Fabio Roberti is the Regional Practice Technology Leader- EMEA at HKS Architects. He implements digital strategy to consolidate processes and workflows to enhance project deliverables and supports BIM processes to improve technology adoption with an understanding of British Standards and ISO 19650.
He analyses BIM contractual requirements and collaborates with the Commercial and Bid departments. Besides BIM excellence, Fabio is interested in the rapidly advancing artificial intelligence sector, programming and technologies which support superior construction deliverables. He is also the author of the book “Increasing Autodesk Revit Productivity for BIM Projects”, which helps companies with BIM implementation and information management.
Amazon book link: click here
About HKS Architects:
At HKS, design builds trust between the collaboration, the clients, and those who inhabit the places that are designed. They aim to inspire and empower the people and communities who encounter their work. To preserve and respect our natural resources, they create places that conserve and rejuvenate our planet.
Researching quality information is crucial for enhancing productivity in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. By integrating information management with research practices, professionals can access high-quality inputs when utilising software tools, thereby amplifying productivity. This synergistic approach, when combined with effective software practices, particularly in Building Information Modeling (BIM) projects, can empower companies to generate structured data for future analyses. The pivotal factor in this process is the prioritisation of quality data.
Looking ahead, the future of BIM lies in improved information management. Enhanced software productivity, driven by three key factors—improved information management, software training and settings, and hardware and infrastructure—plays a central role in this evolution.
While many businesses are well-equipped in terms of software training and hardware/infrastructure, the emphasis is now on enhancing information management. Accessing the right information at the right time is paramount for boosting productivity, yet implementing this concept is not without its challenges.
Although familiarity with software grows over time, achieving higher output requires a concerted effort to improve team-wide information management practices. This approach minimises errors, reduces the need for task repetition, and optimises project timelines. While international standards like ISO 19650 support this endeavour, it's essential to tailor standards to your company's specific needs and workflows. For instance, HKS has successfully implemented the ISO 19650 Standard, demonstrating its commitment to enhancing information management in BIM projects. Ultimately, the most effective standard is one that is diligently applied and well-documented, facilitating continual improvement in the information management process.
Productivity
Productivity measurement encompasses various methodologies tailored to different industries and sectors.
At its core, productivity is calculated by dividing output by input, represented by the formula: Output ÷ Input = Productivity.
For instance, in the context of design and drawing tasks, productivity can be quantified by dividing the number of design and drawing sheets by the labour hours invested: Design and Drawing Sheets ÷ Labor hours = Productivity.
But of all productivity methodologies, with regard to Information Management, time management is of the utmost importance.
Project Management
Think about the best and most productive project you have worked on. Why have you selected the project you have in mind? Maybe because everyone knew what to do and had the information at the right time. This is made possible by a Project Manager or the Project Leader and Information Management is what makes great Project Managers and successful projects.
Information Management is connected to increasing productivity and efficiency. The critical factor when it comes to improving productivity is to have quality and precise inputs to produce models and drawings. Without quality inputs, there is a risk that you will have to re-do the work, reducing overall productivity. Quality inputs for digital production on the other hand will allow you to be more efficient and become a team player who meets every single project deadline.
Information Management
The Information Management Process for high-quality information is set in place to improve productivity and efficiency in any software. High-quality information serves as the bedrock for informed decision-making, guiding the direction of projects and shaping strategies and objectives. Such data fuels the development of projects, enabling teams to plan effectively and execute with precision. The ability to analyse high-quality data swiftly facilitates proactive risk mitigation, leading to reduced risks and overall project costs. Moreover, it enhances efficiency and productivity by providing accurate insights and streamlining processes. Additionally, high-quality information aids in identifying project dependencies, allowing for better resource allocation and coordination. Its qualities include:
- Accuracy: Verifiable source
- Completeness: Ability to effectively deliver all the required values
- Consistency: Correct format and without duplication or conflict
- Right time: Information available when it is required
- Relevance: Fit for purpose
- Clarity: Enables users to perceive the information
- Correct Level of Detail: Correct requirements for the desired outcome
After we obtain high-quality data, we must discuss the information management process. Although every business manages information differently, ISO standards—an international standard—offer guidance. Between the Delivery and Operational phases, having high-quality information undoubtedly boosts your productivity and efficiency.
Team Management
In BIM projects, team management is crucial to productivity. When information is needed for users to model the project and carry out other tasks, good team management will deliver it on time. In decentralised project management where the decision-making authority is shared among several people or teams, the BIM Manager plays an important role. They may provide guidance on the BIM deliverable, the timeline for completing tasks, and any risks associated with information delivery during the collaborative decision-making and project-planning process.
Decentralised planning offers numerous benefits that enhance project efficiency and teamwork. By fostering collaborative decision-making, every team member actively contributes to the planning process, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of project goals and requirements. This approach results in a precise identification of the critical path, with multiple dependencies clearly defined, leading to realistic and universally accepted project timelines. Clear delineation of priorities on a daily basis ensures alignment across the team, while fast feedback loops enable prompt adjustments to avoid potential delays. With the project leader overseeing the big picture, decentralised planning facilitates agile and proactive management, ultimately driving project success.
A good team is not very valuable without a good plan. A good plan is one acceptable to everyone and one people can trust to succeed in. It must be flexible to the changing demands of the project and respond to these changes through feedback from the team to avoid delays.
Collaborative Decisions
In our field, there are numerous experts from various fields who can offer guidance on how to establish a critical path for completing the project and the data we need to incorporate into or link to models. Our industry with a wide range of applications must especially ensure data flow between users and applications from various industries.
Project Dependencies
Project dependencies refer to the relationships or connections between tasks or activities within a project. These dependencies outline the sequence in which tasks need to be performed and the relationships between them. In other words, project dependencies specify which tasks are dependent on the completion of others and which can be started independently. Understanding project dependencies also helps ensure that tasks are executed in the correct order. A simple example is to have the survey model before starting the modelling process. It makes sense, but many projects start without the survey or continue to the late stages without the survey.
Fabio explains the process of searching for project dependencies with the children’s book Finding Wally. “My daughters are very good at searching and finding Wally, but I can’t find it easily! What is the connection between Project Dependencies and this children’s book? The key point is the search process for Project Dependencies that we can all develop, not for Wally but for the Project Dependencies. We can search for Project Dependencies to gain productivity in any software!”
Why do we need Project Dependencies?
Effectively managing the project dependencies results in tasks that can be completed without having to waste time redoing work. Project dependencies play a crucial role in project management by providing a structured framework for task sequencing, defining the critical path, resource allocation, and opportunity identification. They help in organising the order of tasks, ensuring that each task is executed in the appropriate sequence to achieve project objectives efficiently. By defining the critical path, project dependencies highlight the tasks that are essential for project completion and enable project managers to prioritise their efforts accordingly. Additionally, they facilitate the identification of the resources needed to accomplish each task, ensuring that adequate resources are allocated to prevent delays. Moreover, project dependencies enable project managers to identify opportunities for accelerating project tasks, thereby enhancing project efficiency and reducing overall project duration.
For example, when designing a glass facade we need to wait to receive the slap edge position before refining the panel size. The key is to gain productivity in the modelling software based on a sequential order of activities that avoids re-work. This will avoid wasting time refining the panel system before receiving quality information about the slab edge.
Managing Dependencies
Some of the typical dependencies like delays in receiving the building survey and BIM models or updates, as well as requirements related to asset management and the numbering system, hinder the project. Additionally, dependencies arise from incomplete data requirements, undefined model coordinates, and multiple dependencies on daily Revit activities. These dependencies highlight critical factors that can impact the progress of a project and emphasise the importance of addressing them promptly to ensure smooth workflow and timely completion.
In the UK, a document called a Master Information Delivery Plan (MIDP) lists all deliverables, including Drawings, models, reports and other documents to counter these issues. There is also a column to track the dependencies to deliver milestones. If we have dependencies representing a risk or becoming a risk as the project develops, we can complete the Risk and Dependencies Summary on the sheet to be better informed. This document helps to inform the client and the task teams about the risks or dependencies on the deliverables.
To rocket productivity and efficiency in any software, teams need to ensure that these four factors are aligned.
- Good Information Management
- Software and processes training
- How Project Dependencies Affect Software Tasks
- Hardware and Infrastructure that is right
Across all software, the action plan is to increase productivity by defining the BIM use and deliverables. Decentralised planning and collaborative decision-making are facilitated through meticulous research for quality information and the implementation of effective Information Management processes. It involves listing software tasks and project dependencies to align with project objectives, followed by the resolution of these dependencies before refining the model. Prioritisation of essential tasks in accordance with project deadlines ensures efficient progress. Finally, ongoing measurement and evaluation of progress help maintain project alignment and identify areas for improvement.
Training versus productivity
With well-trained staff not only does productivity improve but so does the return on investment. There are multiple options to provide training, which is the main factor for companies to quickly implement any software in a new team and bring users to a good level of productivity. Revit training, essential to increase productivity can also be scheme-based according to the team members' roles. Multiple training types in short slots of regular intervals improve effectivity of users.
Time management principles and prioritising tasks also help.
Time management principles focus on the process of planning your work before starting a task and avoiding re-work. Quality information, prioritising your work and providing feedback contribute to efficient work progress. Get it right the first time and watch out for the project dependencies making extra time for unexpected tasks. This can also be achieved by planning for interferences beforehand.
BIM is a dynamic concept that is becoming increasingly interconnected with information management and the entire task team needs more training in both areas. If every team member received fundamental training in information management and project management, how quickly and effectively would the group function? The team would not just excel but thrive. A team that has received training in project and information management will be better able to manage their workload, work with dependable data, and accomplish their goals more quickly. Project management, intertwined with information management, underscores the critical role of team management in BIM projects. By prioritising quality data and harnessing effective software practices, particularly in Building Information Modeling (BIM) projects, companies can lay the groundwork for structured data analytics and informed decision-making in the future.
