Understanding the BEP in BIM

What is BEP – BIM Implementation Plan according to the ISO 19650?

The BIM execution plan (BEP) is an essential document to ensure the successful deployment of a BIM project. It usually details the expectations of the use of Building Information Modeling according to the specificities of the project (rehabilitation, new construction, subdivision, etc.). In addition, this document describes the methods of organization and graphic representation for the operation as well as the processes, models, uses.

The BEP (BIM Execution Plan) plays a vital role in BIM (Building Information Modeling) by acting as a guiding document for the entire project. It outlines how BIM will be implemented, managed, and executed from the start to the finish of the project.

A BEP is crucial for all stakeholders involved in a project as it ensures alignment on the use of BIM, BIM (and also OpenBIM) implementation, standards, and goals. It contains crucial elements such as:

• Project Information: e.g. the project number, description, location, and other specifics
• Project Goals: The scope of work and how BIM will be used to achieve these goals
• Team Roles and Responsibilities: Identifies the key contact person and team, outlining their defined roles, responsibilities, and protocols

In essence, the BIM Execution Plan acts as a roadmap, fostering stronger communication among team members and aiding in the identification and execution of BIM functions across various project phases.

For more detailed information about BEP, feel free to have a look at our definition on this specific blog post: BIM Execution Plan

The Importance of BEP in Construction

The BEP is a cornerstone of any successful construction project employing BIM methodology. It serves as a strategic framework, guiding the project’s deployment of advanced design technologies.

This not only optimizes the work and model flow across the project but also helps to avoid the pitfalls of siloed interests.

For construction projects, BEP implementation can help deliver the project on time and within budget, benefiting all stakeholders involved. It is a tool that aids in managing and coordinating a BIM project, ensuring its successful and efficient completion.

Importance of BEP for tenders

In the tendering process, a well-structured BEP can be an asset, providing prospective suppliers with a clear understanding of the project’s BIM requirements. It outlines the project’s BIM objectives, the data attributes required, and the standards to be met.  Consequently, it gives potential suppliers a framework to align their supply chain capabilities and tender responses.

For instance, in Section A of the BIM Project Execution Plan, the specifics of the project are highlighted, enabling suppliers to tailor their proposals effectively. Furthermore, a BEP facilitates the management of information in a BIM project, ensuring that the information modeling aspects are executed efficiently. This can prove crucial in the decision-making processes during tender evaluations.

Why is a BIM execution plan important in building projects?

Now coming to the detailed benefits of implementing a BEP in building projects:

Effective Communication

The BEP serves as a communication tool that encourages instant exchange among teams. It helps manage responsibilities and sets clear expectations, ensuring pertinent information flow. By setting out communication protocols and defining the methods of information exchange, the BEP minimizes organizational silos and conflicts. This enhances the overall communication within the project, leading to better decision-making and project execution.

Some key aspects of communication in a BEP include:

• Influence vs. Manipulation: Encouraging positive influence over manipulation to foster an environment of trust and openness.
• Conflict Resolution: Establishing procedures for resolving disagreements that may arise during the project.
• Transparent Communication: Promoting openness and honesty in all interactions, leading to a clear and effective communication flow.

These aspects contribute to a culture of open dialogue and cooperation, which is key to successful project execution.

Enhanced Collaboration

The BIM Execution Plan promotes enhanced collaboration by delineating the collaboration structure across various phases of the project timeline. It plays a crucial role in coordinating work among different stakeholders – owners, architects, engineers, and contractors – in a collaborative environment.

• It ensures that everyone can visualize the plans for a building and make changes in real time, fostering a sense of ownership and involvement.
• It defines who is responsible for generating which BIM deliverable and when, allowing for seamless collaboration and reducing chances of miscommunication or overlap.
• It also encourages shared work practices, which can boost productivity significantly.

Through these ways, a BEP fosters a collaborative and cohesive work environment, maximizing the potential of a BIM-centric approach.

Clarity and Consistency

In terms of clarity, the BEP serves as a clear, standardized document that outlines the specifics of the BIM approach for a project. It includes responsibilities, standards, protocols, and more. This allows for transparency in the process and eliminates any ambiguity that can lead to misunderstandings or errors.

The BEP ensures that there is a consistent approach to the BIM process across the project. That includes that the same standards and protocols are being used, making it easier to compare processes and results and maintaining a consistent flow of information. This helps streamline the project and deliver consistent results, regardless of the project’s size or complexity.

• Clarity in BEP:
  • Clear definition of roles and responsibilities
  • Transparency in the BIM approach
  • Elimination of ambiguity
• Consistency in BEP:
  • Consistent approach to the BIM process
  • Standardization of processes and protocols
  • Consistent flow of information.

Time and Resource Optimization

The BIM Execution Plan aids in time and resource optimization by providing a clear and strategic plan for BIM implementation. This helps in:

• Streamlining workflows: The BEP lays out the BIM process and BIM workflows, helping teams understand the sequence of tasks and avoid bottlenecks.
• Effective resource utilization: The BEP identifies the necessary resources, such as the BIM software and company infrastructure, and how they should be used. This ensures resources are used efficiently and effectively.
• Reducing rework: By providing a framework for quality control procedures, the BEP helps in reducing errors and subsequent rework, saving time and resources.
• Monitoring progress: With clear information requirements and objective setting, the BEP allows for ongoing monitoring and adjustment of project progress, ensuring optimal time and resource allocation.

Role Definition

We stated in the Clarity aspect of a BEP that the BIM Execution Plan clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in the BIM project. This role definition is essential for establishing a shared understanding among all parties involved. It outlines:

• Who is responsible for what: This ensures accountability and clear assignment of tasks.
• When they need to perform their tasks: This sets clear timelines and deadlines, aiding in effective project management and scheduling.
• What standards and procedures they need to follow: This ensures compliance with BIM standards and adherence to the project’s protocols.

By defining roles and responsibilities, the BEP helps to prevent misunderstandings, conflicts, and inefficiencies that could arise from unclear or overlapping duties. The defined roles also offer a clear point of reference for performance evaluation and accountability.

Project Delivery

The BIM Execution Plan plays a critical role in mitigating risks in the project execution. It lays out a detailed risk management plan that identifies potential issues, assesses their impact, and outlines strategies to handle them effectively. The risk management plan embedded in the BEP can include:

• Risk Identification: Listing potential risks that may affect the project.
• Risk Assessment: Evaluating the likelihood and potential impact of these risks.
• Risk Response Planning: Developing strategies to handle identified risks.
• Risk Monitoring and Control: Keeping a close eye on the risks and adjusting the strategies as necessary.

Additionally, by defining clear communication protocols and ensuring that every team member understands their roles and responsibilities, the BEP helps to minimize the risk of miscommunication and misunderstanding, which are common causes of project delays and conflicts. Furthermore, the BEP’s focus on efficient resource utilization and reducing rework also plays a part in risk mitigation, by minimizing the chances of wastage and errors.

Risk Mitigation

The BIM Execution Plan is an essential tool for risk mitigation in BIM projects. It identifies and manages potential risks, thereby minimizing their impact on the project. Some methods of risk mitigation embedded in a BEP include:

• Risk Identification: The BEP helps in identifying possible risks that could arise during the project lifecycle. These could be technical, operational, or related to stakeholder interactions.
• Risk Assessment: Once risks are identified, the BEP provides a platform for assessing these risks based on their potential impact and probability of occurrence.
• Risk Response Planning: The BEP outlines strategies to prevent, minimize or control identified risks.
• Risk Monitoring: The BEP provides a mechanism for regular risk monitoring and adjustment of mitigation measures.
• Risk Communication: The BEP enhances risk awareness among all project participants and fosters a collaborative approach to risk management.

These measures ensure that risks are adequately addressed, leading to successful project completion.

Alignment with Industry Standards

As BIM projects are often connected to industry standards and guidelines, a BIM Execution Plan is perfect for ensuring that projects comply with these standards.

Examples of this are:

• ISO 19650 BIM Execution Plan
• National Building Specification (NBS) guidelines

Future-Proofing the project

The ability to future-proof a project is another advantage of implementing a BEP. Future-proofing refers to the strategy of anticipating future developments and ensuring that the project remains relevant and viable in the long term. With a BEP:

• Flexibility: The BEP allows for adapting to changes in project requirements or unforeseen circumstances. It also ensures that the project can incorporate new technologies or methods as they become available.
• Scalability: The BEP provides a framework for project growth, ensuring the project can scale up efficiently, if necessary.
• Sustainability: The BEP promotes sustainable practices and solutions, contributing to the long-term viability and relevance of the project.

Thus, a BEP not only guides the current execution of a BIM project but also lays the groundwork for its future success.

Key Learning

In conclusion, the BEP is much more than a mere document. It is a strategic blueprint that guides teams through the complexities of BIM implementation, helping them to navigate the challenges and reap the benefits of this innovative approach.

How to prepare and create BIM execution plan?

Template and Guideline of a BIM Execution Plan (PDF – DOC)

In Catenda we stand for openness, excellence, and transparency.

In openBIM, innovation must continue to expand. Collaboration and knowledge sharing are essential.

This is why we created a complete BIM Execution Plan example: Download our free template by clicking the link below!

Let us know how you like it and don’t hesitate to share your thoughts about our BEP with us!

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