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    Home » The BIM Execution Plan: A Gross Anatomy
    Blog Management Project management

    The BIM Execution Plan: A Gross Anatomy

    Tarek Ghazzaoui, Eng.By Tarek Ghazzaoui, Eng.May 31, 202113 Mins Read
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    Sponsorship disclosure: This blog article is not sponsored by any entity.

    Strategy is very important in life, whether on an individual level, business level, micro-economic level, macro-economic level or global level. However, the success or failure of a strategic plan depends greatly on its execution, otherwise referred to as “operations” in many fields. The Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry is no exception to this statement, and one key field of interest in this article is design technology or Building Information Modeling (BIM).

    Whether we are discussing strategy or operations in BIM, we must have a plan. And there’s no better way to harness established standards, agreed-upon procedures, key decisions on projects as well as evolving settings and setups than a documented plan. That plan, in the fabulous world of BIM, is called the BIM Execution Plan (BEP).

    In this article, we’ll dig into the sections of the BEP and discuss the contents of each section, without elaborating on the need and the intricate details of each section. The general idea here is to get an understanding of the important topics to discuss, without constraining the users and readers to one software platform, version or workflow. Concepts discussed here can be adopted to any project, with any software and by any type of consultant.

    So let’s get started!


    Contents

    You are welcome to read the entire article or skip to a specific section by clicking below:

    What is a BIM Execution Plan (BEP)
    Why we need a BEP
    Important considerations
    Naming conventions
    Document sections of a BEP
    1. Stakeholders
    2. BIM uses
    3. BIM modeling conventions
    4. BIM collaboration
    5. BIM management
    6. BIM coordination
    7. Training & support
    8. Backup and archiving
    9. Appendices and annexes
    Final thoughts
    Shout-outs
    Works cited
    Resources


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    What is a BIM Execution Plan (BEP)

    A BIM Execution Plan (BEP) is the equivalent of the Project Management Plan (PMP). It is the go-to document for all project-related information on Building Information Modeling (BIM) for projects, and it documents key information, decisions and their evolution in time.

    A BEP is not only a best practices document for successful BIM implementation and adoption, it is detrimental for project success, especially in complex, fast-paced, iterative and multi-faceted projects (involving many consultants and disciplines.)


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    Why we need a BEP

    As mentioned earlier, a BEP is detrimental to project success. In simple terms, here is why:

    • It addresses all BIM standards, procedures and conventions
    • It documenting project BIM decisions and their evolution in time
    • It centralizing all BIM-related information in one document, ensuring it is relevant, comprehensive and up to date

    Without such a BEP, consultants can have misunderstandings and make mistakes that can be costly for all stakeholders, from wasting time in best case scenarios to litigation in worst case scenarios.

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    Important considerations

    It is important to outline and detail the following items throughout your BEP document, in each section that applies (i.e. that has figures, charts, tables or naming conventions). The following list is loosely based on by Public Services and Procurement Canada (Source: 6. Inside Documents – Naming, Numbering and Metadata Standard – Business Projects-IT-Enabled).

    • Naming and numbering conventions
    • Document versions/revisions
    • Figure labeling and numbering
    • Table labeling and numbering
    • Annexes
    • Appendices

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    Naming conventions

    Naming conventions should provide a general formula for how to name a specific aspect in BIM. The following concrete example is for BIM models so you get an idea on the best way to communicate expectations regarding naming conventions.

    [PROJECT NUMBER]_[FIRM]_[DISCIPLINE]_[MODEL NAME]_[MODEL SUBNAME]_[YEAR]

    00-000_AAAAA_MECH_TOWER A_L1-L15_2021

    NameDescription
    00-0002 digits, separated by dash (-), and 3 digits representing the internal project number
    AAAAAA3 to 5-digit acronym representing the firm
    MECH4-digit acronym representing the discipline; use the following conventions:
    ARCH for architecture
    MECH for mechanical
    ELEC for electrical
    PLUM for plumbing
    STRU for structural
    TOWER AAny number of digits representing the model general name, which is an overall description of the model
    L1-L15Any number of digits representing the model specific name, which is a description of a specific scope of the model
    20214-digit acronym representing the BIM model year’s version
    Table credit: Tarek Ghazzaoui

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    Document sections of a BEP

    So far, we have discussed at length at a macro level what a BEP is and why it is important to have one. I hope this puts things in perspective as we dig in deeper into this topic. Let’s take the conversation to a micro level and discuss what a BIM Execution Plan looks like as a document.

    I developed and tested the following outline based on many projects on which I worked throughout my career. You can elect to adopt it as is, or some sections of it. I also share some notes and reasoning behind the purpose of each section.

    In this section, you should outline the objective of the BEP. In general, you should mention that:

    • It is an operational document that serves as a guideline for all BIM standards, procedures, and decisions
    • It is the single source of truth for all BIM-related topics

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    1. Stakeholders

    Photo credit: Photo by Direct Media on StockSnap

    In this section, you should outline who the main stakeholders are in the project. Keep the list of stakeholders to the ones outlined in the table below, with a focus on BIM-related ones.

    • Discipline: the field in which the firm operates
    • Project role: the role and responsibilities of the firm on the project
    • Firm: the name of the firm
    • Project manager: the name of the project manager on the firm on the project
    • BIM lead: the name of the main BIM person leading the project (see important note below)
    DisciplineProject roleFirmProject managerBIM Lead
    ArchitectureInterior designCompany ABCJohn SmithJulie White
    Table credit: Tarek Ghazzaoui

    IMPORTANT NOTE
    It is important to assign a “BIM Lead” for the project to have ONE point of contact representing a firm for all BIM-related topics, internally or externally. The BIM Lead is an additional title/role that one person assumes on top of one’s current responsibilities; it can be the project manager, BIM manager (firm or office), BIM coordinator, BIM administrator, design or construction professional (i.e. architect, engineer, contractor, etc.).

    In summary, a BIM Lead’s responsibilities are:

    • Be familiar with the project and its BIM decisions, BIM setup and BIM developments within the firm
    • Act as the main contact person for BIM-related topics internally (for colleagues), including outgoing requests, issues, modifications, amendments or developments to external parties
    • Act as the main contact person for BIM-related topics externally (for owner, consultants, contractor or others), including incoming requests, issues, modifications, amendments or developments to colleagues
    • Manage, delegate or be informed of user access management to software (i.e. Bluebeam), cloud services (i.e. BIM360) or online portals (i.e. ProCore)
    • Manage, delegate or be informed of BIM project files backup and archives

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    2. BIM uses

    In this section, you should outline what the BIM uses are per project phase, as outlined in the table below:

    BIM usesSchematic
    Design
    Design
    Development
    Construction
    Documents
    Construction
    Administration
    Post-
    Occupancy
    Use 1XXXXX
    Use 2XX
    Use 3XX
    Use 4X
    Use 5X
    Table credit: Tarek Ghazzaoui

    The first column should contain the list of BIM uses (instead of Use 1, Use 2, etc.) There are many online resources regarding BIM uses, but here are 3 excellent ones that I picked for you:

    Appendix B: BIM Use Descriptions” by Penn State University
    (Source: Appendix B: BIM Use Descriptions)
    “BIM Uses Guide” by Harvard University Construction Management Council
    (Source: BIM Uses Guide)
    “Model Uses Table” by BIM Excellence Initiative
    (Source: 211in Model Uses Table V1.2.)
    Building (Preventative) Maintenance Scheduling
    Building System Analysis
    Asset Management
    Space Management and Tracking
    Disaster Planning
    Record Modeling
    Site Utilization Planning
    Construction System Design
    Digital Fabrication
    3D Control and Planning
    3D Coordination
    Design Authoring
    Engineering Analysis
    a. Energy Analysis
    b. Structural Analysis
    Sustainability Evaluation
    Code Validation
    Programming
    Site Analysis
    Design Reviews
    Phase Planning (4D Modeling)
    Cost Estimation
    Existing Conditions Modeling
    Existing Conditions
    Program & Space Validation
    Design Authoring
    Digital Mock-Up
    Design Options
    Design Communication
    Design Documents
    Design Analysis
    Engineering Analysis
    Design Coordination
    Construction Coordination
    Scheduling
    Quantity Extraction
    Logistics Planning
    Safety
    Construction Layout
    Shop Drawings & Submittals
    Field Supplements
    Turnover/Record BIM
    Facilities Management Implementation
    Modeling
    Capturing and representing
    Planning and designing
    Simulating and quantifying
    Constructing and fabricating
    Operating and maintaining
    Monitoring and controlling
    Linking and extending

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    3. BIM modeling conventions

    In this section, you should detail all BIM modeling conventions, as outlined in the following sections.


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    a) BIM models (in Revit terms: models)

    In this section, you should discuss the following:

    • Models naming convention
    • Key interrelationships between models (links or imports)
    • Scope/purpose of each model

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    b) Layers or equivalent (in Revit terms: worksets)

    In this section, you should discuss the layers worksets naming convention.

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    c) Content assets (in Revit terms: families)

    In this section, you should discuss the following:

    • Content assets naming convention (in Revit terms: family and type naming convention, clearance parameters and parent-child relationships)
    • Types of content assets (in Revit terms: system families vs loadable families vs in-place families)
    • Classification of content based on categories (in Revit terms: categories for specific families)
    • Specific instructions for specific content assets

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    d) Parameters

    In this section, you should discuss the following:

    • Parameters scope and purpose
    • Parameters naming convention (in Revit terms: project, shared, global, families)

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    e) Phases

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    In this section, you should discuss the following:

    • Phases scope and purpose
    • Phases timeline (if necessary, usually for complicated projects)
    • Phases representation (in Revit terms: phase names and descriptions, phase filters and phase graphic overrides)

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    f) Options (in Revit terms: design options)

    In this section, you should discuss the following:

    • Options naming conventions (in Revit terms: design option sets and design options)
    • Scope/purpose of each option group
    • Scope/purpose of each option

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    g) Levels and grids management

    In this section, you should discuss the following:

    • Levels names
    • Grids names
    • The master file for grids and levels (in Revit terms: copy-monitoring)
    • Levels exceptions (i.e. levels that exist in a one consultant’s model only)
    • Grids exceptions (i.e. grids that exist in a one consultant’s model only)
    • Any graphic representation details for levels and grids (i.e. specific line weight, color or style)

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    h) Coordinates

    In this section, you should discuss the following:

    • Coordinates names (in Revit terms: coordinate sites)
    • Coordinates sharing (in Revit terms: procedure for acquisition/publishing of coordinates)
    • Coordinates values in terms of altitude, longitude and latitude for the building and for the entire site (in Revit terms: the project base point and the survey point)
    • Project rotation from the real north (in Revit terms: Project North vs True North)

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    i) Links

    In this section, you should discuss the following:

    • Linking procedure for external models
    • Linking settings for external models
    • Specific exceptions for importing as opposed to linking
    • Specific instructions for file types (in Revit terms: linking Revit, CAD, PDF, DWF, point cloud files)
    • Coordinates coordination for external models

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    j) Import/export

    In this section, you should discuss the following:

    • Importing procedure for external models
    • Import settings for external models
    • Specific exceptions for linking as opposed to importing
    • Specific instructions for file types (in Revit terms: linking Revit, CAD, PDF, DWF, point cloud files)
    • Coordinates coordination for external models

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    4. BIM collaboration

    Photo credit: Photo by Burst on StockSnap

    In this section, you should discuss the following:

    • Collaboration platform and all its setup and settings (in Revit terms: BIM 360 or Autodesk Construction Cloud), including:
      • List of users, their roles and access management
      • Model sharing for milestones and deliverables
      • Update procedure and frequency for models collaboration
      • Design review process

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    5. BIM management

    In this section, you should discuss the following:

    • Current software versions and upgrade policy
    • Level of Development (LOD) for content assets (in Revit terms: for Revit families)
    • Level of Information (LOI) for content assets (in Revit terms: for Revit families), including built-in parameters vs project parameters vs assets parameters
    • Level of Accuracy (LOA) for specific model elements and exceptions
      o This should include an overall modeling accuracy
    • Project parameters (in Revit terms: project, shared, global, content)
    • Common parameters sharing process (in Revit terms: shared parameters text file)
    • Assets duplicates management (in Revit terms: element categories and families)
    • Quality control process, including:
      o Ongoing quality control on a weekly basis
      o Milestones quality control
      o Deliverables quality control

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    6. BIM coordination

    In this section, you should discuss the following:

    • Coordinate platform and all its setup and settings (i.e. BIM Coordination, Revizto, BIM Track, etc.)
    • Coordination process, including:
      • Typical levels for coordination (if applicable)
      • Ongoing coordination process (i.e. weekly)
      • Milestone coordination process (BIM progress audits)
      • Deliverables coordination process (BIM compliance audits)

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    7. Training & support

    In this section, you should discuss the following:

    • Training schedule, including title, location, date, time and scope
    • Support process for individual consultants
    • Support process for all stakeholders

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    8. Backup and archiving

    Photo credit: Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay

    In this section, you should discuss the following:

    • Backup policy, frequency, assignees and location for:
      • Regular backups
      • Milestone backups
      • Deliverables backups
    • Archiving policy, frequency, assignees and location for completed project or project phases

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    9. Appendices and annexes

    In this section, you should list all the appendices and annexes that are part of the BEP. There is a difference between the two, so here is a short overview.

    An appendix “tends to be more closely connected than an annex to the main body of the paper. An appendix would not be as informative or valuable outside the context of your paper.[1]” However, “an annex can stand alone.”

    An appendix is a kind of annex. In other words, every appendix is an annex, but not every annex is an appendix.

    Source: Enago Academy

    So in simple terms, an appendix provides additional information that is a continuation of the body of text, but too long to include in the main document, while the annex is a separate document that pertains to the points or topics of discuss in the main document.


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    Final thoughts

    Well, there it is! I hope this article provided a good overview of BIM Execution Plans in all their intricate details. Unfortunately, there are so many schools of thought regarding what constitutes the best template, the best content, and the best presentation; this is due to many factors, including the personal experience, the role on projects, the jurisdiction, and the project phase, among others.

    Throughout my years of experience and during my research while writing this article, it became evident that there is no “ideal” template for a BIM Execution plan. You must familiarize yourself with existing templates, so you don’t end up reinventing the wheel or learning a lesson the hard way. The bottom line is this: your BIM Execution plan must cover all BIM strategic and operational considerations on your project.

    Thank you for taking the time to read my blog article and I’ll see you again soon.

    Tarek Ghazzaoui, Eng.
    BIM Manager


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    Shout-outs

    Special thanks to the following individuals and entities for their contribution to this article:

    NameRole
    Stella (my dog)Random check-ins and cuddles
    Juju (my cat)Random check-ins and cuddles

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    Works cited

    Government of Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada. “6. Inside Documents – Naming, Numbering and Metadata Standard – Business Projects-IT-Enabled ” Full ” Version – Introduction – IT-Enabled Projects – NPMS – Real Property – PWGSC/PSPC.” 6. Inside Documents – Naming, Numbering and Metadata Standard – Business Projects-IT-Enabled ” Full ” Version – Introduction – IT-Enabled Projects – NPMS – Real Property – PWGSC/PSPC. 06 Nov. 2019. Web.

    Messner, John, Chimay Anumba, Craig Dubler, Sean Goodman, Colleen Kasprzak, Ralph Kreider, Robert Leicht, Chitwan Saluja, and Nevena Zikic. “Appendix B: BIM Use Descriptions.” BIM Project Execution Planning Guide Version 22. Computer Integrated Construction Research Program, Penn State, 01 July 2019. Web. 31 May 2021.

    “BIM Uses Guide.” Harvard University Construction Management Council. Web. 31 May 2021.

    “211in Model Uses Table V1.2.” BIMe Initiative. Web. 31 May 2021.

    “Annex vs. Appendix: Do You Know the Difference?” Enago Academy. 14 June 2019. Web. 31 May 2021.


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    Resources

    https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/class/BIM-Execution-Plans-Are-Actually-Executable-2017

    https://www.gsa.gov/real-estate/design-construction/3d4d-building-information-modeling/guidelines-for-bim-software/document-guides/bim-execution-plan

    https://www.usf.edu/administrative-services/facilities/documents/design-construction/guide-bim-plan.docx

    https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/tr/tr-dpdbimeptemplate.docx

    https://plandesignbuild.ucsd.edu/_files/bim/UCSanDiegoBEPTemplate%20v1.1-CompleteSample.pdf

    https://vdcscorecard.stanford.edu/sites/g/files/sbiybj8856/f/bim_project_execution_planning_guide-v2.0.pdf

    https://www.em.admin.cam.ac.uk/files/3_uoc_bimexecutionplan_v1.1.1.pdf

    https://www.architects.uga.edu/sites/default/files/documents/00_00_10.01-bim_execution_plan_bep.docx

    http://www.cpic.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/cpix_pre-contract_bim_execution_plan_bep_v2.0.pdf

    https://bimforum.org/resources/Documents/BIMForum_BXP_2020-11_pub-draft.pdf

    https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/article/BIM-Execution-Planning-How-800-Million-Project-Got-It-Done-2017

    https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/class/BIM-Execution-Plans-Are-Actually-Executable-2017

    https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/class/Real-Revit-set-and-its-partnership-BIM-Execution-Plan-2014


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    About the Author

    Tarek Ghazzaoui, Eng.
    • LinkedIn

    Tarek is a building engineer with 11+ years experience in Design Technology. He is passionate about helping AEC firms manage change and leverage the use of technology and computational design to improve organizational cultures, tackle complex workflows and overcome challenging designs. Tarek worked with and managed interdisciplinary BIM teams up to 70+ members on major construction projects in Canada, ranging from $200M to $2.2B, including airports, hospitals, sports complexes, factories as well as residential, commercial and mixed-use projects. He is a professional member of OIQ, ASHRAE and PMI, and speaks several languages (fluent in English, French and Arabic, intermediate in Russian and beginner in Mandarin Chinese).

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