Not just a model, but a method for success

Modern construction is more than just technology or well-selected materials. It is, above all, skilful management of information. BIM (Building Information Modelling) allows for risk reduction already at the design stage and then during investment implementation and finally facility management. Thanks to this, all decisions made by investors, designers and contractors are more informed and based on verified data. BIM holds a bright future for the industry, provided we can use it skilfully.

Contrary to popular belief, BIM is not just a tool for creating 3D models, but an entire methodology that improves construction processes. As Marcin Majta, BIM Manager from the NDI Group, emphasizes, BIM is primarily a way to solve problems.

– The models prepared already at the bidding stage contain a huge amount of information. It is crucial that the team can use this data efficiently and quickly, using, among others, Business Intelligence tools. This method allows for the detection of design clashes and conflicts already at the planning stage, which significantly reduces the costs of any possible corrections during the implementation of the project. BIM also allows for better control over material consumption, which is crucial both for budget and ecology.

Better cooperation means better results

One of the key aspects of BIM is improving coordination and communication between design and construction teams. 3D models allow all participants in the construction process to better imagine planned solutions, but also to quickly find potential problems.

– Thanks to BIM, we can not only design, but also redesign elements at the bidding stage, to optimize solutions and reduce risk – explains Marcin Majta.

BIM also improves the management of the construction schedule. A proper use of this method allows the team to respond more quickly to changes and effectively control work progress.

For example, when implementing the Campus Expansion project of the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Kraków, the NDI Group BIM team translates information from models directly into daily activities on the construction site, which significantly streamlines the decision-making process and eliminates delays. Additionally, BIM allows for integration with other tools, such as document management systems or progress monitoring applications.

The use of BIM is also crucial for improving work safety. The ability to quickly report irregularities or send notifications via mobile applications improves the response to threats. – Previously, the inspector had to physically walk around the construction site, take photos, return to the office and write a report, which usually took several hours, but thanks to BIM this process is reduced to a few minutes. Furthermore, BIM ensures consistency of technical documentation. All changes are recorded in the model, reducing the risk of errors caused by the human factor. The data is updated in real time, which allows for making better decisions – the BIM Manager adds.

It is also worth mentioning that thanks to the digitization of construction documentation, inspectors and construction workers have immediate access to all necessary information, which eliminates information chaos.

– There is great potential to develop BIM in our company in terms of cooperation between various departments. This is a process that will certainly take time, but we are already pleased with the results we have achieved thanks to this method in many projects. This is, for example, the Municipal Stadium in Katowice, but also the buildings currently under construction for the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, where cooperation with the Investor and keeping the Investor updated about our activities and effects using BIM methods are very satisfactory. Taking AGH as an example, I can say that before the installation works began, we detected approximately 850 conflicts, mainly in the field of sanitary and electrical systems. Eliminating these issues early on saved valuable time. It is difficult to estimate the value of such savings – how much is one day of downtime on the construction site worth while waiting for a response from the designer? When a problem is only noticed on the construction site, the consequences and costs associated with downtime affect every party of the project.

Together with the team, we are constantly striving to make everything even more efficient – explains Marcin Majta.

What does the future of BIM in Poland depend on?

The key is to convince teams that implementing a new methodology takes time and patience. It is wrong to think that BIM is a cure-all. Despite its numerous advantages, its implementation at construction and design companies is not easy. One of the main problems is the lack of uniform work standards and different levels of knowledge and competence in teams.

– In many design companies, BIM is still not used, which means that contractors have to introduce their own standards and adapt their designs to BIM only at the construction stage. Another problem is resistance to change and the long time it takes to learn new tools. Learning about the BIM method should be standard at universities, so that when coming to work at the construction site one already knows the basics. Then the work takes on a different dimension – explains the specialist.

Despite the challenges, more and more companies are seeing the benefits of using BIM. Improved efficiency, better control over projects, and higher quality and safety of work make BIM a standard in modern construction. Implementing this method in companies is a long-term process, but it is crucial for the future of the industry. There are also long-term benefits, such as savings resulting from eliminating design errors and better budget control.

– From the perspective of the last six years, I can confidently say that my efficiency has increased by about 220%, comparing work based only on traditional methods to working in a 3D environment with the BIM methodology. The most groundbreaking solution was the use of Business Intelligence tools, which enable the analysis of huge amounts of data and a quick response to emerging challenges, and consequently, risk reduction – Marcin Majta sums up.

As digital tools develop, BIM will become more and more common. It is therefore worth investing in education and training to best use the potential of this method and effectively manage the project.

Construction is one of the industries that will benefit the most from digitalization, and BIM is the foundation of this process.