10 Strategies for Enhancing Productive BIM Coordination Sessions
A Comprehensive Roadmap for Elevating BIM Coordination Sessions with 10 Strategic Approaches
Effective BIM coordination is not solely about amalgamating models; it encompasses the synergy between the General Contractor (GC), trade units, and design teams during weekly coordination meetings. If not managed adeptly, this entire process can languish endlessly, leading to disillusioned stakeholders.
In an endeavor to shed light on this subject, we engaged with a cadre of highly seasoned BIM coordinators within ENG to extract insights into what constitutes successful BIM coordination meetings. These experts are consistently lauded for their prowess in spearheading BIM coordination processes. From our interactions, we have distilled a collection of profoundly valuable practical suggestions:
1. Lay Out a Roadmap and Focused Agenda
Construct a roadmap delineating the path forward, coupled with an agenda that underscores the "issues" to be tackled in each session. Acknowledge that addressing every concern in a single meeting might be impractical. Prioritize realism and orchestrate a sequence of steps. Sometimes, it's more judicious to determine whose jurisdiction it falls under to resolve a given issue, rather than attempting on-the-spot resolutions.
2. Curate Attendees Deliberately
Not every individual receives an invitation to the gathering. Opting for a restricted number of participants can foster active involvement and, consequently, a more fruitful discussion.
3. Set a Time Boundary
Some of our sources are stringent about capping meetings at one hour, while others espouse a slightly more relaxed stance, allotting 1.5 to a maximum of 2 hours. Ensure there's ample time for discussing topics like BIM For Facility Management.
4. Periodically Review the Coordination Calendar
Regularly revisit intermediate milestones and apprise attendees of the upcoming week or two's schedule. The cadence of weekly operations is just as crucial as the broader panorama.
5. Address Priority Issues While Embracing Diversity
While prioritizing urgent matters is crucial, exclusive focus on them risks recurring discussions, leaving other pertinent concerns unresolved.
6. Delegate Accountabilities Within Meetings
Allocate responsibilities to specific individuals, thereby circumventing the "shared responsibility leads to no responsibility" pitfall that could inundate proceedings.
7. Empower Participants to Set Deadlines
Our experts unanimously concur that soliciting participants to establish their deadlines when assigning live subjects regarding BIM Implementation proves more efficacious than dictating timelines. Holding someone accountable for a self-imposed deadline is comparatively straightforward.
8. Embrace a Culture of Iterative Improvement
Closely scrutinize the mechanics of your meetings, acknowledging both successes and shortcomings. Tailor your approach iteratively until you unearth a methodology that resonates effectively.
9. Privately Tackle Individual Issues
Address individuals experiencing lag or waning enthusiasm through one-on-one dialogues rather than resorting to public admonishment.
10. Foster a Culture of Open Feedback
Cultivate an environment where attendees feel encouraged to express their thoughts and observations openly. Constructive criticism and feedback can be invaluable in refining the coordination process. By inviting diverse perspectives and facilitating open discussions, you create a space for continuous improvement and innovation within your BIM coordination meetings. Remember, genuine progress often stems from the insights shared during collaborative exchanges.
Undoubtedly, absolute adherence to these strategies might not always be feasible across every project scenario. However, by incorporating these methods, you can substantially mitigate the potential for frustration when striving to conduct efficacious BIM coordination sessions.