Building Information Modeling and Projects Management

Any project problems appear when team members communicate verbally or in writing. This method is not sufficient to transfer information as required. Therefore, it was necessary to emergence of engineering diagrams and using it as a common engineering language among project team members. Whereas, despite the high efficiency, transition from the traditional method of dealing with diagrams by using drawing on papers to the modern method of dealing with it by using "Computer-Aided Design CAD," "Computer Aided Engineering" and "Computer Aided Manufacturing CAM"has some difficulty. However, it continued in the same context of business process, where the transition to the Building Information Modeling (BIM) requires many change procedures, in addition to planning and coordination, contrary to the common assumption of that the transition to BIM is a transition to 3D design software. This means that it is just a change in software, where the Building Information Modeling is not just a software or 3D Model, but rather a database contains not only model elements but also huge amount of information that form the project. The previous workflows, however, depended on coordination of multiple files and asynchronous processes when making changes. Also, the BIM allows more dynamic and synchronized approach for project management. As the setting of BIM objectives in the project under construction, development and documenting a BIM implementation plan that addresses the tasks, roles, responsibilities and deliverables of the project is an integral part of profitable and well-managed project. Knowing that there are many types of projects, each of them has its own circumstances.

The importance of (BIM)

By time and with the increase of projects complexity in general, there was a need again for more clarification using sections and 3D models, in addition to emergence of the problem of connecting information with each other, which helped in creation of practical environment for the emergence of the Building Information Modeling. AS BIM is more than just helping tool for the building construction sector, but it provides a collaborative environment for work team and facilitates communication, management, and decision making. It also provides modeling and simulation for all building elements as well as cost estimation during the life cycle from the beginning to demolition. Where decision makers and project managers are interested in BIM for its providing of solutions of chronic problems in the construction sector around the world, as the Building Information Modeling provides the decision makers with a set of advantages, the most important of which are:

Improving building structure analysis, and energy and cost analysis.

Improving project communication and understanding, as the virtual building represented by the 3D model is much easier to understand than the 2D blueprints.

Improving information flow by limiting of efforts duplication.

Improving design coordination, which allows reduction of construction cost and wastes.

Improving building performance, which reduces the operating costs.

Improving costs, time and certainty and limits risks.

Effective implementation of the project.

Higher quality when using BIM, because the information needs to be entered in the Building Information Modeling projects just once, compared to traditional projects.

Implementation of successful Building Information Modeling project and project manger

We can say that the role of the project manager in the Building Information Modeling world is more important than ever, where the successful projects managers must improve communication, coordination and cooperation in the projects, which are at the core of the BIM approach, which plays a critical role in enhancing communication and cooperation between construction parties by presenting the building as a three dimensions model, which enhance imagination and view, and four dimensions reduces clashes arising from insufficient coordination during construction on site. Therefore, the BIM provides an opportunity to improve cooperation, participation, setting of project strategies and design it for sustainable development.

The project manager in the BIM is responsible for properly knowing the project, providing resources and managing of all the BIM aspects related to the project by design and construction team. The BIM project manager usually acts as consultant of the traditional project manager to properly formulate the project roles and to provide advice about the project issues and budget. The main objective of the Building Information Modeling project management is to insure the achievement of client's objectives of digital data, as the best opportunities for achieving maximum return on investment of interest are the proper projects construction and management.

In addition, the project manager is responsible for facilitate ideal central commissioning with focusing on the model and information that drive it. According to his comprehensive view of a project, the project manager will be in an ideal situation to increase the operational efficiency in term of the traditional management of the project and implementation of the BIM itself. It is supposed here to follow the plan of the projects quality management in general on the level of the efficiency of documents, programs or factual implementation on the ground. That requires the project management to study the internal and external effects of the Building Information Modeling.

On the internal level, there is a need to re-evaluate the role and responsibilities of the project managers, as well as the projects management of different types and departments, and how to work in an integrated manner according to the project management integration plan with attention to achieving the desired goal, which is achieving the required scope of implementation of the project within the proper budget scheduled to the project, and within the time period on its basis the project is studied, with consideration of providing the required quality and efficiency on the same levels of projects and on the same level of rating by institutions.

It must be noted that the project information model, which consists of design and virtual building models, is a part of the project management process. As the project manager also,who is deliver the Asset Information Model (AIM) at the completion of the project. He must insure, through management, motivation and implementation of the process, that the suitable members of the project team implemented the suitable project activities at the time in right method. It must also make maximum use of the stakeholder management plans and know the interests of each of them, the extent of their depth and study of the BIM and how to benefit from it in such program. In the event that any of the stakeholders needs specific training in the BIM, it must be recommended and instructed by the Building Information Modelingproject manager to the project manager in general, and by him to the organization that will do the work in general, and to become after that one of the basics of work in that organization later.

Merging the project management with the digital construction

There is no doubtthat there are new project management considerations with moving the organizations to adopt others and deal with them as a part of the BIM approach. It requires re-evaluation of roles and responsibilities, in addition to practice project management on both levels of organization and project. Therefore, there are new external dimensions that are also must be taken in consideration, such as dealing with others to facilitate smooth flow of information through the life cycle of the project, by using new plans for communication management within the project, where there are good plan is set for communication that includes all who must get an information, when they must have it and how it must be obtained with the best, least cost and clear method to communicate information, which must be included in the organization basis in general. As the BIM adoptsIntegrated Project Delivery (IPD) method, instead of the linear method, which is a method of organize project teams to achieve the optimal construction by reducing costs, improving productivity and creating positive results. This approach to project delivery integrates all team members, including owners, architect, construction manager, engineers and subcontractors to form a collaborative effort. The Building Information Modeling philosophy is based on alliance and cooperation between people, systems, business structures and practices in the process of harnessing the talents, ideas of all participants to improve project deliverables, increase value for owner, reduce wastes and maximize efficiency through all stages of design, manufacturing and construction.