With so many risks involved in construction projects, preparation and vision are the keys to success.
Design, safety, and operational issues can arise without prior notice. Construction managers can use the tools available in the digital age to reduce the risks associated with their projects.
BIM (or Building Information Modeling) is the act of digitally creating building features using unique software. This resulting model and corresponding data are typically used throughout the building’s life cycle – from design to construction to use and maintenance. By implementing BIM, managers can greatly reduce the risk of problems, errors, and oversights.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is more than a 3D modeling process, it links data to every element in the model. Its powerful visualization capabilities allow it to “see” everything from proposed design changes, to potential collisions, to the actual elements that make up a building’s structure.
It’s like seeing all this data in action. It is often said that seeing is believing; in BIM, observation is also about identifying potential risks and figuring out how to mitigate them. This is what makes it an invaluable tool for the risk management of construction projects.
Just as construction has many inherent risks, BIM can add significant value to efforts to manage these risks. It is useful not only at the beginning of the design phase but also throughout the project life cycle and even after the project is completed.
So how can BIM software benefit different aspects of a site in a construction project? The following are specific examples of how BIM can reduce risk in construction projects, but first, let’s briefly describe what a risk assessment entails and what construction managers need to consider before starting a project.
1. Avoid planning and construction mistakes
“What if?” How many design plans start out with these words, but then get derailed by difficulty measuring the impact of structure and project budget?
BIM enables designers to propose limitless design options and better understand the implications of those choices through data-driven decisions.With this level of clarity, design decisions become easier.
This allows you to experiment with design options before construction begins, reducing the likelihood of defects and errors during construction and reducing change orders submitted during construction management. The sooner bugs are caught, the less likely they are to become an expensive remediation project.
Was it at the owner’s request or was it a follow-up change due to unforeseen circumstances? You can use BIM to test proposed changes and see if they are structurally and financially valid.
This will also help you understand if these changes introduce new dangers or conflicts. Sometimes, after carefully considering all the modification options for using 3D virtual modeling, we may find that the potential impact is too large to consider.
In other cases, however, changes are required regardless of their impact. In this case, leveraging BIM-rich project data can help us figure out how best to respond to change while minimizing risk, including by efficiently reallocating resources to accommodate it.
2. Avoid unnecessary costs
To avoid unnecessary costs and further economic and financial risks business plans are involved in any project. How can a BIM platform help mitigate these risks? And because the accuracy of cost and quantity information is greater with each element of that final design more accurate details and quantities are obtained during procurement when all resources from labor to materials to equipment are brought together. The workers were told to leave and receive compensation.
By flagging defects you can make changes before they become part of the final product. Avoid these expensive buildings that will take away from your profits. How can BIM change and reduce project risk management in the future?
Risk management is essential in construction projects and should always be a priority. By being aware and proactive project managers and engineers can greatly reduce the likelihood of problems that hold up progress or require repair. Fortunately thanks to recent technological advances we are now able to reduce risks more effectively. Of all the tools available BIM is perhaps the most useful when it comes to risk assessment and prevention.
3. Identify and prevent site security risks
When it comes to security risk management, people don’t always think of building information modeling. However, that is gradually changing as contractors begin to see their opportunity. Of all the high-risk industries, construction is one of the most dangerous because of its invisible hazards.
However, with BIM technology, you can visualize what was previously hidden. A 3D walkthrough of BIM can show us potential jobsite hazards that we might not otherwise be able to see. By using the capabilities of BIM as a collaboration tool, different teams can jointly manage these security risks in real time.
Large projects can pose a challenge for workers who often find themselves in difficult positions when installing installations or assembling components. However it makes the process safer by pre-producing 3D models designed by BIM. There is less risk of injury when lifting and placing large prefab units because heavy equipment does more work. With the help of visualization we can better understand what risks to avoid or precautions before working in these areas.
4. Optimize the project processes and the potential liability
There is still more work to be done after the construction project is completed to minimize potential liability. Building instructions This model can help us want the structure to wear and tear once it has been delivered to the owner. Design choices made early in a project using BIM-effective visualizations can facilitate maintenance by facilities management teams in terms of cost effectiveness and structural integrity.
A BIM model records data from the start of a project that can be useful for monitoring and comparing performance levels over time.
This story can also be a point in future plans to avoid the risk of structural damage. Also all the documents and documents required to create a digital twin are available to anyone who submits it. They can use it for future reference to see how well the building is performing or fix inefficiencies.
Want to learn how BIM management software can help improve your construction site safety reduce project risk and reduce errors? Book a free call for demo or contact us to get started.