BIM definition & meaning. What is BIM in construction?

Building information modeling (BIM) is becoming more and more critical in modern construction. In many regions, it’s becoming mandatory to ensure that the construction process for any object is efficient and effective at all stages of construction, from planning and design up to the actual building process.

What is BIM?

Building information modeling (BIM) is a highly sophisticated process that takes advantage of vast collaborative possibilities to allow both stakeholders and professionals in various fields to work together within a unified 3D model. It represents a significant change to the way construction projects are conceived, planned, executed, and maintained.

Significance of BIM in modern construction

BIM has rapidly evolved from an innovative technology to an essential business practice in today’s construction landscape. Its ability to address some of the more persistent challenges of the industry is the primary reason for its significance in modern construction workflows:

1. Enhanced collaboration: BIM removes traditional silos between architects, engineers, contractors, and facility managers by bringing in a shared digital workspace where all stakeholders contribute to the same model simultaneously.
2. Improved decision-making: The centralization of project information using a single, accessible model allows BIM to facilitate informed decisions using real-time, accurate information.
3. Risk reduction: The ability to visualize and analyze projects before the construction phase assists teams with the identification of issues and conflicts, making them significantly less expensive to resolve.
4. Lifecycle value: BIM models also continue to provide value throughout the entire lifecycle of a building, which is different from how traditional project delivery methods end at the completion of construction.

Applications of BIM in AEC Projects

While BIM originated in building construction, its applications have expanded beyond the capabilities of a traditional design tool to cover all phases of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) projects. Some of the most noteworthy examples of such applications include:

• Architectural design and visualization
• Engineering coordination and analysis
• Construction management and sequencing
• Facility operations and maintenance

Architectural design and visualization

BIM enables structural engineers to create intelligent 3D models capable of automatically updating calculations, generating detailed drawings, and coordinating with architectural/MEP systems. Architects can visualize spatial relationships, test design alternatives, and generate accurate documentation while coordinating with engineering disciplines in real-time. Complex projects like high-rise buildings use BIM to model intricate steel connections, analyze load paths, and optimize structural elements while ensuring full compliance with building codes.

Modern architectural practice leverages BIM for parametric design, with changes to building elements being automatically propagated throughout the model, enabling the rapid iteration and optimization of designs. The technology supports a range of sustainable design practices via integrated energy analysis and material specifications, helping architects acquire green building certifications and meet increasingly stringent environmental frameworks and requirements.

Engineering coordination and analysis

Engineering disciplines utilize BIM as a means of creating precise, data-rich models with support for the analysis, coordination, and fabrication of structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Structural engineers model complex connections and perform load analysis, while MEP systems benefit from the clash detection capabilities of the system, which identifies conflicts between building systems before installation to prevent potentially expensive field changes and long project delays.

The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow demonstrates the full potential of BIM’s engineering coordination capabilities, managing the complexity of 1,300 rooms while tracking 450 different systems, including lighting, x-ray equipment, electricity, and ventilation. The project relied on BIM to communicate design intent, detect issues, and analyze the future flexibility of the buildings. The technical teams used BIM methodologies to create a rich data model that could visualize designs, manage change, quantify materials, and produce project timelines.

Construction management and sequencing

Construction teams rely on BIM for project planning, sequencing, and on-site coordination, transforming traditional construction management practices into their modern-day alternatives. The ability to integrate construction sequencing information into BIM models enables the visualization of construction progress and in-depth identification of potential issues before they occur. The technology also facilitates prefabrication and modular construction thanks to its ability to offer precise geometric data for off-site manufacturing.

The Kellogg’s Snack Factory in Kutno, Poland showcases the great capabilities of BIM in construction coordination, where the company Blue Projects utilized BIM technology as the means of managing 21,000 square meters of building systems, production equipment, and utilities. The project involved the implementation of comprehensive engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM), with BIM methodology being the primary criterion for the selection of contractors, especially in the detailed engineering and construction stages.

Facility operations and maintenance

BIM also extends beyond the completion of construction, with the ability to support ongoing building operations, maintenance, and space management throughout the facility’s lifecycle. Facility managers use BIM models to access detailed information about building components, such as manufacturer specifications, warranty data, and maintenance schedules. This digital twin approach yields a plethora of advantages, including predictive maintenance,  energy optimization, and efficient space utilization.

London Crossrail, for example, is a project that utilizes BIM for managing over 100 kilometers of tunnels, coordinating underground utilities, geological conditions, and construction sequencing across a multitude of contractors. The project established a common data environment (CDE) to serve as a single source of truth, resulting in both direct cash benefits and a significant reduction of the total annual administrative and IT staff costs. The implementation of BIM enabled a range of environmental benefits through the model’s clash detection, improved carbon efficiency, and waste reduction on the more than 100 separate main contracts involved in the project.

These diverse applications clearly show the core strength of BIM: the ability to centralize project information, enabling collaborative decision-making across all construction disciplines and project phases.

Advantages and shortcomings of BIM

Building information modeling has had an industry-changing effect on the entire field of construction, addressing long-standing challenges but also introducing new complexities. Knowledge of both the substantial advantages and the realistic limitations of implementing BIM is mandatory for organizations that are considering adopting BIM in any form.

Key benefits of BIM implementation

The construction industry faces a large number of unprecedented demands, including compressed schedules, tighter budgets, increased complexity, and growing demands in terms of sustainability. The primary advantages of BIM address these challenges by:

• Ensuring quality using detailed visualization and specification management. Clash detection algorithms identify conflicts between systems automatically, reducing rework and preventing costly field corrections.
• Reducing waste via accurate material quantification and clash detection. The ability to optimize building layouts and system routing reduces material consumption and labor inefficiencies at the same time, contributing to more sustainable construction practices
• Enabling innovation in various areas, including digital twins (predictive maintenance, performance monitoring), 3D printing (complex architectural elements), etc. BIM serves as a technological foundation that helps position organizations at the forefront of construction innovation.
• Accelerating project delivery with improved coordination and prefabrication capabilities. Parallel construction activities are facilitated by BIM’s ability to enable off-site prefabrication and the ability to resolve conflicts before construction reduces field delays.
• Supporting sustainability goals through energy analysis and material usage optimization. Detailed energy simulations assist in building performance optimization, material usage optimization contributes to lower environmental impact, and lifecycle data supports long-term sustainability goals.

How does BIM improve project collaboration?

BIM fundamentally transforms project collaboration, creating a unified digital environment where all stakeholders work simultaneously within the same intelligent model. The ability to enable real-time coordination and communication is a drastic difference between BIM and traditional workflows, because the latter commonly had different disciplines working in isolation and exchanging information through strictly static drawings.

Project collaboration is improved with the introduction of BIM via four primary factors:

• Centralized information sharing, achieved through common data environments that serve as a single source of truth for all project participants. This centralization ensures that everyone is working with the same, up-to-date information, reducing miscommunication and the chances of costly revisions.
• Real-time design coordination allows multiple disciplines to visualize how their work is going to impact other systems immediately. Whenever an engineer modifies an HVAC system, both architects and contractors can see the change immediately, making it significantly easier to adjust plans and designs accordingly.
• Enhanced stakeholder engagement is made possible by BIM’s visualization capabilities, helping non-technical stakeholders gain a better understanding of more complex projects. Clients, facility managers, and even end users experience virtual walkthroughs, providing feedback during the design phase that leads to better-informed decisions and higher client satisfaction.
• Cross-disciplinary problem solving gains a significant boost in efficiency when all team members have the option to visualize issues in 3D environments and collaborate on solutions in real-time. Clash detection tools are an outstanding way to automatically identify conflicts between different building systems, which allows teams to resolve these issues quickly and in collaboration with other disciplines to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Substantial challenges of BIM

Despite its transformative benefits, the implementation of BIM also entails a number of major obstacles that all businesses must carefully consider and address in order to achieve success in their adoption efforts:

• High initial investment cost
• Steep learning curve
• Complexity of technological integration
• Industry resistance to change
• Concerns around data management and security

High initial investment costs

The cost of the initial investment is a major barrier that is most noticeable for smaller businesses. The implementation of BIM requires large investments upfront when it comes to software licenses, hardware expenses, training programs, and workflow reorganization. These costs are often prohibitive for companies that operate on tight margins, and the return-on-investment may take some time to manifest (especially in the learning curve period).

Steep learning curve and training requirements

The combination of a steep learning curve and difficult training requirements challenge organizations in their own way, with BIM representing a fundamental shift from traditional design and construction methods. Team members have to master complex software platforms, gain an understanding of new collaborative workflows, and be able to adapt to data-driven decision-making processes. It is a transition process that requires a long and extensive training regime, with the potential of temporarily reducing productivity while staff develop proficiency.

Complexity of technological integration

The complexity of technological integration when it comes to BIM is most apparent when organizations attempt to integrate BIM tools with existing workflows and software environments. Not all BIM platforms are equally efficient at communicating with other environments, potentially creating data translation issues or even information loss events. Interoperability is an important topic here, as maintaining consistent data formats across project phases is a process that requires substantial training expertise and ongoing management.

Industry resistance to change

Although BIM has been a prominent element of the construction market for many years now, resistance to change is still an issue, as many construction professionals are comfortable with their established methods and remain skeptical of any new and drastic changes. The issue of cultural resistance slows adoption rates down and creates inconsistent implementation across different project teams. Overcoming this issue is possible only with a strong leadership commitment and a clear demonstration of the value proposition of BIM capabilities.

Data management and security concerns

Concerns around data management and security grow in complexity when it comes to BIM, as each model contains massive amounts of information that is often considered project-sensitive. Organizations need to establish robust protocols for version control, data backup, access permissions, and cybersecurity measures in order to overcome this. Dedicated resources and expertise are necessary to be able to manage large BIM-related data masses throughout long project lifecycles while ensuring the security and integrity of all information.

Origins of BIM

Before BIM came into existence, traditional blueprints and drawings helped to express different information about specific building plans. Visualizing exact dimensions and more particular requirements was not an easy task in the borders of this 2D approach, especially as models changed.

When CAD (computer-aided design) became popular, the digitalizing of previously paper-based construction plans came to life. CAD turned 3D and solved one more problem: adding the third dimension to enable more realistic-looking construction plans.

The introduction of BIM in the early 2000s was the beginning of a substantial shift from document-based to data-driven construction processes. Unlike CAD, which simply digitizes drawings, BIM works with intelligent objects that include both geometric and informational data. This evolution in the industry enabled:

• Parametric design, where changes to one element automatically update all related components throughout the project model
• Real-time collaboration, with multiple disciplines working simultaneously on the same model
• Lifecycle integration, to make it possible for project models to be used not just for construction purposes but also for ongoing facility management and maintenance

Today’s BIM capabilities, including 4D scheduling, 5D cost modeling, and others, are the natural development of this evolution. BIM transforms construction from a craft-based industry into a data-driven field that puts a significant emphasis on precision above all else.

Breaking down the core components of BIM technology

One way of understanding the definition of BIM lies in understanding its name, “building information management.” We’ll start with “building” and go further in quick succession.

• Building. This does not just refer to the building in the sense of a structure that has four walls and a roof. BIM is applied to more than traditional buildings, such as to infrastructure, landscaping, civil engineering, and so much more. The definition thus implies that the original purpose of BIM is a process, “building” things.
• Information. The inclusion of “information” in the process and how it is incorporated is what makes the entire process “smart.” As it stands, every project comes with a variety of different information and data types, and bringing all of that information into one place, making it accessible, and managing it in real-time is what the “information” in BIM is all about.
• Modeling. Modeling essentially means building the entire project from the ground up before starting the actual construction. This is the direct answer to the question “What is BIM modeling?” A detailed and efficient model of a building should be used not only as a reference for the construction phase but also for the building’s owners long after the construction process is complete.

What are BIM objects?

BIM itself works with specific components called BIM objects. BIM objects are the fundamental components of a BIM model. Each of them has specific geometry and unique data. A change in one of these objects results in changes to the entire model to accommodate the difference in parameters, allowing BIM models to be more accurate throughout the entire construction process.

These subsequent changes make it much easier for experts in various fields – architects, engineers, designers, contractors, and so on – to participate in the construction process without disturbing the work of others.

How information is shared in BIM environments

Information about different BIM objects and models is shared within a specific environment called a common data environment (CDE). Data that has been transferred into the CDE is called an “information model.” These models can be used at any stage of the construction process, from planning and initial project set-up to the final stages of construction and even later renovations.

This in-depth approach to information is one of the foundational principles of BIM. The most important and useful feature of BIM is the information exchanged, since it is not simply data that is used only once – it is actionable in its own right.

Various specialists use this data to reduce coordination mishaps, provide useful insights for the future, express the intent needed for the construction, improve the overall accuracy of the project, and so much more.

BIM levels: from 0 to 8D

It would be unfair to assume that all companies are suddenly going to adopt BIM as their primary construction/planning method and utilize it to its full extent, especially without knowing the definition of BIM construction. That is why there are different levels of BIM. Each of these levels entails a particular level of effectiveness of the various information technologies used in the construction process.

What is BIM level 0?

Level 0 is the first level of BIM. The “zero” in the name represents the amount of cooperation and collaboration in BIM, – meaning that there is no collaboration at all. The most common features of being at BIM level 0 are using 2D CAD (not 3D) and using digital prints and drawings as the primary option for various projects and plans. While there are still many professionals who are uneasy about changing their set-in-stone construction principles, it is safe to say that most of the industry today is above level 0 when it comes to collaboration and building information management.

What is BIM level 1?

Level 1 is the current level of collaboration for the majority of construction firms and entails the use of 3D CAD for concepts but still utilizing only 2D CAD for production information drafts and subsequent documentation. This level is covered by the BS 1192:2007 Standard, where it is normal for only the contractor to have access to the data from the CDE. At this level, each stakeholder has their own siloed data that they publish and manage, and the amount of collaboration is low.

What is BIM level 2?

Level 2 is also quite widespread, primarily because it was made mandatory by the UK government for use on all publicly tendered projects. At this level, 3D CAD is used by all participating team members. However, challenges arise because different models are used by different groups of specialists. One of the biggest changes at this level is the use of common file formats.

At this level, stakeholders are required to exchange information using a shared standard file format. Combining data in the same file formats yields several advantages, including reducing costs, saving time, and so on. At the same time, the necessity of using a common file format does mean that the CAD software must be capable of working with specific file formats, like COBie (Construction Operations Building Information Exchange) or IFC (Industry Foundation Classes).

What is BIM level 3?

Level 3 is where BIM demonstrates its full capabilities. There is no separation of 3D models, but one model for everyone to work from, the direct answer to the question “What is BIM technology-wise?” This 3D BIM model needs to exist in an accessible, shared environment. This environment is called “Open BIM” and serves as an additional level of protection against the clashing of different decisions in the middle of project planning, among other things.

BIM, as an industry standard, is here to stay. There is a clear list of benefits that come from implementing it, and a lot of its supposed disadvantages come from the conservative side of the market that does not want to implement new technology and change with the industry.

Talk of different “dimensions” higher than level 3 of BIM is still in its early stages. The degree of pushback is lower than it was before, but it is still present and connected with the way BIM introduces significant changes into established workflows and processes. With that being said, it is useful to know what the rest of these terms mean.

What is 4D BIM?

4D BIM entails 4-dimensional work in the BIM environment, essentially adding the fourth “dimension” – time – to the three dimensions already known. The idea of 4D BIM revolves around project participants being able to interact with different activities in the process of construction in general, including:

• Risk mitigation
• Activity monitoring
• Sequencing of physical activities
• Critical path visualization as a consequence of a series of events, and more.

4D BIM is represented as a modification of traditional Gantt charts or CPM schedules. There are occasionally examples of this type of technique being used with larger projects, but they are limited due to the costs associated with implementing it. Still, the overall progress of BIM technology is gradually making it easier for 4D development to be used in other areas, like manufacturing processes and so on.

What is 5D BIM?

5D BIM is even more complex. It takes an already complicated 4-dimensional project image and integrates it with various cost-related information, thus making cost the “5th dimension” of BIM. There is potential to improve different aspects of BIM with this technique regardless of scale. The idea is still in the early stages of introduction to the public, so it might be a while before both time and cost can be considered separate dimensions in the context of BIM.

What is 6D BIM?

6D, as a “dimension” of BIM, represents the interaction between the classical 3D components and all of the aspects that comprise the project’s lifecycle. The 6D model is often used as the final representation of a construction project when it is officially completed. It comes in the form of a BIM model populated with a plethora of building-related information, including warranty data, manufacturer info, specifications, manuals, and other details that might be useful in the process of the subsequent use of the building throughout the years.

Help with the operation and maintenance of the final facility is the main purpose of this kind of model. It is less commonly used in the UK and is often replaced with either asset information requirements (AIR) or asset information models (AIM).

What is 7D BIM?

7D BIM is a dimension focused on facility management from the standpoint of owners and building managers. 7D BIM allows for easier tracking of asset data, such as warranty information, maintenance manuals, technical specifications, and even an up-to-date building status. The unique part of 7D BIM is that it combines all information related to facility management as a process and puts it in the same location as part of the BIM model.

7D BIM greatly improves the quality of facility management services throughout the entire lifecycle of a project, from the time it is handed over to the day it has to be demolished. Performing various repair tasks and replacing specific parts is a lot easier with 7D BIM, and it even has the ability to monitor the effectiveness of various maintenance procedures performed on the building.

What is 8D BIM?

8D BIM is a dimension that not enough market participants use to the proper degree. It adds a “health and safety” dimension. This is an incredibly important issue in the construction industry specifically, given the construction field’s reputation for harmful accidents on-site.

8D BIM is essentially an advanced version of a risk analysis process that focuses all of its efforts on predicting every single problem with the structure that may cause human injuries. The construction phase of the project is one of the most important parts of 8D BIM, since this is where most harmful accidents tend to happen.

With 8D BIM, it should be possible to fix potentially problematic places on-site and make sure that construction workers are aware of issues that cannot be resolved beforehand. 8D BIM is initiated relatively early in the project creation process, as early as the design phase. It would also be smart to re-evaluate the situation multiple times afterward to make sure that the influx of new information does not create new locations for potential accidents.

Direct comparison of levels and dimensions of BIM

To simplify the comparison between the various levels of BIM, we have prepared a simple table that showcases the primary benefits and shortcomings of each option above:

Why adopt different levels of BIM?

Knowledge of the levels of BIM is paramount for organizations that want to implement effective construction management strategies. Each level stands as a strategic advancement in the way project information is managed, shared, and utilized. This choice alone affects the entirety of the project lifecycle, from initial design to construction and long-term facility operations.

The progression through the levels of BIM has a direct correlation with improved project efficiency and risk reduction. The lower levels (0-1) focus on basic digitization and individual productivity goals, while the higher levels (2-3) place a much bigger emphasis on collaborative workflows and integrated decision-making. Advanced dimensions from 4D and beyond serve as extensions of these capabilities, building upon the previous dimensions to provide more specialized features and benefits such as cost management, scheduling, facility operations, etc.

Most businesses adopt levels of BIM in an incremental fashion, which allows teams to build competency while gradually accessing greater benefits. This staged approach enables businesses to transform from traditional, document-focused processes into modern data-driven operations with support for informed decision-making. The key to selecting the most appropriate level is knowing the current project complexity, organizational readiness, and especially the desired outcomes, whether they are about cost control, the improvement of coordination, or long-term asset management.

BIM standards

Of course, BIM as a whole would not have become so popular and effective without specific standards. It is worth mentioning that several countries have region-specific standards when it comes to BIM. Still, it is possible to identify a number of standards that are accepted and well-known internationally. These standards define the information structure of BIM, BIM processes, and so on.

• ISO 23386:2020 – “Building Information Modeling and other digital processes used in construction – Methodology to describe, author and maintain properties in interconnected data dictionaries.”
• ISO 16739-1:2018 – “Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) for data sharing in the construction and facility management industries – Part 1: Data schema.”
• ISO 19650-1:2018 – “Organization and digitization of information about buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling (BIM) – Information management using building information modelling – Part 1: Concepts and principles.”
• ISO 12006-2:2015 – “Building construction – Organization of information about construction works – Part 2: Framework for classification.”

As we have mentioned, some countries use these international standards as the baseline for their BIM regulations. For example, the UK BIM Framework relies on the ISO 19650 series standards to create its ruleset for this specific industry, UK PAS 1192 series.

BIM certifications and professional development

Professional BIM certifications have grown in value significantly over the years as the technology has become more popular and widespread. There are many different recognized programs that help practitioners validate their expertise and even advance their careers. The Associated General Contractors BIM education series, buildingSMART’s Professional Certification, Revizto Expert Certification, and Autodesk’s BIM specialization programs are just a few examples of frameworks built specifically for BIM purposes. These programs usually cover the fundamentals of BIM, as well as software proficiency, collaborative workflows, and the integration of project management, offering comprehensive skill developments that employers are always on the lookout for.

The benefits of certification extend beyond individual career advancements, as well, improving organizational capabilities and influencing project success. Certified professionals demonstrate proficiency with industry-standard tools and methodologies, which enables more effective project coordination with reduced risks of implementation. Experts with BIM project certifications are either preferred or required in many cases already, especially in markets where the adoption of BIM is mandated by large clients or government agencies. This creates demand for clear career progression paths and salary premiums for certified professionals across the entire architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) spectrum.

The certification landscape continues to evolve as BIM technology grows and changes. Emerging specializations include sustainability analysis, the integration of reality capture, and facility management applications. All three of these reflect the expanding role of BIM throughout project lifecycles.

Professional development in BIM is a strategic investment for both individual experts and organizations, offering competitive advantages in a field that is becoming increasingly digital at an impressive pace while supporting the broader transformation toward more efficient and data-driven approaches to project delivery.

BIM misconceptions

Surprisingly enough, there are a lot of misconceptions about BIM, many of which might be the primary factors impacting adoption. Here are some of the largest misconceptions about BIM:

• BIM is an all-in-one solution that works right out of the box
• BIM is just an evolution of CAD as a design tool
• BIM is for architects only

Misconception #1: “BIM is an all-in-one solution that works right out of the box”

This misconception is not as widespread as the others, but it is present nonetheless. Many people think that BIM software works at its full capacity from the get-go. While it is true that a lot of BIM software is deployable and functional in a short amount of time, the only thing gained immediately is 3D modeling, and that is it.

The BIM construction process revolves around changing and adapting the majority of existing processes to accommodate the innovative way that BIM implements information and collaboration into every aspect of the process. It is not an easy process, either, but the payoff is worth it in the long run.

Misconception #2: “BIM is just an evolution of CAD as a design tool”

While it is true that one of the main purposes of BIM is 3D modeling – just like CAD – it is important to know the distinction between the two. 3D modeling is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the vast number of different BIM features, including interaction, collaboration, project delivery, taking advantage of the information available for each project, and so on. It is possible to create a perfectly fine 3D CAD model with BIM software, but the use of 3D CAD software does not offer the majority of BIM’s advantages.

It is also essential to draw a clear line between a 3D model that is created using CAD software and a BIM object. The former usually includes nothing but geometrical information about the real-life object and is created with nothing but regular CAD tools. The latter is a 3D object with a plethora of other important information about the object, such as comprehensive technical information.

BIM objects are necessary so that the 3D modeling process is as close to real-life situations as possible. Otherwise, there is no point in modeling projects in the first place. Including technical and other information also makes it far easier to detect clashes between different objects and predict other potential conflicts as early as the project’s design stage.

Misconception #3: “BIM is for architects only”

This is a common misconception about most “design tools”, not just BIM. A big project of a skyscraper in the middle of the city is an obvious example of the use of almost every design tool, but it is not just that – far from it. “What is BIM in architecture?” is quite a common question, as well, but it is much more complicated than that.

One thing that might have added fuel to this fire is the fact that both the construction and architecture industries were the first to adopt BIM, and this might be the reason why people think that BIM deals only with buildings.

In actuality, BIM is adaptable enough to work with a large variety of different structures, including road engineering, rail engineering, subway architecture, energy structures, civil engineering, and more.

Economic impact of BIM adoption

BIM offers substantial benefits throughout the construction industry, with a variety of studies consistently demonstrating substantial ROI for organizations that embrace the technology. Research by Stanford University’s Center for Integrated Facilities Engineering found that the implementation of BIM reduces project costs by up to 10% while decreasing project delivery time by up to 7% and eliminating ~40% of unbudgeted changes. These savings are the result of improved coordination, reduced rework, boosted prefabrication capabilities, and more accurate quantity takeoffs to minimize material waste and labor inefficiency.

The economic impact of the technology extends beyond individual projects to create an industry-wide transformation. The government mandate in the UK for BIM Level 2 on public projects was driven by projected savings of ~15-20% on capital costs. PwC research on the topic that came out later stated that the potential annual savings from the Level 2 mandate could reach up to £400 million for government construction projects alone. Organizations tend to see significant ROIs depending on project complexity and the maturity of implementation, with bigger and more sophisticated projects yielding higher results due to the ability of BIM to manage intricate coordination challenges.

The long-term economic advantages also include improved facility management and operational efficiency throughout building lifecycles. BIM models serve as digital twins supporting predictive maintenance, energy optimization, and space management with substantial financial benefits. Additionally, the collaboration improvements and reduction of project risk from BIM implementation create competitive advantages for companies in the field, enabling them to pursue larger, more profitable endeavours while building strong client relationships due to substantial improvements in project reliability.

What is Revit and its connection to BIM?

On the topic of misconceptions, it is also important to mention Revit and how it is connected to BIM. Autodesk Revit is a good example of comprehensive software for building information modeling. It allows architects, engineers, contractors, and designers to collaborate with each other and exchange information with high efficiency.

Revit is often associated directly with the term “BIM,” and there is some truth to this, but the reality is somewhat more complicated. Revit is an example of what a BIM solution should be capable of on the highest level (working with massive enterprises and complex projects). It sets an example for other software providers in the field, and some might even say that it is one of the most popular BIM solutions on the market. This popularity is a big reason why BIM has so much association with Revit. However, there are plenty of differences between the two, as well.

What are Revit’s capabilities?

Revit creates the information-rich models that BIM is famous for. These models are made out of objects, where every single detail of a building, be it a door, a window, or even a wall is considered an object, a combination of a visual representation and a variety of real-life parameters, including physical dimensions, materials, and so on.

Revit presents its information in three different ways: 2D models, 3D models, and schedules. It performs advanced clash detection, offers extensive scheduling capabilities, and is compatible with many different formats. Its functionality is extendable via API access, and most of its interface is customizable however a customer sees fit.

Another important factor of BIM is data centralization. The use of Revit’s features creates a single source of “truth” for all project participants at once. This model is constantly updated with up-to-date information so that there is no miscommunication based on outdated data.

Revit is a very powerful solution in and of itself, but it is not everything that is needed for a modern-day construction project. Solutions such as CAD software (AutoCAD), analytical software, and visualization software (Photoshop, 3ds Max) have their own important spots in every project, just as Revit has its own important spot – the spot of a BIM solution.

At the end of the day, Revit is just software. It is very effective and feature-rich software, of course, but it is still only a piece of software. BIM, on the other hand, is not a specific solution or platform – it is a method, a different approach to project management. BIM is the foundational concept Revit was built and expanded upon, turning a theoretical approach to information management into a practical solution for use with real-life projects.

BIM lifecycle

The fact that BIM is beneficial to the entire project lifecycle presented in the diagram below. It is used to show how many things are much more convenient and practical with the inclusion of BIM in these processes. Knowing what BIM technology is, it is easy to see why BIM is considered a cornerstone of digital transformation for a number of industries, including facility management, building management, the AEC industry, and the commercial real estate field, to name a few.

This influence is relatively apparent since these industries gain many benefits from accurate, timely, and convenient information about their subject. Combine that with how data is now considered an organization’s most important resource, and it is easy to see how BIM has become such an influence on the entire construction industry.

BIM case studies: successful implementations

Real-world applications demonstrate the transformative impact of BIM across a diverse range of project types. In this section, we take several examples of case studies from Revizto’s portfolio to show how BIM technology enables complex projects to overcome unique challenges while providing measurable benefits.

St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station

The $45 million, 120,000-square-foot St. Louis Aquarium is a remarkable BIM success story. It is the transformation of a National Historic Landmark from 1894 into a modern aquatic facility. McCarthy Building Companies leveraged BIM technology to navigate the complex challenge of working with intricate aquarium systems within historic structural constraints.

The project featured over three miles of piping systems acting as life support for various tanks, as well as 1,552 square feet of permanent acrylic panels and separate systems for fresh and salt water. BIM enabled precise coordination in tight spaces, while historic preservation requirements prevented modifications to certain structural elements. The technology made it possible for project teams to plan custom-built piping assemblies and smaller equipment installations before full-on construction began to ensure the seamless integration of complex mechanical systems.

Munich Airport Terminal 1 Extension

4Project GmbH integrated Revizto into their existing BIM workflows for the Munich Airport T1E building expansion, offering a demonstration of BIM capabilities in large-scale infrastructure projects. The project itself involved an extension of the current Terminal 1’s size with a new pier spanning 360 meters and up to 12 aircraft gates.

BIM technology made real-time collaboration among stakeholders possible, with seamless integration between different design tools like Revit and ArchiCAD. The project relied on point cloud integration and collision detection to deliver high-quality models and reduce the total number of errors. BIM created a single source of truth by comparing the actual construction conditions and planned conditions, facilitating accurate documentation and informed decision-making for the entire duration of the project.

BIM adoption and construction industry trends

The influence of widespread BIM adoption has generated a number of “waves” in the construction industry, starting new trends and pushing the existing trends towards actualization. Knowing what BIM is in the first place, it is easy to see how it has spawned so many changes and new trends. In fact, there are so many of these trends that they are segregated into a separate list:

BIM and artificial intelligence

It is relatively common to see BIM models collect large masses of information throughout an entire project from start to finish. This information is useful for the project itself, and it also becomes a learning experience for future projects. However, this kind of information is often rather tricky to interpret and analyze manually, which is where AI assistance comes in. The use of artificial intelligence for BIM analysis purposes is the first upcoming trend on this list, offering much faster and more efficient data analysis when compared with manual analytical methods. BIM data is also used to help AI learn patterns and identify potential issues with much higher accuracy than ever before.

Real-time information access

Using BIM as a single unified source of information for the entire project is already a trend, offering massive advantages over traditional data-sharing methods. The use of cloud services for accessibility purposes in BIM makes it far easier to collaborate, solve issues and figure out specific project details, resulting in fewer delays, better performance, and more.

3D printing and BIM

As 3D printing is being tested in many different applications worldwide, it is only natural for 3D printing to be tested in the construction industry, as well. There are multiple reports of entire houses created with nothing but 3D printing, and the advantages of the technology are tremendous. The material for 3D printing in building construction includes cement, recycled materials and even leftovers from traditional construction processes. 3D printing in the construction industry drastically reduces construction waste, improves recycling as a whole, and offers even more architectural freedom than ever before – and creating something as complex as a house using 3D printing would be impossible without comprehensive information-rich BIM models.

BIM for sustainability

Sustainability and energy efficiency have been trends for a while now, and it is only natural for the construction industry to be involved as well. Stricter and stricter construction regulations are accepted every year, and there are already many sustainable construction certifications that focus on the sustainability of different project types (GreenBuilding, LEED, BREEAM, etc.). However, creating building-sized sustainable objects requires a lot of precise calculations, something that BIM will always be better at compared with manual labor. BIM helps in reducing emissions, selecting more sustainable materials, analyzing the future lifecycle of the project, and more.

Digital twins

The concept of the digital twin sounds extremely useful on paper, and it is already making its way towards being a regular occurrence in the construction industry. The idea behind the concept is the very core of BIM: a centralized source of information about the project in the form of a 3D model. However, a digital twin of a project also develops alongside the actual building using various technologies and information sources. A digital twin uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to provide handy insights into the project’s present and future state. It should also be possible for BIM models to accept facility management information and be scalable enough to cover an entire city and not just one building. However, this advancement is still waiting for us in the future.

Legality of digital models

Another emerging trend for BIM technology is the official recognition of BIM models on the same level as classic project documentation in the 2D PDF format. This recognition is necessary for BIM to become even more of a standard for the industry as a whole, with the ability to turn BIM into a common practice in the near future.

Robotics and BIM

The existence of incredibly accurate centralized information about the project as a whole makes it far easier for the industry to start moving towards the next obvious step of the construction industry evolution: using robotics to create buildings. Robots are not yet very common in the construction industry, but the introduction and widespread popularity of BIM will make it a lot easier to move from fantasy to reality.

Modular construction and prefabrication

BIM technology offers many different advantages, but its main benefit in the form of consistent and detailed information about the project is already enough to spawn a variety of trends and tendencies in the field. Another example is modular construction and prefabrication, both of which have gained a lot of traction since BIM became so popular. Manufacturing relies a lot on the accuracy of preexisting information, which usually makes it difficult to fabricate entire sections of a structure beforehand. However, BIM and the accuracy of its information have practically solved this problem, allowing both prefabrication and modular construction to rise in popularity with tremendous speed.

Augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality in BIM technology

All three of these technologies are extremely useful in the construction industry, and only the introduction of BIM and its accuracy in data have made this possible in the first place.

• Augmented reality is used on-site to add digital information to real-life construction sites, making it easier to plan different parts of the project, such as the ventilation, the plumbing, and so on.
• Virtual reality, on the other hand, allows users to traverse the 3D model itself before it is created with the help of special VR goggles. It is used for both construction and promotional purposes, offering its users accuracy and a level of detail that is extremely close to how the entire project will look in reality.
• Mixed reality combines the two. It uses a highly detailed virtual project model (often derived directly from a BIM model) and anchors it to the real-world location, allowing actual traversal on-site to make it easier to understand what different parts of the future building will look like.

Conclusion

BIM is a highly sophisticated process that takes time to reach its full potential. BIM technology is still relatively new, and its advantages are becoming more evident as more companies adopt it. It is important to remember that adapting to BIM is not an instantaneous process, but the return is worth it. So, what is BIM in construction? There are the added benefits of cooperation and collaboration, the overall ease of interaction and the inclusion of different details in the project, and so much more – the advantages of BIM are nearly endless.

There is a final common advantage of progressing: the overarching goal of reducing waste in the construction process. By eliminating or severely decreasing the possibility of construction errors with BIM, companies waste less time and building materials reworking errors. In the end, BIM directly impacts supply chain inefficiencies, making the entire project and process more efficient and sustainable.

Key takeaways

• BIM is a collaborative process integrating various disciplines via a shared 3D model.
• Understanding the different levels of BIM assists organizations with figuring out their own capabilities and planning for future improvements.
• Standards like ISO 19650 offer a framework for effective information management in BIM.
• Addressing common misconceptions helps improve the process of the adoption of different BIM practices.
• Tools like Autodesk Revit and Revizto play their own important roles in the overarching implementation of BIM methodologies.

Frequently asked questions

What does “BIM” mean?

BIM stands for “building information modeling.” It is a collaborative process that creates and manages digital representations of both the physical and functional characteristics of buildings and infrastructure. BIM integrates 3D modeling capabilities into a comprehensive project data framework to allow for better decision-making throughout the complete project lifecycle.

How is BIM different from CAD?

While CAD focuses primarily on creating 2D drawings and basic 3D models using only geometric information, BIM forms intelligent objects containing both visual and data-rich information related to real-world building components. BIM also puts significant emphasis on collaboration and information sharing, while CAD is usually about individual design work and limited data integration capabilities.

What are BIM’s main benefits?

BIM’s primary advantages include:

• Reduced project costs achieved with better coordination and fewer construction errors
• Improved accuracy via clash detection and visualization
• Enhanced collaboration among project stakeholders

At the same time, BIM offers ongoing value throughout the entirety of a building’s lifecycle by supporting maintenance planning, facility management, and future renovation projects.

What are the levels of BIM and how many levels exist?

The levels of BIM range from Level 0 (no collaboration, no 3D CAD) to Level 3 (full collaboration with model sharing), as well as extended dimensions of BIM from 4D to 8D and beyond, which add specialized capabilities like cost management and safety planning. Each level of BIM represents an increase in the sophistication of collaboration, data integration, and project management capabilities.

Is BIM mandatory in construction?

BIM has become mandatory for many government and public sector projects in a range of countries, including the UK, Singapore, and several European nations. It is also growing in popularity each year, becoming the de-facto industry standard due to the sheer range of benefits it offers (even in regions where its use is not mandated).