After we set the stage for BIM being a marketing effort in part I, lets start the approach of this marketing effort within organizations: Implementing BIM as a technology and process is one thing, building company credentials and portfolio that supports the promises you make when responding to RFP and presenting to clients is another. It requires incorporating BIM within the DNA and fabric of your organization.

Establish | BIM VISION & STATEMENT

You should start by establishing a BIM vision and a mission statement. These should be tied to your company’s philosophy and goals.

Your BIM vision is the first thing prospective and/or existing clients will see. In addition to aligning with your overall business model, it will need to be real. This statement should reflect:

• Organizational culture towards BIM philosophy.
• Role and place in the industry as it relates to BIM.
• Your BIM path that you plan to lead moving forward.

In addition, and as you can see, a BIM vision and statement doesn’t require the learning of a piece of software. It is a new way of doing business, if your production staff understand the power of BIM – however those in the front-lines from CEO to Project Managers don’t, then you can’t really call yourself a BIM capable organization.

Below are a couple of BIM Vision Statement examples:

http://www.cfm.va.gov/til/bim/BIMGuide/lifecycle.htm

“VA’s Office of Construction and Facilities Management (CFM) has determined that Building Information Modeling (BIM) represents both an enhanced technology and a process change for the architecture-engineering-construction-facilities management industry. VA is committed to moving both the organization and its service providers to BIM as effectively and efficiently as possible, and to integrating BIM process requirements and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) methodologies into its delivery requirements”

The Autodesk BIM deployment plan document guides you into developing a vision: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?id=14652957&siteID=123112

Let us then look at BIM in what it can offer our clients and facility owners, a none-traditional (technology/process) approach would reveal a business integration approach for business developers:

 ”3D”  BIM: modeling & documentation

This service allows for utilizing BIM as a tool to develop and deliver design for all disciplines in a 3D format with intelligence built into the delivery to be harvested and/or utilized at a later time. This service offers clients:

• Focus on design – not drafting.
• Early visualization by client – faster approval cycles.
• Ease of coordination between construction documents.
• Spatial Coordination between disciplines
• Clash detection and conflict resolution limiting issues on-site and during construction.

 “4D” BIM: integration for construction

Here we are able to build upon the “3D” service by adding timeline and schedule attributes to ensure on-time, smooth constructability and delivery of projects:

• Extraction of intelligent data and automated schedules.
• Ability to take-off materials and quantities.
• Models + Projects Schedules à Construction Sequencing.
• Projecting future construction sequence conflicts.
• Tracking and identifying location of material and pieces on-site in a simulated environment.
• Visualization of construction-sites for contractors, subs and clients on-site in trailers.
• Integration of BIM with mobile-devices for managing construction & commissioning / hand-over.

“5D” BIM: COST estimation

Not just about simulating cost on a BIM model, it really redlines the way you communicate with the owner and offer them live up-to-date information that helps them see the current cost and compare it to the estimated total target cost of their project. As well as interim costs against design during design phases.

 “6D” BIM: Building Lifecycle Integration

Offering integrated, maybe proprietary, facility management solutions to clients by utilizing BIM information from 3D, 4D and 5D to integrate in the operation, maintenance and future renovations of buildings. Through such service, you are able to assist the client in controlling cost and getting the best out of their designed envelop. Now leveraging BIM to assist in a state-of-the-art FM / O&M solutions.

 BIM Specialty Services

As BIM experts, you should be able to offer guidance to your clients on how to utilize and/or implement BIM within their organizations and / or on their projects to the best fit their needs and future. This leads to a more educated client and manageable expectations, not to mention further opportunities:

• BIM Roadmaps and Integration: documented standards and procedures.
• Establish and/or build intelligent bldg. prototypes / content libraries for use with other consultants.
• Convert existing building to BIM virtual models.
• Oversee and manage BIM process during design / construction projects.
• Maintain an up-to-date BIM As-Builts during construction.
• Better RFP documents with direct expectations and anticipated results.

While not all AE firms may consider offering a separate line of business for BIM consultancy, it is critical to note that our customers are looking to us to help them navigate through BIM in a similar way we chose to do with sustainable design. My approach is one that sets your firm aside from competition, while you make look at these services as scope beyond design and construction – I look at them as a vehicle that will distinguish you from the other firm and allow you to book more work through BIM empowered design and construction delivery.  Who will lead this process? We will cover that in Part III.

More and more organizations such as GSA, local government agencies and large developers are changing their pitch. A few years back it was common to see an RFP asking for “some BIM” scope as part of documenting design on projects. Today, shortly after, the same organizations are expecting much more in terms of demonstrated BIM expertise on real-time projects.

Currently a number of leading key-challenges are creating a large gap between BIM, as a technical implementation, and what an organization can offer through its marketing capabilities. Identifying those challenges will ultimately assist you in formulating a plan to tackle each issue individually and achieve a better orchestrated strategy, offering your clients the services/expertise they deserve.

 

COMPETITIVE MARKET
In a difficult environment, everyone in the industry is here to compete for both new and repeat business, where the stakes are rapidly changing. The expectations placed on our firms to grow and win projects are rising exponentially. In today’s marketplace, it is no longer about what you have done, rather, what you have done lately.

As organizations begin to recognize the substantial adoption of BIM and the competitive nature of the current marketplace, the very limited amount of clients that we’re willing to pay extra for BIM deliverables are simply gone. There is now a solid understanding among these organizations that the industry is moving towards BIM and integrated design leveraging sustainability and the tools that support an integrated project delivery approach. If you don’t offer these services at a competitive rate, someone else will.

Consider this – if in one or two years from today 50% of all RFPs in the AEC industry would require BIM and you have not yet established a BIM consultative expertise, you would have to win twice as many of none-BIM RFPs just to maintain the same level of business. Essentially, be twice as strong in a market half the size.

NEW BUSINESS PROCESSES
Given the varying stages of BIM understanding and adoption levels, it is difficult to gauge our current growth rate. We can review the McGraw-Hill data polled in 2010 in their publication “The Business Value of BIM”. This report reflects a growth of 49% in North America in 2009. The reported percentage reflects the fact that we are adopting BIM rapidly as a technology, the question is, are we looking at the new business processes this involves and how will it affect our ability to win work?

A lot of us are embracing the new BIM technology just fine under such rapid pressure. The issue becomes lack of time spent on the processes involved with this adoption. BIM is a new process, failure to study and document how it integrates in this business yields several challenges in key-areas relating directly to defining BIM scope and solicitation of services rendered:

Strategy & Vision – There is a significant lack of education on BIM leading to a deficiency in strategy, vision and direction. You must understand what you are selling in order to sell it effectively and attain clients/work. In general, organizations look to implementing BIM as a technology and this approach mainly transitions over to bidding work. Here the word “BIM” is viewed as a piece of software, which misses all together the new opportunities and/or potential liabilities of accepting the work as-is with lack of scope definition.

BIM Leadership – There is lack of BIM champions that can implement the technology while understanding the business side both internally within their organization and externally for clients. The new role of a BIM leader is not yet recognized or defined.

Communication is Redefined – Despite of the aggressive adoption of BIM, in most cases, design and contractor teams are still caught in the same vicious cycle of their relationship. They don’t realize that BIM redefines the communication between all players on a project by introducing a highly communicative environment to deliver a better product to the owner. This communication change calls for different business relationships and a paradigm shift in culture that is yet to be outlined:

• Multi-Design team communication (same or multi-company)
• Design and construction teams’ communication on projects.
• AEC relationships with their owners and clients.

The Definition of BIM – It depends who you talk to, the definition of BIM varies. It is evident that most business developers and RFP responders view BIM as a method to create three-dimensional models with some intelligence involved. They are completely missing the ultimate point of delivering a full virtual design and construction (VDC) package to the client. A product they can leverage today or in the future.

Credentials and Experience – While some companies were able to complete multiple million S.F. projects in BIM, the vast majority are still trying to integrated a true BIM concept solution on projects in tandem with balancing billings, phases, submittals and so on. As we continue to become experts on sustainability and others types of services, we are lacking the consultant expert mentality on BIM to lead our clients and make sure they are getting the most out of the product they are asking for.

• Lack of firms’ corporate BIM portfolios and credentials.
• Inadequate internal BIM implementations, thus inability to supply clients with a solid strategy.
• Industry is mainly focusing on gearing up the technology instead of looking at this as an opportunity to add another line of business to their arsenal of services.

Over the past several months I worked very closely with a reprographics giant to create an on-site FM solutions for our AEC firm to manage reproduction internally. This solution worked so greatly so far for our organization and it is helping cut cost tremendously.

I was recently asked by the IRGA Convention to speak on BIM as part of a panel of two very accomplished speakers. My point of view will address the convention which most of which are reprographers and their suppliers on how BIM is changing the AEC industry. Partly, this speaking engagement will cover topics to educate them how BIM is evolving our business. The other part, is project how it will evolve their business to catch-up with ours.

So as I continue to put together my thoughts for the presentation, I took the time to think deeply of how their business will be affected by BIM. For one thing, I noticed a lot of reprographers now have a “BIM” business unit that goes after BIM work. I think to myself, REALLY?! Now they want to come after our thin market?! I think it is a joke how the term BIM is used so recklessly that it is losing the meaning of BIM.

In my mind, it is not farfetched to anticipate a “BIM Handler” business that will provide collaboration tools, virtualization and cloud computer power for a true BIM integrated project. It is not just 3D printing. Between BIM and sustainability – I wonder what the future of reprographics will be? Of course, that is after a really LONG time given that the AEC industry is slowly adopting BIM.

This doesn’t leave out others that will continue to be committed to printing such as Oil and Gas industry and many of the process piping and industrial design and construction firms that are less interested in BIM.

Let me know what you guys think of this, your feedback is valued.

I arrived at the chopping block, and to be honest: I looked around me in the speaker-ready room and found some big name speakers preparing for their first recording of the day while somewhat not together. (Only because we care). I had some nice conversations with my friend Donnie Gladfelter (The CAD Geek) which always helps. So finally I was called by the staff, it is my time to record one of three Virtual sessions in AU2010 and I thought “let the fun begin”. I really wasn’t joking. I arrived at a fun room with all these gadgets for filming, the staff were so much fun and pretended to care about my BIM and/or CAD Leadership passion.

So you get to do one take and one take only, at first it seemed “what the heck” I have to go for one hour and be camera-perfect?! All I had to do, is imagine that you my kind AU audience were the camera and I was reaching out to you through this studio. It turned out to be SO MUCH fun, a technology method that AU invests so much time and effort into to coordinate and deliver significant content to those that are unable to come to AU. Through AU Virtual — you are able to live the event moment by moment and we get to live it with you.

I can say that despite of my fears of letting you down, my AU Virtual classes were a huge success and I intend to do it again and again, as long as AU Virtual is offered by Autodesk University. As promised to my camera crew, a special thank you to all of you for being kind, caring and very patient with all of us!

I have not been shy about my passion and respect to Autodesk University (AU). You want to know my history and commitment to AU, just look up this interview to see for yourself. With AU2011 call for proposals being open right now and the actual event right around the corner, I wanted to write a piece to honor and thank AU Speakers. Not myself, but those that I have looked up to and learned a lot from and wanted to grow to become part of for many years.

This will give you our audience a good insight on what goes on behind the doors of an AU Speaker as well as a descent guide for becoming one, should you decide to submit for a class this year.

AU – The Event
For me, it is the most exciting industry event of the year. I guess you could say the world-cup of soccer. A place where you get to meet like-minded professionals that share high-quality: Design, Construction and Technology skills. Or what I like to call entrepreneur technologists. AU is the magical land of combining technical methodologies, strategic implementations and the future of our tools and processes “tomorrow”.

Definition of AU Speakers
Extremely passionate, highly qualified professionals and knowledge givers with varying areas of expertise yet all sharing a common variable which is serving our industries that are driven by creativity, design, engineering, assembly and technology.

In addition to all the above, AU Speakers go through a lot to deliver very unique and creative new content to you our audience every single year. Just read on and see for yourself some of the fun tasks:

Sharing the Knowledge: You have to be willing to share the wealth of your knowledge. Actually passing your own success and failures to others. AU Speakers are not information hoarders, they want to educate an entire industry to take us all to the next level.

Commitment: Since we are delivering content to our peers in the industry, it is the standard of AU as well as your elite speakers to deliver the best of the best in class material. This requires a significant commitment on our part to conduct deep research, solicit input, reach out to others to package up the best available hand-out and presentation to present to our audience to make it worthwhile their time. Why? Because we understand the pressure that you are burdened by your own boss to come back with solutions to every problem there is in your organization.

Battling Bosses: If you think every boss or company is excited about their employee becoming an AU Speaker, think twice. We have to battle through using project information, showcasing workflows and revealing “company secretes” to our competitors, as if we are the only ones that know how to create a REVIT family in the world.

With all of that being said, AU provides the best tools for speakers to manage their content and/or prep us to deliver the best of content. For me being an AU Speaker is a fun yet extremely challenging exercise that I simply look forward to enjoying every year. What makes it all worth it, is the participation and kind appreciation by you our audience.
See you all at AU-2011

I spent a 100% of my career managing and making decisions for AECO organizations as a Technology/BIM/CAD Leader. I am excited to see the day that Autodesk University hosts a Design Technology Management Summit at Autodesk University 2010 I am in particular privileged to be part of the team that put this summit together and one of the judges that will be assessing the fun festivities of the day.

Well from the front line of the DTMC @ Autodesk University, I will get back to the fun now and shortly after report on the day. During the DTMC I will be hosting two sessions:
1) BIM & Business Development
2) What do we need from our Autodesk resellers?

Just remember if you are on your to this nice room, this event about Technology Leaders sharing ideas, discussing and challenging one-another as like-minded people.
For now, enjoy and we will see you shortly!

Autodesk University 2010 is fast approaching in Las Vegas. I am having the privilege yet again to be a speaker this year. My role at AU is always focused on the Business and Process sides of Building Information Modeling (BIM). This year, I will have a nice combination of Virtual, Lecture and UnConference sessions. My schedule is reflected below. Feel free to reach-out with any questions:

BO332-1V: BIM In Your Organization

DT128-3U: BIM and Business Development

DT131-3U: What Do We Need from Resellers?

CM344-1V: From CAD Managers to Leaders

BO422-1: Responding to the BIM RFP

I am working on my AU2010 class: Responding to the BIM RFP.
From my perspective, this is a growing challenge, as we move forward with BIM in a very economical challenging time. Our focus has been on the technology and maybe processes, however, very little done on the marketing and business development side.

Your assistance with this survey will be very much appreciated.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BIMRFP

Dear readers, I must start out by apologizing to everyone for not keeping up the information on my blog. A very good personal and industry freind (cadkicks.com) got on to me this morning for not maintaing the blog.

All I have to report is good news: I have accepted a new role and challenge wih a fantastic healthy organizaion as a Managing Director overseeing BIM / CAD Technologies. More on that to come soon.

Due to my recent role, I have been able to focus on manaing BIM beyond A/E Design and looking in construction, owner benifits and FM at great deal of depth. again, more about sone of these processes in the near future.

Today I am attending a McGraw Hill Constrction in Dallas with a number of companies including A/E and Construction Management on the BIM topic with real-life experiences.

I will close by saying BIM continues to advance, it is coming people… Not just 3D but far beyond and many are taking the role of educators in the industry. I will be sharif thoughts on several roundtable discussion that I will be attending and/or speaking a in the next months.

So the week we all have been waiting for is finally here. I am doing final touches on my presentation slides for both of my classes.

You can find my classes and schedule here, I look forward to seeing everyone at an exciting Autodesk University 2009