ITED - Blog

“As-built” BIM – Is It Always Necessary?

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:48:00 +0000

BIM models that reflect how a building was actually constructed (“as-built”) can mean many things – from geometric accuracy to structured data in documents or databases. But is it always necessary?

Geometry - how accurate is accurate enough?

So far, there are no methods that allow for cheap and highly accurate 3D models of built structures. Achieving precision beyond 20–30 cm comes with a significant cost. On top of that, viewing and analyzing this graphical information requires specific software - and very few facility managers actually use such tools, if any.

Information - the real value

In the “as-built” context, the real value often lies not in the visuals of the model, but in the information itself. This information can be:

Attached directly to model elements – for example, warranty periods, manufacturers, technical specs, etc.
Structured in documents – stored in a common data environment (CDE) with a clear folder and file naming structure.
Linked to the model – for example, using hyperlinks to connect documents to specific elements.
Exported – into Excel or dedicated facility management software.

When is it worth it?

My personal opinion - there has to be a really good reason to create a highly detailed “as-built” model. For example, in complex, high-risk buildings where every centimeter and screw matters (think oil platforms or large industrial systems).

However, if the goal is effective facility management, well-structured information (e.g., in Excel) is often enough. In that case, high-precision geometry isn’t critical – it’s sufficient to have elements linked to rooms, floors, or zones. Example: bulb type → lamp → room → floor → building.

A personal example

When I built my own house, I also created an “as-built” model. In three years, I’ve opened it once. But the Excel databases I compiled during construction, I use regularly. That’s what brings real value in daily operations even in small buildings.

14 Most Expensive BIM Project Mistakes

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:40:00 +0000

Here are 14 Most Expensive BIM Project Mistakes!

Relying on one person for model review: Expecting one person to cover engineering, IT, and software is unrealistic. Without full team involvement, especially from major stakeholders, critical issues often go unnoticed.
Asking for what you don’t use: High LOD, detailed LOI, extensive accuracy - it all costs. If it’s not being used, why pay for it? Start by defining project and BIM goals, then decide which BIM requirements actually help achieve them.
Relying on friends over experience: Choosing long-time partners over experienced BIM professionals can lead to delays, overruns, and stress. A team is only as strong as its weakest link.
Not using what you asked for: Major design issues still appear on-site because BIM was required but wasn’t actually used during design. If you ask for BIM, be involved and use the provided information - for design review, QTO, or any other purpose.
Letting BIM managers decide what matters: BIM managers often focus on technical details that may not align with project priorities. Don’t outsource your EIR to someone who doesn’t understand your goals. If you do outsource, work together to define what really matters.
PMs not involved or inexperienced: When PMs think BIM has no real impact on schedule or budget, projects tend to run over time and over budget. If you are a PM, train yourself and use BIM to support project execution.
Doing 2D first, then BIM: If BIM was required from the start, switching from 2D mid-process introduces misalignments and rework.
Not extracting drawings and quantities from models: These are core BIM uses. If you’re not leveraging them, why use BIM at all?
Unclear EIRs: A vague EIR leads to scope reduction and unmet expectations; a broad EIR can cause misalignments or demand more than you actually need. Example: asking for 4D without defining when or why will likely result in a low-detail animation with little value.
Data loss: Still happening in 2025. Whether from poor naming conventions or weak version control, data loss remains a costly problem. Have a strategy to reduce risks right from the start.
Poor communication: Not documenting meeting decisions leads to disputes. Even with trusted partners, write everything down - especially for handovers or legal situations. Always plan for the worst-case scenario.
No one checks deliverables: A solid EIR means little if no one checks the outputs. Get competent people to write it and keep them on the project to ensure compliance.
Late or missing stakeholder involvement: When major stakeholders don’t use BIM or join too late, design changes occur in late stages. BIM means collaboration - don’t exclude people who influence key decisions.
Skipping piloting / mobilisation: Rolling out inefficient quality checks and processes without piloting only creates problems that are harder to fix later.

Popular CDEs in Europe

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 12:52:00 +0000

Here are some of the most widely used BIM CDE solutions in Europe.

Trimble Connect – allows you to view 3D models, link tasks to model elements, add additional information, and extract data. Various plugins are also available, for example for augmented reality. It is a popular BIM CDE because it combines good functionality with a reasonable price. However, there are downsides – the system sometimes freezes, and site solutions are not very user-friendly.
Dalux Box – a widely used solution in Europe. Its functionality is similar to Trimble, but with broader and more practical tools for construction and facility management. The main drawback is that it is significantly more expensive than Trimble.
Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) – deeply integrated with Revit and other Autodesk tools, offering extensive functionality for the entire building lifecycle. Globally, this is the most popular CDE, but in some countries it is rarely used due to high cost and the fact that it is better suited for projects fully based on Autodesk solutions rather than IFC.

Of course, there are also other CDEs such as Bimsync, Aconex, Bentley ProjectWise, Vektor, and others – each with its strengths, for example, in infrastructure projects.

Advantages of a BIM CDE

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 08:30:00 +0000

If you’re using Google Drive or Dropbox, that’s fine for file storage, but in BIM projects you often need more: the ability to view 3D models online, link tasks to specific model elements, or add comments directly to model parts.

That’s exactly what a BIM CDE can do:

Model viewing in the browser – without needing to download files to your computer.
Task creation within the model view – for example, when an issue is found, you can assign a task directly to the model author or project manager to resolve it.
Data input and management – such as material specifications, cost information, responsible parties, deadlines, etc.

Each BIM solution is different - the market offers a variety of options (more on that in the next article). But one thing is clear: a good BIM project is not possible without a structured process supported by a Common Data Environment.

What is a Common Data Environment (CDE)?

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 17:16:00 +0000

A CDE, or Common Data Environment, is a place where BIM project files and information are stored, managed, and made accessible to the project team.

CDEs can be divided into four groups:

Local environment (your computer) – usually intended for work that is not yet meant to be shared, with no external access.
Company server – can be somewhat more flexible, sometimes with remote access, but requires IT support and security solutions.
General online storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.) – convenient for collaboration, but without BIM-specific features.
BIM-specific CDE – in addition to general functionality, it offers tools to work with models and the data within them.

A CDE is useful because it ensures:

centralized data management,
version control,
clear access level settings,
understandable workflows for the team,
the ability to use BIM information for decision-making.

In the next article: BIM CDE advantages in construction projects.

Common Issues in Federated BIM Models – and How to Solve Them

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 10:01:00 +0000

Even if BIM models are federated into one file, that doesn’t mean everything works perfectly.

In real projects, there are common roadblocks that can make the model difficult to use:

Misaligned coordinates – models open in different locations and don’t line up.
Missing models – a discipline hasn’t created their model or is unwilling to share it.
Missing elements – for example, sockets, switches, or other “small” but important details are not modeled.

How to fix it?

The first step should always be talking to the model authors – many issues can be solved quickly if spotted early. If that’s not possible:

Realign models in the viewer – if coordinates don’t match, shift and adjust them so they align spatially.
Have a third party create the missing model – if a discipline’s model is essential, it can be built from 2D drawings (we do this regularly).
Find out why elements are missing – was it intentional (not required in the spec) or simply forgotten?

If intentional, the same approach applies – create them from 2D.
If forgotten, notify the responsible modeler to add them.

BIM federation isn’t just a technical process – it’s also about communication and collaboration. The sooner issues are spotted and discussed, the fewer surprises at project handover.

How to Create a Federated BIM Model

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 07:51:00 +0000

Ideally, a BIM coordinator should always provide a ready federated model. But in reality, that’s not always the case. The good news is—you can build it yourself using either paid or free tools.

The choice of software depends on the format of the models you have:

If your models are in IFC format – this is the easiest scenario, since IFC is an open format with wide support. You can create your federated model with free tools such as:
- BIMCollab Zoom
- BIM Vision
- Open IFC Viewer
- These tools allow you to open, combine, and review multiple IFC files in a single view.
If you only have native authoring files (e.g., Revit) – there’s still a free option. Use Revit Viewer, the free version of full Revit, to open and combine models in their original format.

So, even if your project doesn’t come with a federated BIM from the start, it’s not a dealbreaker. With the right tools, you can create your own model, maintain visibility over the whole project, and reduce the risk of costly errors during construction.

How to Open a Federated BIM Model

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:20:00 +0000

When a BIM Coordinator creates a federated BIM model, it’s often saved in a specific format that can be opened with a dedicated free viewing tool. This means that even without expensive BIM software, you can explore the entire project model in a 3D environment.

Most often, federated models are created using tools like Navisworks, Solibri, or BIMCollab, but there are many other options out there.

If you receive a federated BIM file, it usually means that someone has already ensured that:

all models share the same coordinates,
they are correctly aligned in the same space,
the model is ready for viewing and analysis.

This allows you to jump straight into exploring the project – whether to review design solutions, check for clashes, or simply better understand the spatial layout in 3D.

What is a Federated BIM Model?

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 19:24:00 +0000

In a BIM (Building Information Modeling) workflow, each project discipline – architecture, structural engineering, HVAC, electrical, and so on – usually develops its own 3D model. That model might represent the entire building or just part of it, such as a single floor, a specific zone, or even just the walls.

On their own, these models live as separate files. But to really see the big picture and understand how all the pieces interact, they can be federated – combined into one unified model.

A federated BIM model lets you:

View the whole project at once – all disciplines in a single 3D space.
Spot issues early – detect clashes and design errors before they hit the construction site.
Make smarter decisions – assess different solutions for materials, engineering details, and layouts with more confidence.

In practice, it’s like this: each team works on their own piece of the puzzle, and then all those pieces are brought together into one big, coordinated “BIM puzzle.” The result? A clear, conflict-free model that makes both design and construction smoother, faster, and more predictable.

Less waste with BIM?

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 16:21:00 +0000

When I was building my house, I kept hearing surprised comments from the builders, the materials were almost exactly the amount needed. And it showed: there was barely any waste from things like facade panels or parquet cutoffs. Why? The answer is simple - BIM.

By modeling solutions in 3D already during the design phase, it’s possible to spot errors or mismatches early and solve them before construction even begins. That means fewer surprises, fewer rushed decisions on-site, and yes, significantly less construction waste.

BIM models provide accurate material quantities, which in turn allows you to order exactly what’s needed. No more ordering “just in case” — everything is planned and calculated.

The result? Less waste, lower costs, and, importantly, a smaller environmental footprint.

Fewer leftovers, less transport, no overordering.

BIM isn’t just about digital models - it’s about building smarter and more sustainably.