The success of your BIM project is down, in no small part, to developing an effective BIM Execution Plan.
The development of such a plan, for facilitating the management of information a BIM project, is set out in PAS 1192-2:2013 where it is defined as a "plan prepared by the suppliers to explain how the information modelling aspects of a project will be carried out".
The plan, often abbreviated as BEP or BxP, is developed both pre- and post- contract and is prepared as a direct response to the Employer's Information Requirements (EIR).
The BEP will detail the project deliverables stipulated by the contract and the information exchange requirements detailed in a BIM protocol, such as the CIC BIM Protocol (a supplementary legal agreement that is incorporated into construction and professional services contracts via a simple amendment).
What's the difference between a pre- and post-contract BEP?
At tender stage, before a contract is agreed, a prospective supplier will develop a BEP with the aim of demonstrating their proposed approach, capability, capacity and competence to meet the EIR in general terms.
Once a contract has been awarded then the winning supplier is required to submit a further BIM Execution Plan. The focus of this post-contract document is to confirm the supply chain's capabilities. A Master Information Delivery Plan (MIDP) is also submitted which sets out when project information is prepared across a project, who is responsible for preparing the information and what protocols and procedures will be used to develop the information. The information is based on a series of individual Task Information Delivery Plans (TIDP) that show who is responsible for each information deliverable.
Who is responsible for the BEP when multiple suppliers are appointed?
Where a contract has appointed a number of suppliers, there is likely to be one main BIM Execution Plan (with responsibility for its production set out in appointment documents). Subsequent BEPs from later appointees must then dovetail with the existing main BIM Execution Plan.
What is required from a pre-contract BIM execution plan?
The pre-contract BIM Execution Plan is designed to address the Employer's Information Requirements (EIR). The EIR sets out the information required by an employer at points in a project where key decisions need to be made. The EIR supplements (but is distinct from) the project brief. Whereas the project brief defines the nature of the built asset being procured, the EIR defines the information about the built asset that the employer wishes to procure. The aim being to ensure that the design is developed in line with the employer's needs and the employer is able to operate the completed development effectively and efficiently.
The pre-contract BIM Execution Plan should address everything requested in the EIR and set out the Project Implementation Plan (PIP), project goals for collaboration and information modelling and key project milestones and where they fit with the broader project programme. It should also set out how the project's information model will be assembled and delivered.
View a specimen pre-contract BIM Execution Plan on the CPIC website.
The plan, often abbreviated as BEP or BxP, is developed both pre- and post- contract and is prepared as a direct response to the Employer's Information Requirements (EIR).
What is required from a post-contract BIM execution plan?
Once a contract has been awarded the contractor must comprehensively set out how the information requested in the Employer's Information Requirements will be provided. The post-contract document will therefore require far more effort from the now appointed Principal Designer (See our article on CDM 2015).
The BEP should list the agreed targets for the timely delivery, exhange, reuse and final handover to clients. It will also list all of the agreed elements as outlined in the EIR, the brief, BS 1192:2007, PAS 1192-2:2013, the CIC BIM Protocol and the contract documents.
What aspects should be covered?
There's lots to consider when it comes to determining how information is managed, planned for and documented, what standard methods and procedures will be used to deliver the information.
The BEP should include agreed roles and responsibilities (and relevant authorities and approval processes), a strategy for key deliverables and what existing information will be used, and a guide to the key project milestones and where these fit as part of the wider programme.
The logistics of collaborative processes (including modelling) should be laid out with clear responsibilities. A revised Project Implementation Plan (PIP) and a
Task Information Delivery Plan (TIDP) - showing responsibility for delivery of each supplier's information - and Master Information Delivery Plan (MIDP) - setting out when project information is to be prepared (by whom and using what protocols and procedures) will also be needed.
The BEP should also detail working procedure. How will BIM volumes be managed and maintained? What file name conventions will be adopted? What construction tolerances set and what attribute data required? A common approach to annotation, abbreviations and symbols will also be required to avoid potential ambiguity. You'll also need to determine what software will be used, what data formats will be used for exchange and what other data management systems are brought into play.
View a specimen post-contract BIM Execution Plan on the CPIC website.
