BIM and the CWMF

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has the potential to transform the design, construction and operation of public works projects over the coming years.

The sections below describe the relationship between BIM and the CWMF. We will continue to update this page as the project develops.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a process for creating and managing information on a construction project throughout its whole life cycle.

It is a collaborative way of working, underpinned by the digital technologies which unlock more efficient methods of designing, creating and maintaining our assets. Properly implemented, BIM delivers projects to a higher quality and safety level.

One of the key outputs of this process is the Building Information Model, the digital description of every aspect of the built asset. This 3-D model draws on information assembled collaboratively and updated at key stages of a project.

Creating a digital Building Information Model enables those who interact with the building to optimize their choices, resulting in a greater whole life value for the asset.

Internationally, the BIM process and associated data structures are defined in the ISO 19650 and 12006 series of standards.

Benefits of BIM

Building Information Modelling and BIM certification can offer the following benefits:

• A powerful design tool which allows clients to interact, reducing wasteful design revision.
• Better design and information co-ordination for the construction stage, this will reduce time spent in redoing work.
• Potential programme and cost savings to the client
• Significant time savings at the tender stage in evaluating contractors’ offers where a BIM model is used as a tender document.
• In procurement it offers the potential to tie down products and materials pre-award.
• BIM offers scope for a more collaborative approach where risk and waste is better managed through the model.
• A valuable information asset to manage the performance and maintenance of the completed facility, reducing whole-life costs
• Controlled environmental data
• Reduced on-site waste
• Improved safety

BIM in action

Watch a video of BIM in action (Courtesy of NBS)

The following standards will apply where BIM requirements are included in any public works project delivered under the CWMF.

1. ISO 19650

The ISO 19650 series will be adopted into the CWMF on a phased basis to impose standards on information for project delivery across the public sector

ISO Website

2. Uniclass 2015

Uniclass is made up of a set of tables that can be used by different parts of the construction industry in various ways.

Uniclass website

3. Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)

IFC is a standardized, digital description of the built asset industry. It is an open, international standard and promotes vendor-neutral, and usable capabilities across a wide range of hardware devices, software platforms, and interfaces.

IFC Website

4. International Cost Management Standard (ICMS)

ICMS are principles-based international standards that set out how to classify, define, measure, record, analyse, present and compare construction project life cycle costs in a structured and logical format.

ICMS website

Step 1: Information Manager

Appoint an Information Manager who will facilitate, manage the transition and develop the organisational BIM Strategy. For large organisations or those with large programme this should be a full time employee or employees. For small organisations or those with an occasional capital expenditure requirement it may be delivered via consultancy. In the initial stages they will assist in determining the Organisation Information Requirements (OIR) in accordance with the asset management strategy. They will input into developing the Project Information Requirements (PIR), Asset Information Requirements (AIR) and the OIR, PIR and AIR combined feed into the project’s Exchange Information Requirements (EIR) which is a key tender document.

Step 2: Develop a plan and adopt ISO 19650

Create a structured BIM Implementation Plan (BIP). This document details everyone’s roles, and define the goals and requirements using the ISO 19650 series of standards.

Step 3: Choose appropriate software and hardware

Equip yourself with an understanding of all the available features so that you can choose the right software for your needs. These include 3D modelling, scheduling and planning, cost estimation and budgeting, efficiency improvement and more. The Information Manager will assist with this assessment. It will also involve establishing a cloud facility to operate the Common Data Environment (CDE) a requirement of ISO 19650.

Step 4: Set Goals

Setting strategic goals for your organisation can help your team stay on track and have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. These goals need to be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and mapped onto a timeline. One such goal will be to define success and what that looks like for the organisation.

Step 5: Choose the Team

When forming the team for your BIM project, it is important to define all the roles within the project team. This applies whether the team is made up of employees or part of a consultancy team engaged for a project. This way, everyone knows what is expected of them.

The team dynamic is also crucial in encouraging a positive uptake of the new software and workflows. Team members need to be open to learning from each other and sharing their experiences. A good idea would be to facilitate open learning sessions to encourage such an environment.

As a measure to ensure greater support on an organisational level, there should be some level of communication with the entire staff.

Step 6: Training

New processes and software require support and training on the job.

Step 7: Monitor, Evaluate and Adjust

After you have taken the plunge and implemented BIM, the focus should then turn to improving your processes. This involves monitoring, evaluating, adjusting and repeating.

As you use the software, you will learn more and be able to make improvements to your projects. Reviewing different stages in your projects and making appropriate adjustments along the way will also help to improve the final products.

Timeline

From January 2024 consultants engaged to design and oversee the construction of public works contracts with a value in excess of €100m will have Building Information Modelling (BIM) requirements included in their scope of service.

Over a period of 4 years these requirements will be extended to include the engagement of consultants and contractors down to projects with a value less than €1m. At that point all public works projects will have BIM requirements incorporated.

The BIM adoption strategy utilises the buying power of the public sector which represents at least 25% of construction activity to incorporate digital delivery requirements as part of the overall Government strategy to digitalise the construction sector by 2030.

Table: Public Sector BIM Adoption Timeline

From January 2024 the OGP, in conjunction with the Government Contracts Committee for Construction, will monitor the uptake of BIM across those public bodies who are required to use the CWMF. The timeline set out below is subject to review any changes will be based on feedback from this monitoring process.

We will continue to update links to learning resources as this project develops.

Build Digital Project

Build Digital Project’s aim is to ensure that world-class digital practices are adopted throughout the construction industry and supply chain in Ireland. The project provides guidance and leadership on the digital tools, standards, approaches, education and training required by the sector.

Build Digital Project website