Everything You Need to Know About the BIM Execution Plan
The BIM Execution Plan defines roles, exchanges and standards to optimize the management and quality of BIM data.
For a data modeling strategy to be effective, it needs a solid foundation. A common reference that defines the methods of collaboration between stakeholders and ensures the conformity of deliverables. That is precisely the role of the BIM Execution Plan. What should it contain? Who drafts it? Kroqi explains everything on the subject.
What is a BIM Execution Plan?
Definition and objectives of the BIM Execution Plan (BEP)
The BIM management plan, or BIM Project Management Plan (PMP), is an essential document for any BIM project. It defines the mutual expectations of the various stakeholders involved, their role, and how it evolves through each stage of the project. Concretely, it explains who has to do what and by when.
What is it used for in a construction or infrastructure project?
The BIM Execution Plan plays an essential role in construction. It guarantees that all project participants are aligned around precise objectives and a shared methodology. The benefit? Optimizing collaboration, improving the quality and detail of the 3D model and ensuring that information is accessible and up to date for all stakeholders concerned.
Difference between the initial (pre-contract) BIM plan and the project BIM plan
The initial BIM plan, also called the BIM protocol, is a document used in tenders. It serves as a base for providers to demonstrate their ability to meet the client’s needs. It also includes elements on the design stages.
The project BIM plan, on the other hand, intervenes after award and has contractual value. It takes up the information from the initial BIM plan, but adds many important details for managing the building throughout the construction project.
Why is it essential in a BIM approach?
Coordinate stakeholders around a common reference
This is the main mission of the BIM Execution Plan: make the synchronization of project participants easier by offering a common reference. In practice, this means setting standards for modeling and exchanges that are shared by everyone.
Define the methods of collaboration and data exchange
Collaboration is at the heart of the BIM approach. To ensure effective data exchange throughout the project, the BIM Execution Plan specifies the authorized file formats and the processes for updating and validating changes. It also defines access.
Ensure the quality and conformity of BIM deliverables
The project owner must define the conformity criteria for deliverables at each phase of the project. They write this information into the BIM Execution Plan, so that the project manager can integrate the relevant technical information.
What does a BIM Execution Plan contain?
The BIM Execution Plan presents every aspect of a project related to building data modeling. It first includes the BIM objectives of the project (expected level of detail, planned uses, future operations), as well as the role and responsibilities of each stakeholder (BIM client advisor, BIM manager, modeler, coordinator).
It also defines the technical elements needed for effective synchronization throughout the BIM process. Exchange formats (IFC, DWG, RVT), BIM coordination platforms (BIM 360, Trimble Connect, BIMcollab), modeling software to use (Revit, Archicad), standards to comply with (ISO 19650). The document must be exhaustive on this topic.
Finally, it details everything related to the lifecycle of the models, from creation to delivery. It also offers a reliable verification procedure to ensure the quality of deliverables.
Who drafts the BIM Execution Plan and when?
The drafting of the BIM Execution Plan is generally handled by the BIM client advisor. Their task consists of translating the project owner’s BIM expectations into applicable technical requirements.
The BIM Manager can also be involved in the creation process. They bring their experience of BIM projects, and above all, the constraints of their team. For example, they can suggest technical tools that their teams master better.
However, the final choice belongs to the project owner and their BIM client advisor.
Drafting stages: from the design phase to execution
- Delimitation of the BIM project and its applications, identification of the objectives to be reached.
- Definition of the roles of team members, their responsibilities, skill levels and access.
- Modeling rules and standards for developing the digital model and its evolution.
- Definition of the rules of exchange within the project and the methods of data sharing.
Examples and templates of BIM Execution Plans
Typical structure of a BIM Execution Plan under ISO 19650
A BIM Execution Plan must be structured according to a clear, precise methodology to make it easier to understand. Here is the structure we recommend:
- Project information: general details such as the project reference, the name, the address/location of the client and a brief description.
- BIM management: the objective, the applications and the update of the plan throughout the project.
- Collaboration process: management of collaborative information, meeting planning, mention of collaboration resources (RDE: Company Data Reference).
- Modeling requirements: modeling standards, quality control of the 3D model.
- Sharing and development of the model: project object library, sharing protocol.
- Reference documents: documents associated with BIM management.
It is possible to find downloadable BIM Execution Plan templates directly online.
Concrete cases of BIM Execution Plans in real projects
BIM Execution Plans include different elements, depending on the constraints of each project.
Take the example of BIM for historical renovation. In this context, the challenge consists of taking into account the elements of the building to be preserved and those to be rebuilt. The emphasis must therefore be on precision with a high level of development (LOD).
With a more classic BIM project, such as the construction of a hospital, the BIM Execution Plan must include daily conflict checks to ensure coordination with the very large number of trades involved.
Best practices for an effective BIM Execution Plan
Involve the right stakeholders from the start
Drafting a BIM Execution Plan requires the involvement of several stakeholders. It must bring together the BIM client advisor, BIM Manager, architects and engineering offices from the initial phase to anticipate the constraints encountered by each party involved.
Update the plan as the project evolves
A BIM Execution Plan is not a fixed structure: it must evolve throughout the project according to the new constraints encountered. For example, if a phase of the process was not completed within the expected timeframe, this element must be updated in the following stages. Unplanned changes to model data must also be integrated.
Use clear, structured language
This may seem obvious, but the plan must be well structured and written in a language that is clear to all stakeholders. It is preferable to use the most precise vocabulary possible to avoid the risk of misunderstanding. A plan that is too vague, for example, will not allow the various stakeholders to precisely delimit their responsibilities.
BIM Execution Plan FAQ
Is the BIM Execution Plan mandatory on all projects?
The BIM Execution Plan is an integral part of the building data management process. You can certainly produce another type of less detailed document, but this will necessarily hurt the dynamics of your project.
What is the difference between the BIM Execution Plan and the BIM protocol?
The main difference between the BIM Execution Plan and the BIM protocol is chronological. The BIM protocol is used in tenders alongside the brief, while the BIM Execution Plan takes effect after contracting. It also includes far more detail than the protocol.
Who validates the BIM Execution Plan in a collaborative project?
The BIM Execution Plan is validated by the BIM client advisor and the project owner. However, it must take into account the comments of the manager and the coordinator.
Do you need specific software to write a BIM Execution Plan?
Not necessarily. In most cases, a word processor (Microsoft Word, Google Docs or LibreOffice Writer) is enough. However, to make exchanges on the document smoother, project management tools like Notion can be useful. BIM software such as Autodesk BIM 360 Docs, Trimble Connect or BIMcollab natively integrate a document management solution.
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