Confident in your BIM Deliverable?

How confident you are in the data and integrity of your Building Information Model (BIM)? And how confident you are in the integrity of the data and model accuracy when sharing your BIM with others on the project including the client?

What's your Model Confidence Level?

Model confidence can vary according to the skills of your project team, specifically your model content developer’s skills and abilities in being able to meet what the project demands. These factors greatly impact the level of model confidence you may have and the Level of Development (LOD) of the BIM as required.

A high level of confidence is required for projects that require a high level of complexity and data management such as hospitals, industrial facilities, high-rise buildings, etcetera. Having a high level of model confidence is critical to any organization wanting to mitigate risk (which is everyone).

Developing model confidence requires four key points.

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•        Skill. The ability and knowledge to build the model accurately and confidently. An accurately built model (built in accordance to the required LOD) provides confidence in the model and the data. A poorly constructed model with missing elements, inaccurate assemblies, poor modeling standards, and practice, does not instill confidence in your model. Modeling skills can be addressed by assessing your staff's abilities and addressing weaknesses in skills and knowledge (skill gap analysis).

•       Standards. Model standards and best practices provide your staff with guidance and direction. Integrating standards into the workflow will guide the project modeling team in how to model accurately and establish a level of consistency across the organization.

• QAQC Process. Having great modelers and great standards are not enough. To stand behind your product you need to be able to verify that you meet a minimum quality standard. A process of verification through checklists needs to be implemented, also critical is the assurance that the flow of Information meets the intended recipients, a clear workflow can facilitate both requirements. A QAQC process should be integral to the project delivery workflow. Often a project may have its own project specific QAQC requirements which should be taken into consideration.

• Project Requirements. What the project demands should be figured out early in the project and well documented as part of the Project Execution Plan. Caution should be taken to not over model or under model, both will impact not only the quality of the project but also the profitability of the project.

These four elements are integral to establishing an organization's high level of model confidence. From the junior modeler to the CEO, Model Confidence is the responsibility of all and is key to the success (reputation) of any organization.