Facilities managers are becoming more aware of the benefits of Building Information Modelling (BIM). However, it’s an area that’s often misunderstood by individuals in this position, who believe that it’s only for a certain qualified few to use or requires a lot of effort to set up. In the United Kingdom, BIM is actually required now for any public sector projects, with everything stored in an electronic format. Therefore, more attention is being given to this area and the benefits it can offer to facilities managers. When choosing a facilities management company, you’ll want to consider their knowledge of BIM to ensure you find a good fit for your project and gain the advantages of using this system. Find Out More Here!
What is Building Information Modelling?
Before we go any further with the benefits that BIM can offer to facilities managers, it’s important to clarify exactly what BIM is. There’s a lot of confusion around this, and it’s not a single system or product. BIM is a process that’s used to design, construct, and to maintain a building, which is achieved with a computer system. You can build the building virtually as many times as you please to get your desired result, saving time and resources in the long run. Many facilities managers believe they need multiple sets of tools or documents to use BIM, but that’s not the case, as it’s just a single and current system that’s required. BIM will offer facilities managers a 3D building experience, which gives simulations of every stage of the building and operating process. As BIM can easily be shared between decision-makers, it can result in better communication and an easier working experience for everyone involved.
Benefits of BIM to Facilities Managers
One of the main reasons behind the requirement of BIM in the UK is to reduce capital costs, improving efficiency within the industry. However, it’s still slow to be adopted and understood by facilities managers, who don’t fully understand the advantages BIM offers to users. Cost-saving is without a doubt a high priority to anyone involved in building or maintaining buildings and should be something everyone within a building management service pays attention to. BIM can offer savings throughout both of these processes and reduce wastage. By building a virtual model as many times as needed, you’ll notice any issues before materials and time are wasted in real life. For anyone looking after the facilities management services budget, this can give you more certainty about your total costs. While some facilities managers believe BIM is a time-consuming process, it usually results in quicker delivery of the project and a more efficient working process. Mistakes and issues can be avoided before building even commences, and duplications are minimised. BIM is used to ensure a client is fully satisfied with a building before beginning the construction. As with anything in life, when everyone is on the same page from the start of a process, there’s less chance of disappointment and confusion down the line. Facilities managers and building maintenance services know the inherent risks involved in their work, but BIM allows simulations to be created to ensure fire and crowd control risks are minimised. You can predict potential hazards and dangers, and designs can be altered to minimise the chance of danger occurring. Therefore, the project is far more predictable thanks to BIM facility management, as you can see early on what modifications and changes are likely. All project owners have a good idea of the outcome that’s expected, so adjustments can be made when needed, reducing delays to the project further down the line.
Working with BIM
Managers in facility management services often feel like BIM may replace them, as is the fear with many technological advancements today. However, that couldn’t be further from the trust. BIM actually gives facilities managers a more exciting role in the design stage, which they are often left out of. As a facilities manager, you’ll find you get to become very involved in the design stage and can help to change the outcome of a final product. Many facilities managers feel their job position is actually elevated by the addition of BIM to projects instead of having the opposite effect as they feared. If you are looking for a facilities management team in Leeds and Yorkshire, you’ll be in good hands with Clear Choice Facilities Management. Whether you need assistance with an ad-hoc project or require a full maintenance contract, they offer hard and soft facilities management in the local area. The team are very familiar with the benefits of BIM and how it can help both facilities managers and everyone involved in a project. With long-term strategies offered to all clients, Clear Choice Facilities Management will offer you a high quality yet cost-efficient services for all your facilities management needs.
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