2013 A Giant Leap Forward for openbim

Transcription

1 December 2013 Issue 10 Official Publication of the buildingsmart UK User Group 2013 A Giant Leap Forward for openbim In this issue: Page 3 Page 6 Page 10 Page 12 The Rise of the User in the Development of Processes, Standards and Technologies Value Propositions and Milestones The buildingsmart UK Focus IFC/COBie Trials Industry Day 12 th November 2013 As the regular publication of the buildingsmart UK User Group, OPEN BIM Focus features all aspects of BIM including theory, planning, implementation, mandatory requirements and case studies. Articles and features are written in a clear and concise style, without the use of unnecessary or unexplained jargon. OPEN BIM Focus is aimed at intelligent professionals within construction and related industries at all levels from the most senior to operator. 3 OPEN BIM Focus 2013

2 From January 2014, the activities of the OPEN BIM Network will continue under the name of the buildingsmart UK User Group. The undoubted success of the OPEN BIM Network in engaging with industry and providing a voice that can define and influence open protocols and business processes backed up by the IFC/COBie Trials; combined with the extensive resources available from buildingsmart, BRE and Constructing Excellence, make the timing perfect. buildingsmart International has appointed Richard Petrie as its CEO designate. Richard has shared buildingsmart International s forward plans for the development of open standards with specific target groups, (see article on Value Propositions and Milestones ). IFC/COBie Trial achievements are further endorsed with the news that the Trial Template (see article on The buildingsmart UK Focus ), is to be deployed internationally. Time for everyone involved so far to take a well-deserved bow. So that s it for Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all OPEN BIM Focus readers! If you have any comments or would like to be more involved with open BIM, please editor@openbimfocus.com. Janette Jellings Editor 2 OPEN BIM Focus 2013

3 Issue 10 The Rise of the User in the Development of Processes, Standards and Technologies Everyone in the AEC industry is suffering from its highly fragmented nature and the multitude of different processes that exist. In buildingsmart we believe that focusing on standardising processes/ work-flows/ procedures is key to unlocking the true benefits that BIM offers. In a move that underpins the key messages OPEN BIM Focus has promoted since its inception in summer 2012, buildingsmart International has articulated its intention to put business process at the forefront of its activity and to use it as the primary driver for technology development. Richard Petrie Chief Executive Designate buildingsmart So what does this mean? Users those who carry out the work - will play a central role in developing solutions that improve how industry actually works. It has been acknowledged that the way forward is not to develop standards and technologies in isolation and to present them as a fait accompli. A pioneering example of this approach in practice was demonstrated at the IFC/COBie Trials Industry Day, held in October Further detail of this event is reported later in this issue of OPEN BIM Focus. These and similar trials will be crucial to getting BIM to work successfully across industry, in the most cost effective way. Construction companies do not want to compete on the basis of COBie implementation, nor do they want or can afford to develop standardised processes in isolation. Working together in well organised structured trials can provide the mechanism to work out and agree the most efficient way to approach specific processes. It is extremely important that trial outputs include solutions that benefit all and do not just conclude with a list of issues. 3 OPEN BIM Focus 2013

4 buildingsmart Standards buildingsmart provides an international standards architecture or framework to allow the AEC industry to capture and communicate processes and data with four main elements: 1. Methodology to describe processes: buildingsmart Processes, Information Delivery Manual (IDM) ISO and ISO IDM is the buildingsmart standard for processes. It specifies when certain types of information are required during the construction of a project or the operation of a built asset. It also provides detailed specification of the information that a particular user (architect, building services engineer etc) needs to provide at a point in time and groups together information that is needed in associated activities. 2. Data models to transport the information: buildingsmart Data Model, Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) ISO 16739:2013 and BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) The IFC data model is an open, neutral and standardised specification for Building Information Modelling (BIM). Essentially, this makes it possible to hold and exchange data between different proprietary software applications giving users the ability to select products on the basis of their needs rather than the ability to communicate with other platforms. In practice, the BCF standard specifies means by which designers and other stakeholders are able to relate messages, action items, viewpoints and snapshots to specific components in a model and transmit them to others. The receiving party then uses this information in their own BIM Authoring Tool to identify and locate the component(s) and view them from the same viewpoint that the sender had established. 3. Standardised mapping of terms: buildingsmart Data Dictionary (bsdd or IFD) ISO In its simplest form the bsdd is a mechanism that allows for the creation of multilingual dictionaries or ontologies. It is a reference library intended to support improved interoperability in the building and construction industry and is one of the core components of the buildingsmart data standards programme. 4. Methodology and technology to transform process requirements into technical requirements: buildingsmart Processes, Model View Definition (MVD) ISO The MVD defines a subset of the IFC schema that is needed to satisfy one or many Exchange Requirements of the AEC industry. The method used by buildingsmart to define such Exchange Requirements is IDM. buildingsmart is set to become far more user led in developing standards. It will also use forward trials as a mechanism to inform other standards bodies in respect of requirements falling under their remit. 4 OPEN BIM Focus 2013

5 A template for success If improvements are to be made in ways of working with BIM, trials need to deliver solutions in the form of agreed best practice. To protect the value invested in creating these solutions, they need to be captured both for buildingsmart standards and for integration into other BIM standards bodies. Using the IFC/COBie Trials as a template, buildingsmart UK will develop processes which are open, neutral and rigorous. These will facilitate the trials and ensure the capture, publication and development of ensuing standards. buildingsmart will provide the mechanism and overview to capture these outputs nationally and ensure their integration with the growing international demand for process alignment. Who needs to be involved? For the field trial approach to be successful, a wide range of stakeholders need to be involved. This is because in the real world they have to work together. The list must therefore include clients, owner/developers, contractors, consultants, supply chains and vendors. Focusing activities While it is acknowledged that a series of trials, together with an effective feedback system from projects, can capture outputs that will inform standards, it is vital that supporting these is a mechanism to ensure that systematic consideration is given on where to focus activity. This premise is explored in the next article. 5 OPEN BIM Focus 2013

6 Value Propositions and Milestones For successful development and adoption of new business processes and standards, there has to be a good reason to act. It is therefore very important, at the outset, to identify the value for stakeholders and to set realistic milestones that facilitate realisation of this value. This approach will encourage: Building commercial support Engagement with the growing momentum within governments, clients and industry Communication with non-technical audiences Value Proposition a promise of value to be delivered and a belief from stakeholders that value will be experienced. Milestone an event or achievement that marks an important stage in a process. This article explains buildingsmart International s assessment of the current value propositions and reveals the realistic milestones being set to ensure achievement of the benefits of change. Value Proposition by Target Group 1. Clients governments, major owner/developers, building regulators The main value proposition for clients is the supply of quality information in digital and standardised formats. This is turn will enable more efficient management of the built asset, allow comparison between similar assets for performance evaluation, make possible integration of asset information into the wider or multiple projects (syndicated development) and provide inputs into integrated schemes (big data). As the drive and finance behind the project, clients are critical to the successful wider adoption of BIM. However, they need to drive the process. This requires a better understanding of what BIM is (and is not) and clear definition/communication of project requirements at the outset of any project, (Employer s Information Requirements, EIR). Return on Investment (ROI) is dependent on the size of the build programme, but savings over the entire life cycle of the asset need to be included in any assessment. 2. Contractors Successful BIM deployment enables lead contractors to realise improved profitability. There are numerous ways in which this can be achieved in a typical project. These can be summarised as reduced risk, increased predictability, more efficient project delivery and improvement to most aspects of project management. UK government strategy identifies that the push towards collaborative BIM will be led by the contractor. This means that their role is core to the identification and development of the standards that define correct development of BIM Execution Plans. ROI is realised by achieving a more efficient pre-construction phase and better predictability/cost/design certainty during the construction phase. 6 OPEN BIM Focus 2013

7 3. Team Working clients, contractors, consultants, supply chain BIM enables integrated working a collaborative environment. The primary benefit of this is being able to access the right information, at the right time. Everyone in the integrated team benefits from this scenario and the key output is greatly improved efficiency. Integrated working is largely dependent on the ability to validate and communicate data across a range of stakeholders and software platforms on large projects this is essential. Team working therefore depends largely upon the successful development and deployment of the IFC data model. ROI varies in both time and level depending on the particular team discipline, but cost reductions of 20% or more due to savings in time and better accuracy, are not uncommon. 4. Vendors Standardised processes can only be of benefit to software vendors, who have to provide data in a form that communicates with other platforms. This in turn allows the sharing capability of basic and advanced features and facilitates validation and federation (that is, integrating data from multiple sources into combined views). The tools developed by software vendors deliver the data to the required standards, therefore those vendors have to be involved to ensure that the data and modelling standards are achievable and realistic. ROI is realised by a wider acceptability of product in the integrated project and can increase exponentially as BIM adoption becomes global. 5. Product Users and Product Manufacturers Product manufacturers are likely to be familiar with the advantages of integrated working, which tends to be far more advanced in manufacturing than in construction. However, when interfacing with the construction project, a key benefit of BIM to product users is the potential for stakeholders to access product data in a timely and reliable manner. To do this, standards for creating product data in a common format and storage/communication of that data need to be developed. Consequently, both product manufacturers and users need to be involved in the process. ROI can be significant for suppliers as the ease of access to their products will increase demand for those products. For users, ROI is realised by improved efficiencies in design, procurement, delivery and reduced waste. 6. Infrastructure clients and contractors In early December 2013, the UK government unveiled its infrastructure spending plan for the next two decades, describing it as "a blueprint for Britain". Around 375bn of investment in energy, transport, communications and water projects is planned. It is very important that future BIM activity includes this largest sector of construction. Utilising and integrating current standards in the built environment is a logical way to proceed and work has already begun on developing COBie for infrastructure. 7 OPEN BIM Focus 2013

8 ROI potential mirrors that outlined in the previous target sectors and will be more clearly defined as trial activities are established. 7. Research government research centres, industry foundations, industry focused academia As the UK government begins to define BIM level 3 (the multi-domain or federated model), it needs the cooperation and assistance of recognised research bodies. The benefit to those organisations is the potential to develop (and deliver commercially), the future processes and technologies that will drive fully integrated working. ROI is by definition open ended in this sector. Milestones buildingsmart has identified three conceptual milestones: i. IFC enabled level 2 BIM for building & main civil assets ii. IFC next level BIM for built assets & all civil assets iii. Fully interoperable ibim for whole built environment These will be translated for each Value Proposition into user recognisable milestones with matching technical milestones. Examples for four of the above Target Groups are shown below. MILESTONE 1 8 OPEN BIM Focus 2013

9 MILESTONE 2 MILESTONE 3 9 OPEN BIM Focus 2013

10 The buildingsmart UK Focus The challenge for buildingsmart UK is to build closer engagement between the UK agenda and International Standards program. Central to successfully meeting this challenge is the need to identify the right agenda on which to focus the ongoing trials and critically, to ensure the correct mix of user engagement. In line with the methodology used in the IFC/COBie Trials so far, they will continue on a national basis and reflect the wider remit of international objectives. Discussions have already begun with buildingsmart regarding the possibility of using the UK IFC/COBie Trial experience as a template for international deployment. As a starting point, buildingsmart UK has identified a raw list of 48 possible projects and a prioritised a short list of eight. In order to increase engagement with clients, partners and potential funders, it is vital that the intent to continue with the trials is communicated to a wide audience. Trial Template The current IFC/COBie Trials have been an excellent opportunity to both develop and refine a trial template that can be expanded to a wide range of activities. Notify user group members of the subject options with high level benefits and milestones Invite feedback on priorities and willingness to participate in trial Identify and involve representative(s) from the target group and establish benefits statement and cost budget Form trial group and validate benefits and milestones (UK and international) Agree trial remit time line, phase objectives, responsibilities, activities, execution efficiency etc Set communication protocol for trial group, target group and wider industry/public interest Agree method of feedback conference, committee, report etc 10 OPEN BIM Focus 2013

11 Moving forward The OPEN BIM Network is redefined as the buildingsmart UK User Group The original remit of the network was to engage with industry and provide a voice that could define and influence open protocols and business processes. With the developments described in this issue of OPEN BIM Focus, this is clearly now the remit of the buildingsmart User group and with the extensive backing now available via buildingsmart, BRE and Constructing Excellence, the time is right to complete the merger outlined in previous issues of OPEN BIM Focus. From January 2014 therefore, the OPEN BIM Network will become the buildingsmart UK User Group. OPEN BIM Focus will remain as the official publication. buildingsmart User Group membership Through its wide network of national and international contacts, the buildingsmart User Group will provide the environment to create, develop and manage industry activities. Membership of the User Group is exclusive to buildingsmart UK&I members. Membership details can be found here. Please for more information. 11 OPEN BIM Focus 2013

12 IFC/COBie Trials Industry Day 12 th November 2013 On 12 th November at the Royal Academy of Engineering, the buildingsmart UK&I User Group (incorporating the OPEN BIM Network), presented initial findings from the second stage of the groundbreaking IFC/COBie Trials. More detail on these trials is available in previous issues of OPEN BIM Focus.» Keynote by David Philp on behalf of UK BIM Task Group» Attended by 130 industry delegates The event started with a keynote by David Philp. He explained current and on-going government work, on behalf of the UK BIM Task Group. Following a User Group summary of the raison d'être for the IFC/COBie Trials and an outline of trial criteria from academic partners the BIM Academy, the main focus of the event, the industry experience, was presented. This was delivered by Gatwick Airport Limited, who had provided design models, VINCI Construction, Laing O Rourke and Skanska, who represented the nine supporting contractors who had undertaken the trial. The trial simulated the handover of a Gatwick Airport building at the Model Definition phase as specified in PAS The model was split into eight different work packages - architectural, structural and six MEP. These discipline models were replicated in authoring tools from Autodesk, Bentley Systems, Graphisoft, Tekla, Vectorworks and DDS CAD. Each participating contractor received the models in both a native BIM format and an IFC file. A minimum of two different native BIM formats were mandated to ensure that issues of interoperating between BIM tools were explored. The participants were tasked with federating the eight BIM work packages using tools such as Solibri, 4BIM or natively in the BIM software. A COBie Information Exchange at Work Stage 3 was then produced for the client s approval. This included Floors, Spaces, Types, Systems and Components, in a simple spread sheet format. This was then submitted through a collaborative data environment (provided by 4 Projects), for assessment. The contractors used their own platforms of choice to undertake the work and presented findings at both a technical and process level. Findings were summarised and proceedings closed with a Q&A panel session where questions about the trial (developed by Sir Robert McAlpine) were answered by MACE, Willmott Dixon and VINCI. 12 OPEN BIM Focus 2013

13 Of fundamental note is that the IFC/COBie Trials are not laboratory tests. The workflow and activities replicated the real challenges faced today in producing COBie data. Consequently the significant value of the outputs was acknowledged by both David Philp, in his government capacity and by the 130 industry delegates who attended the event. An IFC/COBie Trial Stage 2 Report, detailing trial outputs, results of the assessment, lessons learnt, delegate feedback and the work needed to address both the process and technical challenges uncovered, is due early in Early analysis of the feedback has identified a number of questions. These include the need for: A means of defining coordinates and positioning of discipline models Better and more open data communication A single classification system Standardised business processes More comprehensive property data sets The IFC/COBie Trial Stage 2 Report will be published by the BIM Academy. It will be available via the buildingsmart UK&I website. The trial management team acknowledged the support and participation received from Gatwick Airport Limited, leading UK contractors, software vendors and other industry bodies without whose support the trials would not have been possible. The IFC/COBie Trials will continue. A key request from delegates was for this valuable work to continue with its clear definition of focus. Stage 3 of the trial will be managed by the User Group and will be open to buildingsmart UK members. Membership details can be found here. Videos of the IFC/COBie Trials Industry Day presentations are available here. 13 OPEN BIM Focus 2013

14 Next Steps The IFC/COBie Trials to date have helped to define the questions. Clearly the next step is to focus on activities that address these questions and provide outputs that will inform solutions. When the IFC/COBie Trial Stage 2 report is launched, participants will be invited to attend a meeting to provide the buildingsmart User Group with a definition for ongoing activity and to establish a Trial Management Team to take the trial forward in Questions 2014 Solutions IFC/COBie Trial Sponsors Supporting Organisations 14 OPEN BIM Focus 2013

15 IFC/COBie Trial Participants Supporting Vendors 15 OPEN BIM Focus 2013