August 12, 2010

London & District Construction Association to publish BIM guides

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

The London & District Construction Association (LDCA) is poised to publish a series of simplified Building Information Modeling (BIM) guides.

Engaging the Construction Business Intelligence Group, a strategic alliance partner of the U.S. business analytics firm of JCB Partners, the LDCA has commissioned four easy-to-read booklets outlining simple steps for making the transition to BIM.

“We are starting to build enough case studies from general contractors and subcontractors locally here in London to have intelligence on how to implement BIM into everyday practice, so much so that we can write the book using that information to help others get involved,” said LDCA executive director Derek Smith.

Slated to be published late this fall, the booklets cover the consulting, general contracting, subcontracting and owner spheres.

The guides will resemble in size and shape handbooks issued for drivers’ education.

“We feel that a compact booklet, almost pocket-sized, will assist in breaking down the complexity of BIM,” Smith said.

“Construction professionals do not have time to read 500-page books on business analytics surrounding BIM.”

The next step will to be to make the booklets available in an electronic format.

Smith, whose association is the first of its kind in Canada to set up its own BIM training centre, said it is “notable” that the University of Western Ontario issued its first BIM-based request for proposals for construction services last month.

“It is the owners and the contractors that are on board already that will benefit the most,” said Smith, noting that the LDCA board is “surprised” by the lack of BIM uptake from the local consulting industry.

“It seems the contractors have found efficiencies using BIM and will be the driving force in this region during the transition.”

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