Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI
Senior Member
Username: rliebing
Post Number: 1059
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - 07:55 am: |    |
090916
BIM……..ONE MORE TIME
by Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, Cincinnati, OH
I don’t know if I am really ready for the impending fire storm, but here goes, any way!
We have got to put BIM in perspective!!!!! At this point it has become contentious, rather controversial talking point, with very valid points firmly entrenched in two almost “warring” camps. There is an acutely glamorized and romanticized view of BIM which has accompanied all of the computer wonders preceding it-- cure-alls that were to save the world and render design professionals irrelevant, obsolete and unnecessary relics!!
But to put things in better perspective, is it not our function to create, develop, refine and communicate useable construction information about our projects? Are we not to fashion the CONTENT of various project documents in a manner that transmits their characteristics, attributes and construction to the field personnel? Is our work not so much about how we get out points across [i.e., the tools and form of communications] as it is to develop and timely communicate accurate and proper information?
Look! This old man has seen many things come-- and go-- and some stuck, but in very much reduced or correctly placed tools or techniques. Mainly they were taken in stride, and worked into practices when, how and if they fit. They were advertised but not ballyhooed, over-hyped and grossly overstated-- never noted as “the magic elixir” for all ills. Won’t bore you with them, but suffice to say that the hype about BIM needs to be toned down into a professional context, and approached in a professional, non-frenzied manner!
We grant the obvious capabilities of BIM in the design process, and the things that can be accomplished to save time, money and hassle. People using this tool [damn me if you want over the use of that term-- it’s TRUE!] swear by it, but often they openly admit they do not do their specs via BIM! The graphics are blatantly obvious far, far ahead of the written documentation. Interoperability will be an increasing nuisance as competition becomes keener and escalates. Will the same mistakes made with CAD-- leaving behind a mass of people who for any of several reasons will not keep pace with every new whim and iteration? Shoot, there may still be people practicing and using, uhhhhh, pencils and paper!!!!!!!.
CSI has no small number of people, I am sure who are “on to” BIM, and working both within their offices as well as within CSI efforts to resolve the interfacing and numerous other issues. Some knowledgeable people are projecting 10-15 years before BIM and specs converge-- if then. Most all agree that specs, perhaps in changed form, WILL still be used-- some envision [?] a magical database that will chase all spec writers to the streets and provide not only a wealth of requisite information, but a maze of unneeded information [think, clear, CONCISE, complete and correct!].
Can we settle down and divest the near hysteria about us? This needs to be a progression of development, not a one-time, jump on the band wagon event! Firms must take time to adjust their staffs, training, value of use, etc. to see how BIM fits their needs, and projects-- one “size” still will NOT fit all!! They must remain working as they do this, and properly servicing their projects. No matter how much advertising goes on; how many articles cram magazines and newsletter; no matter how much hype is developed, there are, ladies and gentlemen!!! other issues we need also to pay attention to, work on and yes, resolve! BIM will eventually be the equal of Wonder bread-- white, soft, tasty and yes, sliced!!!!! Until that time, we need to calm down and work our own ways through without the constant roar of BIM cannons, and the hype and near hysteria of “Chicken Little”! It IS ALL about perspective! |
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