Some mistakes in the BIM process are common for the most offices, and they are usually caused by short deadlines and the old ways of thinking. In this article you can read about the most common mistakes and the possible ways to solve it.
In general, many mistakes are made because you don’t have big picture in mind and are just focused on the specific tasks. Also BIM process requires new way of thinking that is different from the traditional ways. If the project team is not well organized it can significantly prolong the development of the project. With deadlines already set, it means that you will need to work overtime to submit project. So avoiding these common mistakes can help you to submit your project on time and on budget, without overtime work and sacrificing quality.
- You didn’t start with the end in mind.
This mistake was made very often especially during CAD-BIM transition. The BIM process should start from the end, i.e. at first you need to determine what is the end. This should be written in your BEP (for more information see Revit tip #2). - You ignore problems and delay troubleshooting.
You may think that you don’t have enough time to resolve problems and warnings. So you continue your work on a BIM model regardless of any problems and you delay resolving for later. - You always choose “the easiest” way.
When you work on a BIM model, the easiest way is not necessarily the right way. And also it is not really the easiest way but it just seems that it is at that moment. This may include modeling of “fake” elements that you need for some specific purpose. - Often returning back.
For example, you can work in a model to achieve some specific goal and after that you should change that model to achieve the other goal. And so on, every time you need to remodel some elements or the entire model. This mistake is usually the logical consequence of the first mistake. - Wasting time and unnecessary work.
The BIM models are often large in size, and if you work on a big project it can be several hundreds of MBs, even more than 500 MBs. If poorly managed, the performance will be negatively affected for sure. It means you will waste a lot of time. Also if you do some unnecessary modeling work it can be a huge amount of wasted time. - Non-use of the full potential of BIM.
Maybe you have limited Revit to 3D modeling software instead of a full BIM software. It especially applies to ignoring “I” (information) in the BIM. Try to not create BIM models just for one or two purposes (design authoring and design reviews). Consider as more BIM uses as possible, for example 3D visualization, 3D coordination, quantity take-off, clash detection, etc. - Incorrect scheduling.
Schedules don’t match the model because they are not set up correctly. Double-check all parameters and filers, and if schedule needs to include elements from links. - Incorrect use of parameters.
Consider do you need project parameter or shared parameter. You can combine parameters into formulas. If you cannot get the desired value using formulas create a new parameter and enter values manually. It’s still better way than manually modifying exported file. - Non-use of automation.
Many tasks that you do in Revit can be automatized with add-ins and Dynamo scripts. Many of them are free (see Revit tip #3 and Revit add-ons.) - Combining BIM with non-BIM practices.
In some cases you need to combine CAD drawings with your BIM model, but very often you implement non-BIM practices in your BIM workflow.
