BIM Execution Plan

The intent of the BIM Execution Plan (BEP) is to define a foundational framework to ensure successful deployment of advanced design technologies on your BIM enabled project. The BEP is about optimizing work and model flow across the project, as contrasted with optimizing siloed interests. The key is good planning of the design-to-engineering-to-construction process to minimize downstream surprises, rework, redundancies or gaps in the flow of (model-based) information.

On smaller renovation projects with little engineering or build-side involvement, the standard BEP may adequately address the BIM workflow. On larger projects with multiple team members on both the design and build side, a BEP will be required of the AE and the GC to better synchronize the BIM workflow.

As a minimum requirement, the BEP outlined below must be completed and submitted to the GSA Project Manager and a Regional BIM Champion (or designee) within 30 days after the project kickoff meeting. The BEP is to be completed in a collaborative environment at the project’s kick-off meeting. The data entry to, and distribution of, the projects BEP is the responsibility of the Project Architect unless another design-side team member is better qualified to coach the team on collaborative workflows. Any additional planning information should also be included.

The A/E team shall schedule a follow-up BIM meeting to review BEP, process, and guidelines with all stakeholders, including BIM integrators and reviewers.

If build-side partners are available on a timely basis, the A/E is strongly encouraged to discuss the design-side BEP before finalizing, as synchronizing the A/E and GC BEPs is pivotal to a more seamless transfer of BIMs.

Obtaining and Completing the BEP

The latest BEP can be downloaded from this site. The file is a Microsoft Word document and should be completed using a computer — it should NOT be handwritten. The BEP should then be printed, signed by all project participants, scanned to a PDF, and placed in a central location where all project participants will have easy access to the signed document. This will help ensure that all team members are able to clearly understand the process outlined in the BEP.

It is expected that every BIM-enabled project complete the basic BEP as outlined below. The questions should be filled out by the team and not a single individual. It is expected that there will be in-depth discussion into the specifics of some of the items. The BEP is laying the foundation for your entire BIM project and errors made in this early stage of planning will have major negative downstream implications.

Formatting Conventions of the BEP Document

There are several formatting conventions deployed through the BEP. These are intended to give the user visual cues on how to complete the document. All these styles are embedded within the Word document and should be used.

Text Style
Description
Main Body Text
10 pt, black text. The Main Body Text is text that is intended to be a part of every BEP. Although this text can be changed, most teams should not need to change it.

Instruction Text

10 pt, light grey. Instruction text is included to help guide the user in completing the BEP. The final BEP should have all instruction text removed.

Example Text

10pt, dark grey. Example text is included to give the users a reference for what their final BEP may look like. In some cases, this text may be applicable to the project. In those cases, the text format can be changed to Main Body Text.

Basic Information (Sections A – C)

Sections A, B, and C are typical sections for any form of BEP. These deal in the basic facts of the project such as project number, site and building address, major milestones, and project contacts.

The BIM Project Execution Plan Overview (section A) should be extended, based on the specifics of the project. It should written on a very macro level similar to an executive summary. If a reader were to only read sections A, they should gain a basic understanding of how the project was implementing BIM techniques.

Section B covers the basic information needed for the project. Care should be taken to only list information pertinent to the overall project in this section. For example, individual partner companies should not list their internal project numbers under the Project Numbers sections. This section is for numbers effecting the entire project.

Use Section C to list all project contacts. Keep in mind the goal of BIM is to flatten the traditional project organization such that a modeler from the mechanical sub-partner can directly contact the architectural modeler to resolve model conflicts. Listing only managers in Section C would not enable this communication.

Section D

Before an objective can be achieved it must first be understood by the whole team. Section D seeks to establish these objectives for the project. A major BIM goal or objective is one not required by the project’s contracts, but rather a goal the team has decided will benefit the project. Use section D-1 to clearly define the goal. Since a goal without measure is not a useful tool, you will also define the metrics that will be used in measuring the success of the goal.

For goals to be achieved on a project, all team members must understand the expectations. Use Subsection 2 to define these expectations. To what level will the cost estimating model data be taken — 100, 200, 300? If it is not clear, confusion will arise and data may be misused. Using the cost estimating example, what would be the effects if the Project Estimator assumed that the data was in LOD 300 when in actuality the data was LOD 200?

Section E

At the heart of BIM is collaboration and Section E works to define it’s implementation on your project. Begin by defining the overall strategy for collaboration on the team (Subsection 1). Layout what meetings will be scheduled to facilitate team communication (Subsection 2), and agree to how and when model data will be exchanged (Subsection 3). Refer to the tutorial on Integration Reviews for more information on how to have successful review meetings.

Subsection 4 deals with interactive workspaces. These so called “big-rooms” have been successfully deployed on many BIM projects to large success. Teams should consider the practicality of the co-located working rooms for their projects. Co-located workspaces allow for the entire team to work on their models in a single space. On co-located projects, the modelers and designers will bring their computer to the co-located site and work collaboratively as a group. Often the size of the project will dictate the possibility of co-location.

Electronic communications are addressed in subsection 5. Within this section document not only file and model sharing but also any other technology based communications. For example will the team be using Skype or GoToMeetings? Define what will be required by the team such that software may be installed and configured.

A common issue on BIM based projects is a lack of knowledge on both the process and tools used for BIM execution. The team should never assume that any member has the knowledge to properly execute the project’s BIM goals. The team should have an open and honest discussion on training and education that extends far beyond how to use any one software package. There should be a further analysis of whether or not the team members understand the process. Define what training is required in Subsection 6.

Identify tools and techniques that will be used to encourage team collaboration and BIM sharing including how Integration Sessions will be used to coordinate, share, and update model data. Within Subsection 7 the team should agree to model integration methodology: set-up, objectives, facilitation, stakeholder, roles, frequency, location, resolution. See the tutorial on Integration Reviews for additional guidance.

Section F

Quality control is of high importance to GSA. Within Subsection 1 clearly define how the team will implement a quality control procedure to ensure the highest quality of both building and data for the GSA. Use Subsection 2 to make sure the team knows exactly what is going to be checked.

Technology and Standards (Sections G – I)

The majority of Sections G, H, and I are covered in much greater detail in the GSA BIM Guidelines for Revit than within the BEP. These sections of the BEP should serve as a reminder to the team to consult the full BIM standards as well as define any standards which exceed the scope of the GSA BIM Guidelines for Revit. The completion of these sections may also require the inclusion of IT personnel from the project stakeholders.

Section J

Since no BEP template can accommodate all project’s requirements, Section J is for adding any additional information the team feels would benefit the project. Several suggested documents are listed and the team is highly encouraged to add additional documents as needed.