Owners don't want BIM, they just want the project done well
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I’m not sure if this article can anger some BIM manager out there. I just want make it crustal clear first that I have nothing against BIM. In fact, I work in R&D for a consulting firm and provide my coworker support & training regarding any BIM related technology. I also want to point out that BIM is not just Revit. If you are confused please watch this video made by That BIM Girl. (BIM IS NOT JUST REVIT — Model quality checking — YouTube).
Alright, let’s get to the main course. The reason for this “Owners don’t want BIM, they just want the project done well” statement is from some of the projects owners I have encountered before: Factory owner, CEO/ Manager of a food chain, Real estate business man … you know, people who want to invest their money in building something to do their business.
I asked them if they have heard about the concept of Building Information Modeling? Most of them answered “no”, while some said “yes” and then explain what they have head or their understanding of BIM. The owner that tend to say “Yes” are usually in their mid-30 to 40s. Elder owners often answer simply no and are not very keen to ask more like “what is that anyway?” as it sounds like some architecture / engineering jargons they don't have to care about. This is predictable. What is surprising to me is actually the group of young CEOs who know what BIM is but still not very keen to ask more also.
I remember on a meeting I have been, a project owner who is running frozen food manufacturing and retails, and quite young, discuss what he always think; “Hey, I do get it that BIM is more than just fancy 3D CAD model like in SketchUp, it is more about the data cooperated in the modeling and the process/collaboration of many designers in different fields. I get it. What is bugging me is that I thought people in these industries (AEC) have been doing this since CAD is still new.”
“I thought construction industry is always self-sufficient with the software. I guess I was wrong.” said the manager of an accommodation service. I was an answer I got after explanation of BIM was given.
BIM implementation is nice: it reduce human errors and time in the design and construction. it’s better than 2D DWG CAD drawing. What I am trying to say is, the owners got their own problems to worry about. They are running their company. They hire people in AEC industry so that don't have to worry too much and save more time to do other things. To ask them if they want traditional CAD or BIM on their dream tower is strange to them. Whatever BIM system or Standard you got implanted in the firm should work just fine for them, be able to service your clients, and basically don’t screw up stakeholders investment in the project.
I know there will be people saying BIM software is not cheap and that leads to asking owner whether they want BIM or old-school CAD. I agree too. Especially now that every software need to be rent per month or per year; no more owning the software… I’m looking at you Autodesk-kun. The saying “if you are complaining that the price is too high, you’re not charging enough” is not very true here as the software in AEC industry is becoming worse. And no, cracking and serial-keygen are not legal solution. I mean look at how much Gaming industry have changed so far since we got Valve’s Steam.
I don't think any SME or let alone mid-size company in a developing country can fully go BIM 100%
Agree or Disagree with me? do let me know in the comment.
