Key to successful BIM implementation is collaboration, says RICS

The need for collaboration between all the professions working within the built environment was the overriding theme of a free seminar on BIM, hosted by RICS last week, reports RICS’ Schemes and Accreditation Manager Jon Klahn. The event featured speakers from quantity surveying, engineering and architecture, and was designed to help delegates learn more about BIM and RICS’ role in establishing BIM industry standards. Addressing the 80 plus attendees, Dr Anne Kemp FRICS, Director of BIM Strategy and Development at Atkins and Chair of ICE’s BIM Action Group said the various professions can no longer be driven by self-interest. BIM in itself is not the solution. But the change required to make BIM successful will ultimately allow for better construction, better buildings and a better environment. Successful BIM implementation requires a partnership of people, process and technology and for project teams to understand and appreciate each other’s roles as professionals.

Richard Saxon CBE FRICS, a consultant for the built environment, reminded attendees of why the UK government asked for BIM: to focus property and construction on positive sustainable outcomes. BIM enables this as an information tool and the role of the information manager is to ensure information is effectively used in a collaborative environment.

Looking ahead, Alan Muse FRICS, Director of the Built Environment at RICS, considered how data, as provided by BIMs, is set to become the fourth factor of production.

Questions from the audience indicated that the BIM concept is still challenging many people and more training and education is needed to ensure that existing and future professionals are able to meet its challenges.

Earlier this year RICS introduced the first BIM Manager Certification in response to industry requirements to have a standard that demonstrates the skills and competence of construction professionals in using Building Information Modelling (BIM).

Explains Jon Klahn: “At RICS we want to achieve a recognised benchmark standard for BIM management and have developed training and a qualification to provide support for and develop confidence in the implementation of BIM. These solutions are available to all relevant professionals and the competencies to be demonstrated have been developed to reflect people, process and technology – the three fundamentals of BIM adoption.”

For more information visit: https://www.rics.org/uk/join/member-accreditations-list/bim-manager-certification/