BIM Coordination

In today’s digital AEC industry, Building Information Modeling (BIM) transforms project delivery. Central to this is BIM coordination – the process of integrating and aligning models from various disciplines into a single, clash-free virtual design. It goes beyond simple clash detection, proactively resolving issues before construction begins, saving time and cost.

What is BIM coordination?

BIM coordination is the process of reviewing and integrating Building Information Models developed by different design disciplines – such as architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and fire protection – to identify and resolve conflicts, inconsistencies, and gaps. While it primarily involves 3D model coordination to detect physical clashes, it can also extend to other dimensions of BIM, including scheduling (4D), cost (5D), and sustainability (6D), where issues may arise related to timelines, budgets, or environmental goals. The overall aim is to ensure that all building systems and components can be efficiently constructed and operated as intended.

Think of a complex building project: the structural engineer designs the steel frame, the MEP engineer designs the ductwork and pipes, the architect designs the walls and ceilings. Without coordination, a large duct might run directly through a structural beam, or a pipe might conflict with electrical conduit. Resolving these issues during construction is expensive, causes delays, and can impact quality.

BIM coordination tackles these conflicts virtually before construction begins. It involves bringing together the individual discipline models into a federated model within a common data environment or specialized coordination software. This federated model allows the coordination team to visualize the complete design, run automated checks for clashes, and conduct visual reviews to identify non-geometric issues or design inconsistencies.

The BIM coordination process involves:

• Model aggregation: Combining models into one federated model.
• Clash detection: Automated checks for clashes between elements.
• Issue identification: Finding and categorizing clashes, gaps, or constructability problems via review.
• Issue communication: Documenting issues, assigning responsibility, and tracking status.
• Issue resolution: Facilitating team communication to find solutions.
• Model revision: Updating models based on resolutions.
• Coordination meetings: Regular reviews with discipline leads.

BIM coordination is the digital equivalent of overlaying drawings on a light table—only faster, more accurate, and analytical. It underpins virtual design and construction (VDC), enabling teams to build virtually before construction starts.

What are the benefits of BIM coordination?

Implementing a robust BIM coordination process offers significant benefits that contribute directly to project success:

• Reduced rework: Resolving issues virtually is cheaper and faster than on site.
• Improved constructability: It forces design teams to consider how projects will be built, creating more practical designs.
• Enhanced collaboration: It requires close work between disciplines, breaking down silos to solve the issues together in a timely fashion.
• Cost/Time savings: It helps reduce rework and avoids site delays.
• Improved safety: Identifying spatial issues can highlight site hazards early.
• Higher quality: Coordinated models lead to better construction documentation.
• Better predictability: Fewer site surprises make timelines and budgets more reliable.

General Contractors (GCs) are arguably among the biggest beneficiaries of effective BIM Coordination. For GCs, BIM Coordination is not just about avoiding clashes; it’s about de-risking the entire Construction phase and improving overall project profitability and efficiency.

When should you start working on BIM Coordination?

The optimal time to start working on BIM Coordination is as early as possible in the Project lifecycle, ideally during the design development phase. While Clash Detection might seem most relevant when designs are more mature, the true benefits of BIM Coordination are realized when it’s integrated from the outset.

Early engagement allows for:

• Proactive Issue Resolution: Identifying and resolving potential clashes and design Errors when they are still conceptual or in early design stages is far less expensive and time-consuming than fixing them during Construction. Changes made on paper or in a BIM Model are cheap; changes made on site are costly and lead to Rework.
• Design Optimization: Early BIM Coordination encourages disciplines to think about constructability and interdependencies from the beginning. This can lead to more optimized and efficient designs, preventing fundamental Errors that might otherwise propagate through the Project.
• Establishing Protocols: Starting early provides an opportunity to establish clear BIM Coordination protocols, a Common Data Environment (CDE), and communication Workflows before the Project gains significant momentum. This sets the foundation for effective Collaboration throughout the Project.
• Informed Decision-Making: As BIM Models develop, early coordination provides valuable Information that can inform design decisions, material selections, and Construction sequencing. This ensures that all disciplines are working with the most up-to-date and coordinated Information.

While the intensity of BIM Coordination activities, particularly Clash Detection, will increase as the BIM Models reach higher Levels of Development (LOD), the foundational principles and initial setup should occur during the schematic design and design development phases. This ensures that the BIM Coordination Process is an integral part of the Project delivery, rather than a reactive measure to fix problems.

What are the common challenges to BIM Coordination?

While the benefits are substantial, implementing effective BIM coordination can present challenges. Standards like ISO 19650, open formats such as IFC, and the use of a common data environment like Catenda Hub help overcome these obstacles.

• Inconsistent Standards: Different disciplines or companies may use varying BIM Modeling standards and naming conventions, hindering seamless BIM Model federation and accurate Clash Detection.
  • Solution: Establish a clear BIM Execution Plan (BEP) with defined Project-specific standards.

• Poor Interoperability: Transferring BIM Models between diverse software can lead to data loss or inaccuracies.
  • Solution: Prioritize open standards like IFC and BCF for Information exchange.

• Vague Protocols: Lack of clear guidelines for issue identification, documentation, and resolution can cause inefficiencies and delays.
  • Solution: Define explicit BIM Coordination Processes and assign clear responsibilities in the BEP.

• Fragmented Communication: Siloed teams and inefficient communication channels impede issue resolution and Collaboration.
  • Solution: Utilize a Common Data Environment (CDE) for integrated communication and schedule regular coordination meetings.

• Resistance to Change & Skill Gaps: Adoption of new Workflows and lack of skilled BIM Coordinators can hinder progress.
  • Solution: Provide training, highlight benefits, and invest in upskilling personnel.

• Data Overload & False Positives: Automated Clash Detection can generate excessive, often negligible, clashes.
  • Solution: Refine Clash Detection rules and prioritize critical clashes based on severity.

• Managing Large Models: Complex Projects result in large federated BIM Models, causing performance issues.
  • Solution: Implement BIM Model partitioning and optimization strategies, and leverage cloud-based CDEs.

The BIM coordination process: A step-by-step approach

While the specific steps may vary slightly depending on the project and the tools used, a typical bim coordination process follows these stages:

1. Establish roles and responsibilities: Define the roles of the BIM Manager, BIM Coordinator(s), discipline leads, and other stakeholders involved in the coordination process. Clearly outline who is responsible for creating, sharing, and updating models, running clash detection, reviewing issues, and providing resolutions.
2. Develop a BIM Execution Plan (BEP): The BEP should outline the project’s BIM goals, the software and file formats to be used, model setup guidelines, naming conventions, and crucially, the bim coordination process itself, including clash detection rules, reporting procedures, and coordination meeting schedules..
3. Set up the Common Data Environment (CDE): A common data environment is essential for managing the different discipline models and coordination files. It provides a central, version-controlled repository for all project information, ensuring everyone is accessing the latest data.
4. Develop coordination models: Discipline teams develop their individual BIM 3D models to a defined level of development (LOD), which specifies the geometric detail and information attached to BIM objects at different project stages. These models are then uploaded to the CDE.
5. Federate models: The BIM Coordinator or a designated team aggregates the individual discipline models into a single federated model within a CDE. This allows for viewing and analysis of the combined design.
6. Perform clash detection: Automated clash detection is run on the federated model using defined rules. 
7. Review and prioritize issues: The coordination team reviews the automated clash reports, filtering out negligible clashes and focusing on significant conflicts and potential constructability issues. Visual review of the federated model is also critical for identifying non-geometric problems or design inconsistencies that automated checks might miss.
8. Document and communicate issues: Identified issues are documented in a structured format, typically within the coordination software or a dedicated issue tracking system. Each issue is clearly described, localized (often with screenshots), assigned to the responsible disciplines for resolution, given a status, and assigned a deadline.
9. Issue resolution and model update: The assigned discipline teams review the issues and propose solutions. This often involves communication and negotiation between disciplines. Once a solution is agreed upon, the relevant discipline models are updated in their authoring software and uploaded back to the CDE.
10. Coordination meetings: Regular meetings are held with representatives from each discipline to discuss high-priority or complex issues, make decisions, and track the overall coordination progress. The coordinated federated model is typically reviewed collaboratively during these meetings using an IFC viewer or other visualization tools.
11. Repeat and Monitor: The clash detection, review, and resolution process is iterative. It is repeated regularly as the design develops and models are updated. The BIM Coordinator monitors the number and status of open issues to track progress towards a coordinated design.

This iterative process continues until the design reaches a coordinated state suitable for construction documentation and procurement.

The Role of Common Data Environments in BIM Coordination

Technology plays a vital role in enabling effective BIM coordination. Specialized BIM coordination tools/software are designed to handle the complexities of federating large models, running automated clash detection, and managing the issue resolution workflow. 

However, the coordination software is only one piece of the puzzle. A robust common data environment is equally, if not more, important for the overall success of the BIM coordination process. The CDE provides the foundational infrastructure for managing the information flow:

• Model aggregation: Combining models from different software formats.
• Centralized storage: Ensuring teams access the latest published versions.
• Visualization and review: Navigating federated models, measuring, and inspecting.
• Version control: Tracking changes to avoid confusion and maintain history.
• Access control: Restricting model access to authorized users.
• Issue management: Logging, assigning, and monitoring issues through resolution.
• Workflow integration: Managing approvals and document control in line with the MIDP.
• Information linking: Connecting issues to specific model elements and documents.

Other Frequently Asked Questions about BIM Coordination

Q1: Is BIM Coordination just Clash Detection?

No, BIM Coordination is much broader than just Clash Detection. While Clash Detection is a crucial component, BIM Coordination encompasses the entire Process of integrating BIM Models from different disciplines, managing Information flow, facilitating Collaboration, documenting issues, and ensuring their resolution. It’s about harmonizing the entire design for constructability, not just finding geometric overlaps.

Q2: What is a Federated BIM Model?

A federated BIM Model is a single, combined BIM Model created by linking or merging individual BIM Models from various disciplines (e.g., architectural, structural, MEP) into one comprehensive view. It allows Project teams to visualize the entire design in context, perform Clash Detection, and conduct holistic reviews without altering the original discipline models.

Q3: Who is responsible for BIM Coordination on a Project?

While the BIM Coordinator or BIM Manager typically leads the BIM Coordination Process, responsibility for the overall coordination lies with the entire Project team. Each discipline is responsible for the quality of their own BIM Model and for actively participating in issue resolution. The General Contractor often plays a key role in driving the Process to ensure constructability.

Q4: What are the main software tools used for BIM Coordination?

Common software tools include Autodesk Navisworks Manage, Solibri Model Checker for Clash Detection. Besides, a Common Data Environment (CDE) like Catenda Hub is essential for managing and sharing BIM Models and Information.

Catenda Hub also integrates seamlessly with Navisworks, Solibri, and many other widely used tools, making it highly effective for BIM coordination.

Q5: How does BIM Coordination save money?

BIM Coordination primarily saves money by identifying and resolving design Errors and conflicts virtually before Construction begins. This significantly reduces costly on-site rework, minimizes delays, lowers material waste, and improves overall efficiency, leading to substantial cost savings throughout the Project lifecycle.

Conclusion

BIM coordination is an indispensable process in modern virtual design construction. It is the proactive effort to harmonize multidisciplinary designs, identify conflicts early, and ensure constructability before construction begins. While clash detection is a key component, true BIM coordination process is broader, encompassing model aggregation, issue management, and collaborative resolution.

Successfully navigating the complexities of BIM coordination requires clear protocols, effective teamwork, and the right technological support. A common data environment, like Catenda Hub, is fundamental to providing the centralized information management platform needed to support the iterative coordination process, manage diverse BIM 3D models, and facilitate communication around issues identified by other BIM tools/software.

By investing in robust BIM coordination practices and leveraging platforms that promote collaboration and structured data management, construction projects can significantly reduce risk, save time and money, improve quality, and pave the way for a more predictable and successful construction phase. As BIM continues to evolve, the importance of skilled BIM coordination and the platforms that enable it will only continue to grow.