The construction industry has long suffered from project overrun, impacting construction timelines, client budgets, and growing demand. Mark Chapman, head of innovation at Elecosoft, explains why the industry needs to reconsider its approach and why 4D BIM could be the answer
Today’s construction projects have arguably never been so complex. Buildings have reached new standards of safety and sustainability – and methods and materials must be cleaner and greener than ever.
Yet whilst the need for greater levels of infrastructure has increased and urbanisation continues at pace, the processes behind the way we build have failed to evolve.
This leads to the commonplace overruns on construction timelines – projects are rarely delivered on budget and on time.
It’s clear that construction fundamentals around digital planning, estimation and risk management are in need a of structural rethink. The answer? It starts with 4D BIM.
Transformation over digitisation
Let’s be clear, this isn’t simply about digitising the industry; in that respect, it’s already on its way. A recent report from the National Federation of Builders (NFB) found 8 in 10 contractors have implemented digital transformation in their company .
Instead, it’s about changing workflows along with the industry’s approach to project planning and estimation.
After all, a system that is fundamentally flawed won’t be fixed by reproducing the processes digitally. The leopard hasn’t changed it spots.
However, by harnessing the potential of 4D BIM as a planning tool, it’s possible to build faster, estimate with greater accuracy and significantly reduce financial risk.
4D BIM needs to be used in an ‘active’ manner
This can be done by identifying two distinct styles to the way 4D BIM is used in construction: passive and active.
Through passive, 4D BIM is reduced to a simple visualisation tool and here’s why. For decades, planning teams have relied on ‘lo-fi’ 2D Gantt chart-style formats to enter details relating to construction projects.
Depending on the size of project, the number of ‘cells’ needed to record information can be vast. It’s a time and resource-heavy process that forms the basis of 3D models. Once project scheduling information is entered, it transforms a 3D model into a 4D one.
However, instead of then using 4D BIM to inform the rest of the construction journey, it’s often abandoned in place of ‘tried and tested’ 2D methods. A continual return the ‘status quo’ undermines the entire process. 4D plans that fail to be updated quickly become obsolete.
Teams also miss the opportunity to attach valuable 3D ‘metadata’ to design plans at the start of the process. This is the ‘DNA’ of any construction project, informing the time, scale and financial risk associated with each job. Whilst these models may look impressive, their true value is lost.
‘Active’ on the other hand is fundamentally different. This works by using 3D models as live planning tools; as projects evolve, so do design plans.
Data recorded in the 3D model then creates a ‘play-by-play’ of the construction process, becoming a working, visual representation, rather than just ‘eye candy’ for clients.
This offers teams the ability to identify issues ahead of time, avoiding unnecessary expense or costly remedial work. This includes running test scenarios before work begins to ensure projects are achievable within the desired timeframe.
The construction industry needs to change its approach to planning, estimation, scheduling, and risk
Given the scale of infrastructure that’s needed today – be it windfarms to help reach net-zero goals, greater transport infrastructure to reduce the reliance on cars or the retrofit of existing buildings – the industry must transform its approach to planning, estimation, scheduling and risk.
As the Einstein quote famously goes: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” The same could be said for construction, it’s only through innovation that these goals can be achieved.
Widespread adoption of 4D BIM or more specifically ‘Active 4D’ also has other benefits: it gives contractors a competitive edge.
Companies that can provide pin-sharp estimations of construction timelines and project budgets will always get first pick, after all time and cost go hand-in-hand. Those brave enough to innovate will reap the rewards.
