The Global BIM Network has officially launched the Public Sector Construction Digital Transformation Playbook, making it easier to find information, ideas and inspiration on construction digital transformation. 

The Playbook is for anyone interested in accelerating and growing the benefits of BIM implementation and digital transformation of construction. It enables users to identify common, good practice by synthesizing experiences from across the world.  

The Playbook complements, adds context to, and links directly to the Network’s Information Collection. This digital knowledge base of over 500 resources from over 65 countries includes articles, guidance and policy documents to facilitate the introduction of BIM. Both the Playbook and the Information Collection are free online resources. 

The Playbook is primarily targeted at public sector and multi-lateral organizations and provides a rich resource for those who are interested in encouraging, supporting, defining and implementing transformation. 

The private sector can also use the Playbook as many of the principles, methodologies and processes highlighted in the Playbook are applicable to organizations of any type. 

The Playbook also offers academia an insight into some of the challenges and opportunities around public sector transformation programmes. Academia can use the Playbook to demonstrate a robust and tested approach to digital transformation which is scalable and adaptable to many different contexts around the world. 

The experience can be personalised through the free MyPlaybook function which enables users to save their most useful sections from the Playbook for quick access later. Once registered, users can simply click on the Save button on any page of the Playbook to collate their own selected content.  

Network Chair Adam Matthews described the Playbook as a “significant transition” for the Network when he announced the start of the Playbook’s development at the second annual General Assembly.  

“The purpose of the Playbook is to make sense of all the information that we have collated. It will help people find what’s most relevant to them and support them on their digital transformation journey.”  

Read the Public Sector Construction Digital Transformation Playbook 

Register for MyPlaybook  

Send us your feedback on the Playbook  

Submit a resource to be added to the Information Collection 

This is the latest in a new series of blogs looking at the fundamentals of building information modelling and the role of the Global BIM Network. 

In this final blog on the four pillars of a public led BIM programme, we consider capability and capacity development. Together, these four pillars describe the common strategic areas for success. 

• public leadership;  

• communication and communities;  

• collaborative framework; and  

• capability and capacity development. 

Stakeholders can employ three specific actions to develop capability and capacity. 

ONE Run pilot projects and promote training to encourage early successes. Pilot projects are an important mechanism for testing and demonstrating how BIM processes and practices can be employed. They help stakeholders see the practical benefits of BIM in real-world scenarios. Such initiatives come hand in hand with training to encourage early successes. In Latvia, the Construction Digitalisation Centre at Riga Technical University partners with other groups to provide live online and in-person BIM training. Modules include a wide range of topics: from general BIM awareness through to practical classes on specialised BIM software and modelling. 

TWO Increase the use of public procurement as a driver for industry capacity development. Public procurement policies specifying the use of BIM can act as powerful levers. National policy, strategy and standards can encourage industry to invest in digital technologies and practices. BIM Loket details the rollout of BIM legislation and regulations in the Netherlands and looks at the potential roadblocks and benefits from taking such an approach.  

THREE Measure progress and produce case studies to increase industry awareness and support. Many organizations share their BIM tools, learnings and successes online. Planbim provides the Mibim open, self-assessment web platform. Organizations can use it to measure their BIM maturity level. At the end of the evaluation, the platform provides a report with key findings and recommendations. The BIMinNZ group in New Zealand has produced a series of case studies demonstrating the costs, benefits and risk management aspects of using BIM. The group’s examples span BIM applications in wastewater treatment plant, social housing, healthcare, tertiary education and more. 

The Global BIM Network’s Information Collection contains many examples of how capability and capacity development is enabling BIM processes and practices.  

To join the Global BIM Network, email us or visit our website.   

This is the latest in a new series of blogs looking at the fundamentals of building information modelling and the role of the Global BIM Network. 

Public sector led BIM initiatives of all kinds can benefit from a strategic framework that helps deliver robust and effective programmes. This framework is based on four pillars or areas:  

• public leadership;  

• communication and communities;  

• collaborative framework; and  

• capability and capacity development. 

In this blog we look at the third of these pillars – the need to have a collaborative framework – and identify four actions that can be used to develop this strategic area.  

ONE Assess and address legal, regulatory, procurement and policy barriers. This is an important step towards facilitating collaborative working and sharing of data. The National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia has published and adopted a law governing conditions for the construction of buildings and other related issues. The Building Act (GZ-1) clarifies that BIM processes are to be used in relevant project documentation.  

TWO Develop or use international standards for data requirements. BIM Loket in the Netherlands is creating an Atlas of Open BIM Standards describing not only the standards it manages but also important international standards and norms. 

THREE Reference international standards for encouraging collaborative processes and sharing of data. The UK’s built environment sector is on a journey towards a smarter, more efficient and sustainable future – a vital stage of which is adoption of the UK BIM Framework and its guidance. The UK BIM Framework sets out the approach for implementing BIM in the UK ensuring a smooth transition in the integration of BS EN ISO 19650 series, the international standard for BIM, within its suite of guidance and tools. 

FOUR Produce guidance and tools to support the upskilling of industry and development of academic curricula. In France, for example, a BIM skills repository has been created for all trainers. This allows trainers to offer digital programmes particularly suited to the real needs of contractors and construction companies. It is part of a skills framework published under the ‘Support Skills Development and Develop Appropriate Tools’ workstream of the Digital Building Transition Plan (PTNB). In another example, the Czech Standardization Agency is rolling out BIM curricula in specialist secondary schools and universities. 

The Global BIM Network’s Information Collection contains many examples of how collaborative frameworks are enabling BIM processes and practices. 

To join the Global BIM Network, email us or visit our website. 

This is the latest in a new series of blogs looking at the fundamentals of building information modelling and the role of the Global BIM Network.

Change management initiatives require complex long-term thinking and behavioural shifts. It is easy to lose speed and direction. Yet, when it comes to BIM, a four-part framework provides both a route map for stakeholders starting their BIM journey and a cross-check to those that have already begun. 

 The framework is based on four pillars or areas:  

• public leadership;  

• communication and communities;  

• collaborative framework; and  

• capability and capacity development. 

In this blog we look at the second of these pillars – communication and communities – and how stakeholders can employ three specific actions to develop this strategic area. 

ONE Engage with industry stakeholders early and frequently. This is essential in supporting any industry change process and can be done in many ways. Global BIM communities are engaging with industry stakeholders through mechanisms such as events, feedback loops, websites, social media, case studies, training, and co-authoring documents. Many are using iterative processes enabling stakeholders to be part of the conversation, contribute their own perspective and for all to learn from each other. For example, Empresa de Desarrollo Urbano (EDU), the Urban Development Corporation of Medellin, in Colombia is gaining optimal results by working in close collaboration with contractors.  

TWO Participate in and provide encouragement for regional and special interest networks to disseminate best practice. Many networks are working at many levels. For example, the Latam BIM Network, the BIM network for Latin American Governments, brings together eight countries in the region to fast-forward national digital transformation processes through employing BIM in the construction sector. In Slovenia, the voluntary, independent organization siBIM enables engineers and people working in associated roles to learn from each other’s experiences and enhance their professional development in BIM. 

THREE Use mass communication tools to reach audiences. These tools could include online media, events, web, and social media. They are used to spread and share messages about BIM as widely as possible. Good examples are the EU BIM Task Group’s website and the LinkedIn and YouTube initiatives by Chile’s Planbim

The Global BIM Network’s Information Collection contains many examples of how communication and communities are enabling BIM processes and practices. 

To join the Global BIM Network, email us or visit our website to register.   

This is the latest in a new series of blogs looking at the fundamentals of building information modelling and the role of the Global BIM Network.

Sometimes it can be hard to navigate through the growing amount of information available on how to implement BIM. A simple four-part framework can clarify thinking, and enable stakeholders at all stages of their BIM journey to take their next steps with confidence. 

This framework is built on four pillars:

  • public leadership;
  • communication and communities;
  • collaborative framework; and
  • capability and capacity development.

Together, these pillars describe the common strategic areas for a successful public sector led BIM programme.

In this blog we focus on the first of these pillars: public leadership. This can mean many different things in different contexts. So, we look at how stakeholders can develop this important strategic area using five action points.

ONE Define compelling drivers, a clear vision and goals. This is the foundation stone for effective and robust public sector led programmes. It defines the way forward. Examples include, Smart Construction 2025 by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Korea and Vietnam’s plan for digital transformation of its construction industry.

TWO Describe the value of BIM to the public and private sector. BIM methodologies derive greater social, economic, and environmental benefits from the built environment. In supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals and inclusive economic growth, they bring multiple benefits. These include the improved energy efficiency and resiliency of buildings and assets, and optimization of the whole-life cycle of infrastructure assets. BIM can also help reduce material waste, target carbon neutrality, and lessen costly errors. BIM initiatives also encourage the global construction sector to develop a highly skilled digital workforce.

THREE Document the general approach for moving the sector towards the defined vision and goals. There are many ways to do this. Levers and drivers may include producing a roadmap, developing a mandate, or introducing legislation. Examples include Dubai’s roadmap to create the ideal [digital] construction ecosystem, Lithuania’s BIM mandate, and Denmark’s ICT Executive Order for Digital Construction.

FOUR Identify a public sector champion to sponsor the initiative. It is important to have a public sector champion at every stage. A strategic responsible owner may be an individual, ministry, or department.

FIVE Establish an implementation team to drive the programme. The value proposition and sponsor can unlock required funding and resources. BIM programmes are being driven at multiple levels of public leadership. In the Czech Republic, for example, the Czech Agency for Standardization is highly active in driving and supporting the Czech Government’s BIM Strategy Framework.

The Global BIM Network’s Information Collection contains many examples of how strategic public leadership is enabling BIM processes and practices.

To join the Global BIM Network, email us or visit our website

 

This is the fourth in a new series of blogs looking at the fundamentals of building information modelling and the role of the Global BIM Network.

When the Global BIM Network was established in March 2021, it set out to spark both thinking and action on transforming the global built environment. From small beginnings a significant global resource has grown. In this blog we look at how an initial snapshot view of BIM around the world has developed into the Network’s Information Collection and how this is providing a better view of BIM around the world.

A simple infographic with linked artefacts across various countries captures early foundational thinking about the Network. The infographic demonstrates the interplay between BIM processes and practices at three distinct levels: national, organizational, and project.

It encapsulates the Network’s approach to its work: that BIM is about much more than technical change. It underscores that an entire sector will only change when stakeholders act at each of these three levels.

The interactive infographic provides a preview of how sectoral change starts at the national level – in policy and regulatory environments, for example. This cascades down to the organizational level – at which organizations understand how developing their own BIM processes can help them achieve the outcomes they desire. Finally, comes implementation at the project level.

While the Network’s early work started with this snapshot, by working with its community the Network has developed a collective knowledgebase providing a much broader view. The resultant online Information Collection is a global knowledgebase of BIM resources with links to downloadable documents or official websites of governmental and non-governmental organizations.

The Information Collection is organized geographically and under four categories. These are: Public leadership; collaborative framework; communication and communities; and capability and capacity building. Users can also search by level, region, country, resource type and transformation state.

The Information Collection now contains over 400 artefacts from over 60 countries and continues to grow. It continues to enable stakeholders in the global built environment to gain a better view of BIM around the world.

You can access the Global BIM Network’s Information Collection here.

To join the Global BIM Network, email us or visit our website

 

This is the third in a new series of blogs looking at the fundamentals of building information modelling and the role of the Global BIM Network.

Increasing numbers of people and organisations are engaging with the Global BIM Network. So, we are taking the opportunity to revisit some of the thinking underpinning the creation of the Network and how this can help you on your BIM journey. In this blog we look at how the Network delivers value in three distinct areas.

FIRSTLY: The Network delivers value directly to its members. This comes in multiple forms. Members tells us they can learn much faster about BIM processes and practices by connecting with other people and organizations with shared issues, challenges, or goals. Similarly, they are benefiting from the large amount of information signposted, organized, and made readily available on our website. Members also benefit as initiatives by increasing numbers of public sector and multi-lateral organizations build critical mass. This provides legitimacy, confidence, and a level of encouragement for others to also adopt BIM processes and practices.

SECONDLY: The Network delivers value indirectly to the public procurers, owners, suppliers, and maintainers of the built environment. It creates a multiplier effect in which successful national and regional collaborations can strengthen the call for digital solutions based on open standards.

THIRDLY: The Network delivers better outcomes and performance of the built environment for people. Over time, as momentum builds, the Global BIM Network is helping to enhance the public estate globally, supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals and inclusive economic growth.

In the long term, this will bring multiple benefits. These include improved energy efficiency and resiliency of buildings and assets, optimisation of the whole-life cycle of infrastructure assets, reduction of material waste, targeting carbon neutrality and the lessening of costly errors.

The Network’s initiatives also encourage the global construction sector to develop a highly skilled digital workforce: in turn both helping improve the image of the construction and infrastructure sector, and ensuring life-long employment opportunities for generations to come.

In the next blog in our ‘Back to Basics’ series we will look at how the Global BIM Network is helping develop a better view of BIM around the world.

Access more information on how the Global BIM Network delivers value here.

To join the Global BIM Network, email us or visit our website

This is the second in a new series of blogs looking at the fundamentals of building information modelling and the role of the Global BIM Network.

The Global BIM Network is connecting more widely with public sector representatives and multi-lateral organizations across the world through its numerous channels. Almost two years after its creation, we thought it time to reiterate the thinking behind the Network. What is its vision and mission? And what value is it delivering?

The vision of the Global BIM Network is a global digital built environment delivering benefits for people and places. The Network’s mission is to share its members’ digital transformation journeys towards a digital built environment that brings benefits for people, places, and societies.

Sharing is central to everything we do. Our digital platform ensures we exchange knowledge on BIM processes and practices. It also means we can enable greater collaboration – both internationally and within our own communities – and lift awareness of research, technology and good practice developments.

Through sharing knowledge, we can all avoid duplication of efforts, while common problems and gaps in knowledge – such as policy, procurement, or technical information – can also be addressed.

Network members have created a vibrant community of public and private sector practitioners championing digital ways of working to benefit the construction sector globally. The public sector and investors are fostering common standards and policies.

The Network delivers value in three distinct areas: 

•            directly to its members;

•            indirectly to the public procurers, owners, suppliers, and maintainers of the built environment; and

•            by enabling better outcomes and performance of the built environment. 

In the next blog in our ‘Back to Basics’ series we will look more deeply into these three areas in which the Network adds value.

Access more information on the Global BIM Network’s vision, mission, and value here.

To join the Global BIM Network, email us or sign up here.

Diego Giraldo has emphasized the value of teamwork in implementing BIM. Diego is BIM Manager at Empresa de Desarrollo Urbano (EDU), the Urban Development Corporation of Medellin, in Colombia. He was speaking at the Global BIM Network’s second annual General Assembly on December 1, 2022.

EDU is a public entity that implements 70 percent of the projects of the Mayor’s Office of Medellin. It works in a technical and contractual arrangement between government, community and territory using BIM and City Information Modelling (CIM) methodologies.

In his presentation, Diego shared insights into leveraging BIM as part of a wider transformation strategy for the city of Medellin. He also provided practical examples from pilot projects on how EDU is collaborating to support wider transformation in Colombia, and across Latin America.

Asked to share a key takeaway message from EDU’s work, Diego highlighted the need for teamwork. He said this is especially important for implementing BIM in a public entity. “BIM is not just about knowing how to model, and how to manage the tools and work in a digital environment. It’s also about having the capacity to work in a team.”

Diego told attendees at the Assembly that EDU carries out architectural urban design in-house. “But we outsource the entire technical package, where we contract all the technical designs, and we also conduct a bidding process for the execution and construction phases.”

Diego said EDU generates far better results from working hand in hand with contractors. “Sometimes we forget that the most essential part of BIM is working in a collaborative fashion as people aimed at the same goal.”

Commenting on leveraging BIM as part of a wider transformation strategy for the city of Medellin, Diego said that within his organization, BIM and CIM methodologies have become great allies for public projects in the city. This has been done through the integration of GIS platforms, database systems, computational operations, public space modelling strategies and three-dimensional modelling software.

EDU’s successes have encouraged other public agencies in Colombia to start adopting BIM and CIM methodologies. These include the Instituto de Desarrollo Urbano (IDU) of Bogota. Together, these agencies are now contributing to a national vision calling for all digital transformation issues in the construction sector to be addressed by 2026 for better use of available resources and greater productivity.

You can watch recordings of the Global BIM Network’s second annual General Assembly here.

Clear, up-to-date information, located in one place, is essential for public sector adoption and implementation of BIM. So said BIM Education Expert Lucie Svamberkova at the Global BIM Network’s second annual General Assembly. 

Lucie is a BIM Education Expert in the BIM Strategy Department at the Czech Standardization Agency, in the Czech Republic. She was speaking at the online General Assembly on December 1, 2022.  

In her presentation, she described how the Agency is dealing with the integration of BIM topics into the country’s educational system. Lucie also outlined solutions being offered to Czech industry and the public sector to build their own BIM capacity. 

At the end of the General Assembly, host Alanna Gluck asked Lucie to share a key takeaway from her presentation. Said Lucie: “I would accentuate the need of having one place where you concentrate clear, concise, up-to-date information.” 

Lucie said it can be challenging to get the right message to the right people. The Czech Standardization Agency tries to locate all information on its website, and regularly emails the top management of public contracting organizations. 

She added that a BIM Act is currently being drafted in the Czech Republic but there will not be a legal obligation for public sector procurers to use BIM until the turn of 2023/2024. This can lead to misunderstanding, with top management sometimes not sharing relevant BIM information with other people who would benefit from it right away. 

Global BIM Network Chair Adam Matthews said the public sector in many countries often struggles with having too much information. Adam said the Network’s upcoming Playbook will help address this challenge. The Playbook will create structures and models to organize ideas, and distil down the large amount of information currently available in the Network’s Information Collection.  

In her presentation, Lucie detailed how the Czech Republic is using secondary and tertiary education to scale the adoption of BIM. This includes educational training to build the interest of high school and university students in developing a career in BIM and the built environment.  

She also updated attendees on capacity-building solutions currently being offered to Czech industry and the public sector, and highlighted the need for more talented young people to work within the public sector. She also outlined the development of a BIM Education System for Public Administration and the Czech Government’s BIM Strategy Framework

For more information on the Playbook or to join the Global BIM Network, email us or visit our website.  

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