From the course: The BIM Execution Plan for Architects

Streamlining the process - Revit Tutorial

From the course: The BIM Execution Plan for Architects

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Streamlining the process

- [Instructor] There is a standard time-tested process to producing an architectural project. Transitioning to BIM requires tweaking this process, and that can be scary, but necessary. The workload of project teams is different and occurs in different amounts of required FTEs per design phase. But BIM can streamline the process with the use of templates and good planning. There are some tools your firm can develop to streamline the process. A set of templated files can be created to work together to support the workflow. Quick reference tools, like a pre-filled-out LOD matrix or a Revit startup sheet, can give teams a clear understanding of goals. And, finally, good training to get people moving in the right path. If we return to the revised MacLeamy curves and note that the most effective curve relied on templates to establish a strong workflow, you can see how these templates and standards have become quite important to the success of BIM within a firm. To build digital excellence, you need a project template to support the families and schedules. You also need a keynote file to connect the work to the specifications. It will be most beneficial if the provided families were already calibrated to work with the keynotes. Finally, you need a detail library to support drawing development. In many cases, these tools are what firms call their secret sauce; it's the thing that makes them stand out from the others. The industry discusses a three-legged stool of BIM that includes tools, processes, and behaviors. You need to have the right tools to support well-established processes and then train in the right behaviors to find success. There is also a three-legged stool of standards. Those are families to build the project, specifications to develop the 2-D information, and details to develop the documentation. In this concept, the project file is what these things are supporting. Instead of saying templates, one could reframe it as standards, as it's not just one file you need. To succeed to your best, you need standards and collaboration. The BIM Execution Plan ties these two things together to create a whole.

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