Digital Delivery and the Future of Building Information Modeling

September 24, 2024 | 5 min read

Technology continues to transform the world of construction. From robotics to survey drones to 3D printing, markets for leading construction technologies are quickly expanding to meet demand.

Shorter timelines, limited funding, and demanding stakeholders are only part of the modern construction story. Construction projects are also growing more complicated, in ways that can create serious problems:

Rework: Rework happens when errors or design changes require sections of a construction project to be redone, leading to delays and increased costs. This not only wastes time and resources; it also disrupts the entire project timeline.
Weak Design Coordination: System clashes occur when different building systems, such as structure and plumbing, interfere with each other due to poor coordination during the design stage. These clashes can result in costly modifications and scheduling conflicts that slow down the construction process.
Disorganized Information: Large drawing sets combined with lengthy specifications and submittals can make information management difficult. This delays decision making and increases risk of incorrect installations.

Advancements in technology slowly change the way that project stakeholders decide timelines, budgets, and resource requirements. They also change the way stakeholders talk about their projects, introducing terms like “digital delivery” to describe the full digital scope of a capital project. In this article, we’ll explore what this term means, and how it impacts the future of BIM.

What is Digital Delivery in Construction?

In construction, digital delivery refers to the entire lifecycle of a project and the technology that helps complete it. Modern digital delivery particularly relies on platforms that capture and present data in ways that allow contractors, architects, and engineers to build more efficiently.

Here are a few specific types of technology that support digital delivery in construction:

BIM software: 3D modeling tools that represent the physical and functional characteristics of buildings throughout their lifecycle.
Digital twin solutions: A virtual model of a physical structure, continually updated with real-time data. It helps AEC stakeholders predict how the structure might respond during all phases of the capital project.
2D construction drawings: Flat drawings that recreate simple physical structures. While not sufficient for complete projects, 2D drawings are a cost-effective way to visualize floor plans, sections, elevations, and other basic project details.
Augmented and virtual reality: Immersive visualization technology that creates safe, interactive environments with the help of an AR- or VR-compatible headset. This allows contractors, architects, and engineers to navigate a capital project, even before construction begins, in ways that improve efficiency and reduce design revisions.

The concept of digitally-delivered services isn’t new to business. Before its application in construction, digital delivery meant any project that relied on technology — software, hardware, or data models — for completion. Today, it’s a term in construction circles that includes the total scope of a capital project, from initial design through to the finishing touches.

Exploring the Role of BIM Software for Digital Delivery

For many capital projects, the term “building information modeling” once meant nearly the same thing as “digital delivery”. Particularly where funding, resources, or manpower are limited, BIM technology can serve as a copilot for any AEC contributor. It improves project visualization and planning, informs accurate cost estimates, supports sustainability standards, and streamlines communication across an entire capital project.

Building information modeling offers specific applications for every major capital project type. Electrical BIM, for example, represents a building’s electrical systems. Architectural BIM unifies data for architects into a centralized platform for easy access.

As data centers, healthcare facilities, and other high-complexity capital projects grow more common, the need for BIM software will only grow more important.

BIM’s Influence in Different Stages of Project Delivery

At the heart of BIM’s influence on digital delivery is its ability to create a shared digital model that evolves as the project progresses.

Here’s a breakdown of what this looks like:

Before breaking ground, stakeholders can access precise 3D visualizations to better understand the project’s scope — and potential challenges.
During design, BIM software allows all project architects, engineers, and contractors to access the same data for the latest updates.
Throughout the pre-construction process, BIM optimizes both cost estimation and workforce scheduling for more efficient resource allocation.
Once construction begins, BIM software creates better coordination while eliminating potential system clashes in ways that minimize potential rework.
Post-construction, BIM models can serve as digital twins, a valuable resource for ongoing management and future maintenance and renovations.

In short, BIM software enables real-time collaboration among architects, engineers, contractors, and owners by providing a single source of truth. This ensures that everyone is working from the same data set, reducing miscommunication and improving efficiency.

Enhance Digital Delivery with a Leading BIM Partner

Building information modeling significantly enhances collaboration and accuracy across all stages of a capital construction project, from design to long-term maintenance. Connect with VIATechnik today to learn how you can streamline the digital delivery process with the right BIM consultant or platform.