Collaborate-ANZ: Working to Assist in the Adoption & Understanding of BIM
BIM has the potential to create a digital world with a common language between designers and manufacturers, scientists and engineers. A world with the power to federate a single model, a single hymn sheet, on which each specialism can input their expertise; to create an output that is not only the best that it can be, but it can reach this point far more efficiently than the traditional design process.
The underlying concept of BIM has been around for many years. Aspects of the technology have been applied in multiple parts to different industries; from architecture to manufacturing and aerospace. In its simplest form, the technology behind BIM can allow us to create 3D models from which we can then fabricate. However, applying the ‘I’ to BIM is where the intricacies have come in to play and are inhibiting faster progress in implementing its full potential; what’s needed to ensure the success of BIM is the definition of policy and process of its application to enable all facets of the AECO industry to work and talk together. Getting all to sing from this same hymn sheet, around what BIM means and how it is of benefit to client, project, and team, is where Collaborate can help.
Collaborate-ANZ are a dedicated not-for-profit team, consisting of practicing industry professionals, improving the functional use of BIM (Building Information Modelling) and Digital delivery across the AECO industry in both Australia and New Zealand. Using our extensive network of subject matter experts and other supportive professionals we identify, review, endorse and implement BIM best practices.
New Zealand has three members on the Collaborate Leadership Committee; Daniel Jurgens (OPUS), Glenn Jowett (AECOM) and myself, Melanie Tristram (Jasmax), who holds the New Zealand vice chairperson position.
Collaborate’s involvement with BIM industry groups is to help support BIM activities and objectives for the industries across Australia and New Zealand. Our leadership committee and other experts hold supportive roles within the wider BIM in NZ group and do so to strengthen a network of excellence and tackle the fragmentation of BIM and its broad industry scope.
In establishing relationships with industry groups such as the BIM Acceleration Committee and including the local BIM user groups (also known as Collaborate Affiliates), allows us to drive initiatives together and expand the network of volunteers available to analyse and check policy and guidance notes, along with providing a channel for the dissemination of local issues upwards to appropriate organisations. This creates specific and focussed areas of BIM and Digital delivery to be analysed, therefore producing a comprehensive understanding for that industry, discipline or market.
In an effort to utilise the membership base efficiently, projects / tasks are divided by the groups to compliment the work being delivered. What Collaborate is looking for is diversity in subject matter to challenge the status quo and deliver something that helps industry progress. In doing this we work with our expanding network and are pleased to be involved with BIM in NZ during this process.
Projects that have been undertaken by the Collaborate-ANZ group include reviewing of the NATSPEC BIM Guide, produced a statement around Level of Development in the Australian and New Zealand context, and most recently produced a paper around BIM Legal and Procurement. Collaborate have three working groups underway;
Data Essentials – research and development into the elemental data requirements of models, this is based on the Natspec BIM object/Element matrix manual.
Work-flows – research and development into the required work-flows, including inputs and outputs between project stakeholders through project stages.
Project procurement and scoping – research and development of how to scope a BIM project. For further information on any of these working groups or to register your interest, please visit the collaborate website.
