Author’s Corner
In this white paper, Marissa Jacobson, Client Operations Director, explores why building information modeling (BIM) is the most popular tool in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. Marissa also explains how Vee Technologies performs quality assurance and quality control checks to ensure the highest level of service to our clients.
Please click on the video to the right to learn more about Marissa, the key takeaways of her white paper, and more about BIM implementation.
To discuss her white paper, please contact Marissa using her information provided at the bottom of the page.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the most effective, widely used, and preferred design tool in the AEC world currently. This digital software platform enables architects and engineers to create complete designs filled with building data that can be used throughout the design and construction process. BIM is used to identify cost-effective materials, spatial awareness, detect any clashes between various disciplines, and so much more.
All teams strive for accuracy and consistency throughout the project development. This ensures that it is cohesive, organized, and that the design requirements and features are properly communicated to the owners and other team members working in the design and construction process. Starting work on any project within the BIM realm usually requires standards, specifications, and templates as a guideline to be followed throughout the design process. Our designers work within our clients' BIM standards, or we will develop the required BIM implementation plans.
BIM software allows users to collaborate using a central 3D model in the cloud to be shared and accessed by the property developer and all team members throughout the design process. Communication becomes imperative to ensure all team members are aware of who is working on the model (design) at any given time and which is the most updated version.
Quality Assurance is key, especially within the AEC industry and even more so as the construction contractor uses the exact data provided from these models to build the structure. Mistakes on projects can mean life or death and have critical impacts on cost, schedule, relationships, and even reputation.
Designs and plans must be specific and executed correctly using these standards and specifications, as well as adhering to local codes and ordinances.
Having multiple people on a team working on the same project can create a disjointed flow of information and lead to incorrect information and details being produced or added to the project. On any project, there are expected redlines and markups back and forth between the lead architect and the team to "fine-tune" design details. This feedback is critical to the development of the team as they will be able to make adjustments and improvements as the design evolves. A major (and unfortunately constant) frustration, however, is the repetitive redlines that waste time, increase effort, and, in turn, significantly extend the schedule and cost of the project.
Solution
Our AEC design teams have quality control/quality assurance checklists as a basic procedural guideline for any project. Using the BIM standards and specifications from our clients, we create more detailed and precise checklists that provide greater coverage and a more accurate assessment of the work being performed. As part of our process, our teams create, track, execute, and consistently update quality metrics that include quality assurance, quality control checklists, templates, and standards to ensure that the entire team remains cognizant and responsive to any changes being made by our client that affect any aspects of the project.
As part of our quality assurance and control process, the team has implemented the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle to plan, perform, monitor, and continually improve the design and communication procedures within our teams based on the project.
Not only do we ensure checking quality is all inclusive, we incorporated a supplementary resource for production work that enables our team lead time to focus on communication to the project architects and also the final step in the QA/QC process before any model or work is submitted to the client for their review. This additional resource in our team decreased the time and effort required from our client as most mistakes and error were already reviewed and corrected before getting to them, thus alleviating the recurring, repetitive redlines. This also creates one point of contact on our team responsible for communication and trickling down details to the rest of the team, ensuring cohesive communication.
There are several reasons why mistakes are made on any project. However, clear planning, processes, procedures, and accurate access to project details through communication create an effective solution to any problems. Our clients have been extremely grateful for the steps we have taken and the changes made, as they have seen significant improvement in our quality and overall development of our design teams.
