Building Information Modeling (BIM) has established its usefulness but it awaits a usability breakthrough.  Some feel http://bit.ly/12O08Vl that even as BIM (computerized building plan) tools are increasingly used, that BIM outcomes are too often disappointing. 

The disillusionment could be the result of overhyped promises.    BIM is a powerful tool but the construction industry’s use of BIM is evolving to understand how to best match the tool to the task.  All people really want is to save money, reduce waste and increase profits.  Some results may not be worth the costs.

Construction workflow process is a struggle to begin with; BIM implementation adds a new element to incorporate. 

Construction Data Knitters Needed

The troubles of integrating BIM echo the problems of knitting together project management and accounting software.  Oh yeah, and the scheduling software.   All of these separate systems are built on databases with their own fields and data attributes.  Blending them, presents the tricky problem of systems integration and data mapping. 

There is an important new role for BIM savvy project controllers.  http://bit.ly/14pCKtX Someone needs to be able to see through silo walls, mapping the data from estimating, accounting and scheduling together in a coordinated environment. 

Technological Construction Project Controls People- Well Positioned

Lean Construction techniques and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) methods aim to get the best of each party’s knowledge, ahead of time and in conjunction with the other team members.  The smartest teams will include owners who set clear goals, expect coordination and insist that team members use technological tools to make information available to the people who need it.