Model Manager Series - Part 2: Project Planning

In this installment of the series, I will go through the specific tasks associated with the planning of a project - everything that happens before the model starts. The Model Manager is integral to the management of the project as it relates to all aspects of BIM. To ensure a smooth start to a Revit project, the Model Manager must prepare and manage the BIM Kickoff Meeting, consulting with the office BIM Manager (who should always be invited to this meeting).

Prior to the BIM Kickoff Meeting

Review the BIM Execution Plan (BEP) with your internal team and revise as required to meet the scope and criteria of the specific project. If your firm doesn't have a BIM Execution Plan, you should definitely develop one. A great resource is the Penn State BIM Execution Plan Planning Guide.

Key elements to review and confirm

• Collaborating within a network or viaBIM 360Design.
  • IfBIM 360Design is to be used, coordinate with the BIM Manager and IT department regarding any special requirements and procedures to execute at the project’s inception. This should have been determined before the beginning of the project, as there is an additional cost associated with this cloud-based solution.
• Review the list of model elements, confirm that those elements exist in your project and who is responsible for them.
• If working with an existing building, outline existing elements that will be modeled and if they will be modeled in a separate model that will be linked into the primary production model.
• Propose frequency and method of model exchange.
  • To keep communication clear and transparent it is VITAL that each consultant include a list of major changes to the model from the last exchange with each exchange.
• Level of detail and what that means.
  • Often the detail that something is modeled does not have to equal the actual information that lives in the object itself. It's good to have a list of all the elements in the model and the LOD for each for both Modeling and Information.
• Verify the Revit template that should be used, if your office has more than one.
• Verify requirements for client deliverables.
  • This may include CAD exports, PDFs, hard copy full/half size, and a Revit model.
    • If the Revit model is to be delivered, the exact requirements of what information is to be included in the model needs to be determined and written out at the beginning of the project - THIS ONE IS CRITICAL - you want to make sure that you understand the owner's deliverable expectations and what they plan on using the model for (if at all) after the project is done. A model that will eventually be used for facilities management should be started differently than one that won't be, and it is MUCH EASIER to set it up for this use at the beginning.

Send the revised BEP to consultants for review

To save time, after you have updated the BEP for your project, send it to your consultants and have them review it and provide comments. This will speed up the BIM Kick-off meeting and limit it to just the elements that are in question. Confirm that the model managers for each consultant will be present at this meeting.

At the BIM Kick-off Meeting

Review the BEP with the entire project team, internal and external, and make any mutually agreed upon adjustments.

• The key elements to review are the same as above, you are just doing it with the whole team.

Make sure that the Model Managers for each of the other models is present at this meeting. This is CRITICAL as they are the central knowledge bank for this project and need to be involved in any and all conversations and discussions related to the Revit Model(s).

Stay tuned next week for Part 3: Project Setup Tasks.

Happy Reviteering!