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

Autodesk and the Autodesk logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or

trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for

typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

© 2018 Autodesk. All rights reserved.

Don’t forget to fill out the class survey in the app.