Timberline Forum

Barry Cassell

I’ve been asked by one of my industry software provider friends to write a piece on the current state of Building Information Modeling (BIM), as it relates to estimating in the here and now.

The topic has become increasingly relevant as the software driving the standard is  evolving quickly. (Or is it the demand that’s drving the software, fueling the growth? No matter.) BIM is fully useful now.

In fact, the oil and gas industry has been modeling its projects for thirty years,
not starting construction until the model is complete, and all potential design conflicts resolved. In the building sector, BIM is largely confined to the design-build arena. Why Design- Build? Because you need to own the drawings to have sufficient access to the CAD objects, or be on a truly team-oriented project that shares its resources openly among all project players. Not found on the conventional (read archaic) low-bid project!

To the uninitiated, the BIM standard (also known as Virtual Design & Construction or VDC)
requires “intelligent” design objects, rather than mere lines on the digital plan page. These
objects contain rich data including material dimensions, quantities, and types, to name just a
few attributes that sets modeled objects apart from conventional 2-D CAD lines. The 3-D
model can be rotated and viewed from any angle, including virtual walk-through capability.

Additionally, built-in clash-detection attributes prohibit drawing ducts through windows, or
electrical lines through ducts. It has evolved to the point of “5-D” technology: following the
more familiar 3-D design standards, “4-D” designates Time (project scheduling) data within the
model, and “5-D” the material takeoff quantity information, all built in to the drawings!

So why doesn’t everybody do it? Several reasons: High initial Cost is followed by a steep
Learning Curve, and topped off with multiple competing and Incompatible Software Standards.
Real world project experiences include glowing tales of months and millions shaved off
projects.

But likewise we hear some horror stories of high investment with puny returns. Unless
the entire project team is on board utilizing the same tools, those without are at a considerable
disadvantage. All major subs need to have fully compatible software, which doesn’t happen on
many projects under $50mm. And even with the resources and willingness to do all of the
above, the top three competing software tools are incompatible with each other. AutoDesk
doesn’t talk to Bentley, and neither works with Vico. The Army Corps of Engineers mandated a
year ago that Bentley and Autodesk must adhere to a common comapatible standard, but
nobody I know has seen it yet.

So how does this relate to estimating? Tools which interface between the model and estimate
applications are becoming increasingly available, in both proprietary and software-neutral
platforms. US Cost, Win Estimator, Bentley, and Vico have authored their own dedicated tools to
map and import the quantity takeoff information into their estimating applcations. Sage
Timberline requires a third-party interface, such as Innovaya’s Visual Estimating to import the
data. The speed of this software is truly amazing. I’ve watched Innovaya read complex models,
and execute literally days of quantity takeoff in minutes into a Timberline estimate. It’s truly
amazing.

And if the model changes, simply run the takeoff again for virtually instant update of
only the changed components. Which brings to light the obvious question, are we estimators
dinosaurs? The answer is no, for two reasons.

First, the model doesn’t contain “invisible” apects of the project such as mobilization, supervision,
temporary facilities, or necessary omponents such as formwork and scaffolding.

Second, and perhaps even more reassuring is hat it still takes a human mind to evaluate productivity,
and account for  weather conditions, as wll as the unique project constraints and advantages that
differentiate one project from aother. Where we’re saving estimating hours, (and ultimately potentially
reducing estimate staff requirements), is on what I call the “donkey work” of quantity takeoff. For that,
I for one say good riddance!

Have questions?  Want to know more?  Then ask Barry!  He’d love to hear from you.  Contact Gary
by going here.