Builders and Contractors Exchange
Weekly Bulletin: 30 MAY 2008
Building Information Modeling - An Integrated Project Delivery Approach
By: George M. Nicholos
Buzz terms "Building Information Modeling (BIM)" and "Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)" are appearing with ever increasing frequency and finding their way into the daily vocabulary of the Architecture, Construction and Engineering trades. BIMs rely on advanced software that allows the design process to proceed at an early stage by constructing three dimensional designs with detailed quantity and data attributes. In their most advanced form, these models are intended to be shared with engineers and contractors through the interoperability of software, to provide an integrated form of Project Delivery; in contrast to our present day two dimensional construction documents and companion specifications which are distributed as progress sets. The promise of BIM and IPD is the ability to share more information earlier in the design process and thereby afford greater opportunity for participant parties to discover conflicts and avoid costly corrective measures. Better coordination and better communication with less conflict and subsequent litigation is the goal.
There is no doubt that the construction industry is moving in this direction; faster in some geographic areas than others. In their noblest form, BIMs are simply software tools designed to allow both image and informational attributes to be shared in an integrated method of project delivery. The participants will likely remain the same, complete with their own unique interests and motives in the delivery of a project. However, where the promise of an integrated method of project delivery seeks to reduce conflict through increased shared responsibilities in the delivery of a project, it is these same shared responsibilities which if not clearly defined will spawn a whole new area of conflict. The success of BIM/IPD projects will ultimately turn on the clarity of the agreements which these projects are based upon and which minimize these new shared uncertainties as much as possible.
While some new contract documents have been recently released such as the American Institute of Architecture's C106 and E201, that address digital data licensing agreements and digital data protocols which are key to an integrated project approach, great care should be taken to expressly identify the responsibilities of each party. Clearly defined responsibilities are a must to foster an atmosphere of collaboration instead of blame originating from unclear contractual responsibilities. Mistakes and errors will always be present in the delivery of a construction project. But in a BIMs world, while some conflicts will be spotted sooner and avoided, others inevitably will slip by and be propagated by third parties in an even faster manner than today. Careful foresight in the drafting of modern agreements that specifically address the integrated project approach are key to a successful project and continued relationships among project team members.
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This article is meant to bring awareness to this topic and is not intended to be used as legal advice.