Contractors are wrestling with serious challenges around quality of workmanship, in a cost-driven business environment, where low margins are the expected norm. The Hackitt requirement of creating the golden thread that connects the original specification to products that were recommended, and then what was actually installed, means that there is a need to deliver very efficiently- to avoid additional costs impacting on commercial viability. And this is all before we look into quantifying- and reducing- carbon footprint.

One of the key areas that the Construction Group tackles is to resolve the general reluctance to discuss and implement BIM within the industry, specifically within the construction phase.

Better Information Management, through design and during construction, which will allow for fewer defects, better quality, more efficient programs, and more sustainable and environmentally friendly ways of working, is clearly the way to go.

Q & A with Construction Group Leaders.

1. What are the specific problems your group is setting out to resolve?

   We would like to resolve the general reluctance to discuss and implement BIM within the industry, specifically within the construction phase. BIM can be widely used in the field, although there are many contractors and more so housebuilders that have not yet adopted these new technologies

2. What will be achieved by the resolution of each specific problem?

   Better information management through design and during construction which will allow for fewer defects, better quality, more efficient programs and more sustainable and environmentally friendly ways of working. Going from paper based solutions to digital for example, will save heaps of paper throughout the construction industry. Safer construction sites will be achieved by the use of BIM 4D and clearer more accurate drawings and data will be able to be accessed by all disciplines, remotely.

3. What process will you employ to find resolutions?

   We are happy to continue research and development as well as push through the workstreams to produce resolutions and outcomes.

4. How will you test each solution?

   Go out to other industry professionals to gain feedback and look to implement within our own companies. We could also test by showing other BIM4H groups and workstreams to gain feedback

5. What specific methods will you employ to communicate resolutions to all stakeholders (Incl. BIM implementers, industry, customers, legislators & policy makers)?

   We are hoping for our work to be uploaded to the BIM4H website for all construction professionals to gain access to. In addition we would be happy to push outputs out to other working groups within the industry

6. What KPIs will you use to measure the success of your a) your solutions and b) the effectiveness and reach of your communications?

   We would see what feedback we are receiving and then check the pros and cons given of each. Should this not be effective, and we do not receive much feedback, we would look to push through other channels and contact other professionals within the industry to help drive our ambitions in demonstrating work produced and discussed.