Interscale Content Hub – BIM coordination meetings best practices are a set of well-structured agendas outlining the objectives, topics for discussion, and expected outcomes.
So, we need to make sure everyone is involved from the start, including architects, engineers, and contractors.
Also, it’s a good idea to have consistent and frequent meetings so that any potential clashes or design inconsistencies can be identified and resolved in a timely manner.
Ok, let’s get into the 101 now. Let’s get started.
When Should You Start BIM Coordination?
The best time to start working on BIM coordination is at the start of the design process, even before the design is fully fleshed out.
If you get everyone on the same page early on, you can avoid major issues down the road.
This proactive approach makes it easier to get the project done on time and on budget. It also helps everyone on the project team to work together better.
In their guide “How to Lead Coordination Meetings in an Effective Way,” Marcin Pszczolka and Ignacy Lozinski suggest 2 key things for success in BIM coordination: early preparation and continuous engagement.
In their guide, they say it’s important to give people plenty of notice and make sure the agenda is clear and to the point.
This preparation helps to set clear expectations and keep the meetings focused on resolving critical issues.
Objectives of BIM Coordination Meetings
One of the main things BIM coordination meetings are for is to spot any clashes. If you can spot and fix any problems between different building systems early on, you can save yourself a lot of hassle and time when it comes to construction.
Marcin Pszczolka and Ignacy Lozinski say precisely defined agendas are key to addressing specific issues and making clash detection more effective.
Keeping all the models up to date and in line with the latest project info is key to maintaining accuracy and reliability.
This helps to avoid mistakes and missing information that could cause delays and extra costs.
Another goal of BIM coordination meetings is to make sure that architects, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders can communicate effectively with each other.
Good communication and collaboration are key to getting issues sorted quickly and making informed decisions.
Regular coordination meetings help keep everyone on track and in the loop about upcoming deadlines, which helps the project succeed overall.
These meetings make sure the project stays on schedule by dealing with any potential delays or conflicts as they come up.
Verifying that the design meets all the specified requirements and standards is a big part of what we do in BIM coordination meetings.
Quality assurance processes help make sure the project is built to the highest standards, which reduces the risk of future issues and ensures the client is happy.
For your reference, kindly read “Guideline to the Importance of BIM Training for Architects and Engineers.“
Tips for Better BIM Coordination Meetings
One of the most crucial things to do is to make sure you have a clear agenda. If you give everyone a detailed agenda before the meeting, it will help keep the discussion focused and make sure all the critical issues are addressed.
Pszczolka and Lozinski highlight how agendas must be super clear, with a purpose for the meeting and specific times for each topic.
This preparation ensures everyone comes prepared, so we can get straight to the point and save time on unnecessary discussions.
Another thing to consider is picking the right people to be there. It’s important to invite only those stakeholders who can make decisions and provide the necessary input.
This approach keeps the number of attendees to a minimum, which boosts productivity.
Time management is a big deal in every BIM coordination meeting. Setting a strict time limit keeps meetings on track and ensures that the most important issues get resolved first.
If there are any unresolved matters, they should be set as action items to be dealt with later.
Also, consider using visual support in BIM coordination meetings. Tools like Solibri or Navisworks can help everyone understand what’s going on with the clashes and proposed solutions.
As a reference tool, we also encourage you to refer to this tutorial video for scheduling a meeting using the Logitech Rally Bar.
Then, keep in mind to keep everyone in the loop between meetings. This helps to keep everyone up to date with progress and any changes to the project scope or schedule.
Keeping everyone in the loop with regular updates helps everyone stay on the same page and keeps the momentum going between meetings.
Just to give you a heads-up, you might want to read “The Role of BIM in Urban Planning: The Toolkit for Data-Driven Decisions.”
How to Conduct BIM Coordination Meetings
Pszczolka and Lozinski say the ICE (Integrated Concurrent Engineering) method is a great way to run these meetings.
The first thing to do is get ready. Before the meeting, make sure all the models are up to date and that the clash detection reports are ready to go.
Take a look at the agenda and make sure you’ve got all the data you need. This preparation helps everyone know what to expect and makes sure the meeting gets off to a good start.
Starting the meeting with a quick rundown of the agenda, objectives, and expected outcomes helps set the tone.
Make sure everyone knows what they’re supposed to be doing and why from the get-go. That way, the meeting will run more smoothly.
The main thing at the meeting is to go over the issues. Go over each issue in the clash detection report, using visual aids to show what’s going on and how we can fix it.
Make sure you give each team member a task to do, so everyone knows what they need to do and by when.
Setting clear deadlines for action items is key to keeping everyone on track and accountable.
Using a project management tool to track these items makes sure that tasks don’t get forgotten and that there’s a clear record of what needs to be done.
And don’t forget to wrap up the meeting with a summary of the decisions made and the next steps. Set a date for the next meeting and make sure everyone knows what they need to do.
Choosing a Support System for Improve Collaboration in BIM Projects
At Interscale, we can help with all aspects of your BIM project, from start to finish.
Our team of BIM experts can help you streamline workflows, improve collaboration, and enhance project outcomes.
We can help you get your project management, data integration, and collaboration tools up and running, which have been designed to make construction workflows more efficient.
One example of how we deliver cutting-edge projects using integrated BIM techniques is our work with K2LD Architects.
For more on how Interscale can help with your BIM needs, kindly click our Interscale BIM Management Support page here.
We’re also happy to have a discussion to make sure we’re on the same page and that we’re meeting your needs and goals. Please don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment. We’re here to help.
Conclusion
BIM coordination meetings are a must because they help everyone work together better, communicate more effectively, find and fix problems early on, make projects run more smoothly, ensure quality and compliance, and encourage new ideas.
Sticking to a structured and efficient meeting routine can help your construction projects deliver better results, cost less, and make your stakeholders happier.
As the construction industry changes, the value of those BIM coordination meetings’ best practices will grow, making them an essential part of your project’s success.
