Building Your BIM Standards: Essential Elements for Revit Workflows
Johnny Fortune
BIM Director
AS196168
Introduction
Raise your standards and the universe
will meet you there…- Unknown
Learning Objectives
DEVELOP WELL-BALANCED STANDARDS
• Learn how to develop company or corporate standards that strike the right
balance between stringent and flexible
IDENTIFY COMMON BEST PRACTICES
• Discover basic BIM guidelines and best practices that are common
among various published standards
DISTINGUISH BETWEEN STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES AND WHEN TO USE WHAT
• Understand the differences between standards and guidelines, and learn how best to implement each
• Discover aspects of BIM workflows that need not be standardized
Description
How-to Build a System of BIM Standards and Guidelines for your organization
Authoring and implementing BIM (Building Information Modeling) standards can be tedious and difficult.
Where do you even start? This class will present data collected from standards and guidelines of various
entities, such as corporations, academia, local and federal government, and national and international
groups. We’ll identify commonalities from each of the standards and compile them to produce data that you
can use to develop and implement BIM standards that work for you. The session will delve even deeper to
identify Revit software-specific content needed for BIM standards. The class will help make clear
distinctions between standards and guidelines, as well as identify topics that don’t need to be
standardized. The class will focus on standards development for a holistic BIM workflow within Revit and
provide essentials for integrating workflows with AutoCAD and Navisworks.
All images in this presentation are custom, used by permission, or licensed under Creative Commons unless otherwise noted. CC BY-SA-NC
About the speaker
Johnny Fortune
BIM/IT Director – Bullock Tice Associates
Architecture & Interior Design
Board of Direction – buildingSMART® alliance
SME/Technical Writer/Editor – VA BIM Standards
Contributing Author – NCS, NBIMS-USTM,
NBGO, NIBS Journal
Conference Speaker – AU, AEC Next, BIMForum,
CSI, SAME, GeoBuiz, NIBS Bldg Innov & Expo@fortunejohnny
www.linkedin.com/in/fortunejohnny
Identify the Why and Outcome
Begin with the End in mind-Dr. Stephen Covey
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Start with the Why- Simon Sinek
Ted Talk
Why BIM Standards?
Identify why you want to develop the standards and what you hope to achieve.
Here are some questions to consider:
1. Why are you developing your own standards?
2. Who are the key stakeholders that are needed for buy-in and
implementation?
3. What should your standards address? What should it omit?
4. When will you develop or update this content?
5. Where will this content live and how will it be accessed?
6. How will these align with the organizational mission, goals, and objectives?
7. How will you implement these standards?
Understanding the Terms
STANDARD
an idea or thing used as a measure, norm, or
model in comparative evaluations.
a required or agreed level of quality or attainment
REQUIREMENT
a thing that is needed or wanted.
compulsory; a necessary condition.
SYSTEM
a set of connected things or parts forming a complex
whole, in particular
a set of principles or procedures according to which
something is done; an organized scheme or method.
GUIDELINE
A general rule, principle, or piece of advice
These terms are commonly interchanged but they have different meanings. As this
session uses these terms it is intended with the following definitions.
Definitions taken from Google.com (Oxford English Pocket Dictionary)
BIM Standards System
A BIM manual alone is typically insufficient to outline all
the topics that should be addressed for an organization.
Conceptual System
Complete BIM Standards are generally
made up of a system that is part of a
supra-system and contains sub-systems.
Quality Management
Supra-System
Standards
System
Topics
Sub-Systems
Structured System
• Requirements
o Mandatory
o Measurable Standards
• Guidelines
o How-to documents
o Suggested workflows
• Content
o Software templates
o Object Library
• Support
o Team of champions
o Skilled Users
• Training
o Face-to-Face
o Web
• Administration
o Key Personnel Buy-in
o Management
SYSTEM
ALIGNMENT
For the entire system, remember ALIGNMENT is paramount. One change in a sub-
system effects the overall system and often requires another change in a different
sub-system. These changes must always be checked against the supra-system.
General Topics
The system provides the framework. Let’s identify typical
General Topics to be included in the system.
Frequently Mentioned Requirements
Common BIM Requirements help identify Essential BIM Skills
as well as General Topics for your BIM Standards System.
Chae & Kang - Requirement Categories’ Frequency-Of-Mention
Chae, L. S., & Kang, J. Ph.D. (2015). Understanding of Essential BIM Skills through BIM Guidelines. 51st ASC Annual International Conference Proceedings,
Associated Schools of Construction. http://ascpro0.ascweb.org/archives/cd/2015/paper/CPGT384002015.pdf
BIM Documents Reviewed
• USACE
• VA
• San Antonio
• NY DDC
• Ohio
• Wisconsin
• LACCD
• Penn State
• Ga Tech
• USC
• Indiana Univ.
BIM Use Frequency and Benefit
3D Coordination, Design
Review, and Design
Authoring are still some of
the most commonly used
BIM Uses
Ralph Kreider, John Messner, and Craig Dubler, “Determining the Frequency and Impact of Applying BIM for Different Purposes on Building Projects,” in Proceedings
of the 6th International Conference on Innovation in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) (Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA, 2010),
http://www.engr.psu.edu/ae/AEC2010/ .
The Frequency and Benefit of each BIM Use
Identify BIM Uses important for
your organization and document
workflows for each.
Additional General Topics
Other frequently mentioned General Topics are below.
Consider including these in your BIM Standards System.
References
Full Ref.
• BIMForum LOD
• USACE M3
Partial Ref.
• NCS
• NBIMS
Organization
Purpose
Scope
Background
Policy
Structure
Roles/ Resp.
Process
Execution Plans
BIM Uses
LOD
Output
Graphical
Drafting
Delivery
Revit Topics
Identify the software-specific topics to be included in the system.
Revit Specific Topics
Some Revit specific topics to consider for the BIM Standards System include
Setup
Coordinates
Naming Conventions
Collaboration
Model Divisions
Management
File Maintenance
Browser/System Organization
View Settings
Phasing/Design Options
Modeling
Model/Detail
Classifications
Constraints
Exclusions
Workflow
Data Prep
Import
Export
Post Process
BIM Implementation Section - NCS
Derived from the Authoring Content Subsection
• Begin authoring model and model objects with appropriate template and maintain
correct categorization of all components. Use the correct object creation tools.
• Associate/host model objects to the appropriate reference plane or model component
and assign object/component/element characteristics, materials, and other qualities
directly to the object.
• Use automatic population of callout, views, title referencing and dimensioning.
• Derive tabular information directly from the model (schedules, indeces, keynoting).
• Derive views (floor plans, elevations, sections, details, etc.) from the model.
• Constrain, pin, or lock items that should not change to prevent accidental modification.
Source: https://www.nationalcadstandard.org/ncs6/bim/basicbimguidelines.php
National Institute of Building Sciences | © 2018 National Institute of Building Sciences. All rights reserved.
BIM Implementation Section - NCS
Derived from the Model Coordination and Delivery Subsection
• Ensure all model files within a project to share the same coordinate system, units, and
tolerance.
• Ensure all model files within a project share the same major horizontal and vertical datum.
• Purge, Clean, Audit Model(s) prior to distribution.
• Ensure Models are free of any unused or unnecessary views, links, references, erroneous
and/or duplicate geometry, temporary content, and excessive warnings or errors
• Provide one federated model per building.
• Derive Contract (Construction) Documents directly from the model.
Source: https://www.nationalcadstandard.org/ncs6/bim/basicbimguidelines.php
National Institute of Building Sciences | © 2018 National Institute of Building Sciences. All rights reserved.
Essential Elements for Revit Workflows
• CAD
o PxP and LOD development
o Assist in overall schedule development
• Model Setup
o Coordinates
o Reference datum
o Divisions, views, phasing, options
• Project Execution
o Collaboration Tools
o QC Agent
• Model Management
o Compliant with standards
o Address Warnings
o Purge, Audit, Compress
Samples in Additional
Class Materials
Importing/Exporting Data
Essential Elements for Revit Workflows
Consider
• Point Cloud Data
• CAD
o Prep
o Link
o Export
o Post Production?
• Navisworks
• 3ds
What are your standards for Importing/Exporting Data?
Requirements Manual Excerpt…
…Avoid the use of CAD data within Revit as
much as possible as it causes file size
increase. If using CAD data is necessary;
clean and prepare the CAD file(s) by erasing
any erroneous or unnecessary elements and
layers. Purge and Audit the CAD file(s) prior to
use to reduce clutter in the Revit file (Project or
Family). Ensure the scale and position of any
CAD data used in Revit is correct…
Essential Elements for Revit Workflows
Samples in Additional Class Materials
Creating the System
Plan and Build the System
Putting it All Together
References Organization Process Output
Setup Management Modeling Workflows
General Topics
Revit Topics
Requirement Topics
Organizational Topics
• Purpose
• Scope
• Background
• Glossary
• Policy
• Structure
• Roles/Responsibilities
References
Minimum LOD
Output Standards
• Graphic
• Drafting
• Sheet Set
Guideline Topics
BIM PxP
BIM Uses
Expanded LOD
Project Startup
File Setup
Importing/Exporting CAD
Navisworks Integration
What to use When & How
Modeling Guidelines
Other process topics
Workflows
Model Management
Project Closeout
Content Topics
Templates
Families
Materials
Parameters
Website Resources
Web Portal
File Storage
Other Tools
Support, Training, & Admin Topics
• Designate a Support team of
individuals that champion the system.
• Meet often with the team.
• Log the requests for help.
• Identify key personnel that needs to
buy-in to the System for success.
• Who updates the system?
• Who enforces the standard?
• Train on the entire System.
• Explain the outcome and why.
• Use training as a feedback mechanism.
Avoiding Exhaustivity
Your system can’t cover every topic. Here are some topics that
may not need to be included in your system:
• One-off topics that rarely surface and have no impact on quality
• Topics that relate to creativity and do not conflict with the
organizational goals or the rest of the system
• Topics for which you can not explain/validate the Why
• Basic Help File content
• R & D Tools
Focus on the topics that impact 80% of your projects
20%
80%
Effort
80%
20%
Result
Pareto Principle
System Development Tips
Bring all the topics together
System Development Tips
There is a list of 20 tips in the handout. Below is a condensed list:
• The system should aim to drive efficiency, productivity, and ease of
onboarding new employees.
• Write professionally (concise, complete, correct, clear) using appropriate
tone, style conventions and graphics.
• Consider an appropriate delivery method of your system to your audience
(online, SharePoint, PDFs, Tagged content, Centralized Database).
• Have a roll-out, update, and maintenance plan with a review period ,
feedback loop, and an implementation timeframe.
• Clearly distinguish between requirements vs. guidelines letting users
know what is optional and what is not.
Most importantly
Get Started!
Reference Material
Avoid reinventing something
that already works well.
Reference Material
See the handout for references to National, Government, Academia, & International
BIM Documents. Don’t forget to download the additional class materials.
Conclusion
In conclusion –
We need to get started on building the system.
Conclusion
• Answer Who, What, When, Where, Why, & How for BIM Standards.
• Make a clear distinction between requirements, guidelines, and content.
• A single document will not likely be sufficient to build your BIM Standards. Consider a
Systems approach that can include: Requirements, Guidelines, Content, Support,
Training, and Administration. Keep the system aligned with the organizational goals.
• Use the research and experience published in other BIM Documents to identity general
and software specific topics to address in your system
• Prioritize the content based on the most common topics or those that are most
important to your organization and Get Started!
@fortunejohnny
www.linkedin.com/in/fortunejohnny
Additional Resources
- Handout including Reference Materials
- Additional Class Materials on AU Website
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