approach, principles and a vision for the German construction industry in the digital age. For the operational level, the plan describes in detail an initial performance level for the application of the Building Information Modelling (BIM) method in projects. It then defines a basic reference process for the creation and transfer of digital data in construction projects. By consistently applying this process, the advantages of the method, such as increased planning security, transparency and efficiency, can be achieved in a cost-effective manner and with little risk. This final report also proposes to give the overall market sufficient advance notice of what to expect.
An archive version of this information article has been created if the original is no longer accessible (Archive information from January 2024)
Planning and building are internationally recognised core competences in Germany. Every year, the German planning and construction industry proves that it can build efficiently and with high quality. Despite these competences, a number of major projects experienced delays and cost overruns. For this reason, the former Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development convened the Reform Commission for the Construction of Large-Scale Projects to counteract undesirable developments. In addition to numerous other recommendations, the Reform Commission emphasised in its final report that digital methods such as BIM bring great advantages and should therefore be used more intensively.
This phased plan (Stufenplan Digitales Planen und Bauen), initiated by the reform commission, defines a common understanding of the BIM method and specifies the requirements that the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure will place on digital models and collaborative work with BIM. The plan thus creates clarity for all those involved as to which future requirements they should be prepared for. At the same time, it gives everyone enough time to make the necessary changes by setting out the timeline for the phased adoption of BIM and the next steps that need to be taken to reach a ‘Level 1’ performance.
The primary audience of the phased plan are the public clients of infrastructure construction, who must demand a performance of ‘Level 1’ in their project awards, and the contractors, who are required to acquire the necessary knowledge if this is not already available. However other public and private clients can also benefit from this plan as a basis for the introduction of BIM.
The document is also available in English (Road Map for Digital Design and Construction) from here.
An archive version of this information article has been created if the original is no longer accessible (Archive information from January 2024)
The German construction industry successfully implements many large construction projects worldwide every year. In recent years, however, there have been more and more national public debates about major projects that are not delivered on time or to budget. Therefore, in April 2013, the former Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development launched a reform commission to transform the construction of major projects. The commission presented recommendations for action in 2015, which included cost transparency, cost accuracy, efficiency and adherence to schedules for large projects in the hope that infrastructure construction can be improved. The Federal Government welcomed the fact that everyone involved in major projects was able to support the Reform Commission and was able to agree on further recommendations.
With these recommendations for action, the Reform Commission aims to provide inspiration for BIM adoption that can also be transferred to smaller projects in all federal states.
The Federal Government expects the private partners involved in major projects to fulfil their responsibilities in their area of expertise, in particular through practical partnership-based cooperation in all project phases. This will contribute to the successful implementation of the action plan and will establish a good reputation for the German construction and planning industry across the world.
An archive version of this information article has been created if the original is no longer accessible (Archive information from January 2024)
Digital technologies can make a decisive contribution to cost truth, cost transparency, efficiency and adherence to deadlines. The better availability of data for all parties involved in the construction project ensures transparency and collaboration. Schedules, costs and risks can be determined more easily, earlier and more precisely, and completely controlled. The use of digital methods is therefore also a central demand of the Reform Commission for the Construction of Major Projects.
In order to help BIM achieve a breakthrough in Germany, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure has presented a step-by-step plan for the introduction of BIM. It applies primarily to infrastructure construction and infrastructure-related building construction, but can also be used as a framework for other areas. The step-by-step plan is intended to lay the foundations for the gradual introduction of BIM in Germany.
The Digital Building Transition Plan (Plan Transition Numérique dans le Bâtiment, PTNB) was presented for the first time by Sylvia PINEL at the Council of Ministers on 10 December 2014. It aimed to modernise the construction sector, promote the skills’ development of professionals, improve quality and reduce costs in new builds and renovation.
Its mission was the deployment of digital technology throughout the construction sector and in particular in small structures, around three areas of work:
- Experiment, capitalise, convince all actors.
- Support the skills’ development of professionals and stimulate the creation of tools adapted to small projects.
- Develop a trusted digital ecosystem.
This final PTNB report identifies the following key priorities:
- BIM for all: development of digital office and construction site tools for small- and medium-sized structures;
- the digital notebook for monitoring and maintaining a dwelling;
- standardisation of processes and exchanges;
- the digitisation of existing builds for the renovation and operation of the works.
An archive version of this information article has been created if the original is no longer accessible (Archive information from January 2024)
From new construction to renovation, from digital models to connected objects, the building sector is fully involved in digital transformation. The public authorities support the digital transition of buildings, to improve the comfort of use and the quality of life in housing, schools or offices. This page describes the major public sector activities related to digital transformation from the Digital Transition in Building Plan (Plan Transition Numérique dans le Bâtiment, PTNB) to the BIM 2022 Plan which followed PTNB and commenced in 2019.
This site also references guidance for project owners and voluntary charters to encourage digital transformation and commitment to the objectives of the BIM 2022 Plan.
The VDAS sets out the vital process for safeguarding the digital systems that will allow stakeholders to monitor and improve the creation and management of infrastructure assets in Victoria.
Part A provides insights and direction for heads of departments, executives and those entrusted by government to plan, deliver, operate and maintain assets. Part B details how to implement VDAS at an organisational level for asset owners, operators, project and portfolio managers. Part C is for parties engaged by the Victorian Government to deliver the full implementation of digital engineering on a project.
An archive version of this information article has been created if the original is no longer accessible (Archive information from January 2024)
