Traditional vs BIM Coordination: Choosing The Best Method

Construction coordination has always been one of the most important and difficult tasks in project delivery. With the increasing complexity of buildings and the ever-shortening project schedules, construction coordination has a direct effect on project costs and efficiency. At Geninfo Solutions , we assist project teams in shifting from traditional coordination processes to fully integrated digital processes. It is important to understand the difference between traditional coordination processes and BIM Coordination Services. Both processes have their own applications, but only one of them is capable of handling the challenges of modern construction. What Traditional Coordination Looks Like, In A Free-Flowing Style Traditional coordination hangs its hat on 2D drawings, manual overlays, and documents that stay within each specialty. Architects and structural engineers often charge ahead independently of the MEP teams, sending over updates in the form of emails, meetings, or marked-up pages. Issues tend to arise only later, well into construction, when the systems conflict or space isn’t available. Fixing these on-site can cause delays and rework, sometimes with surprise costs. While the latter has worked for decades, in today’s fast-paced, multidisciplinary world, precision and predictability truly count. Limitations Of Traditional Coordination Traditional workflows stumble most in real-time integration. When one team makes a change, it doesn’t instantly show up for the others, raising the chances of inconsistencies slipping in. Then, there is reliance upon coordination drawings that are usually manually compiled from pieces contributed by several different teams. These tend to go stale quickly, especially during designs that have a lot of changes. As projects grow more complex, the shift is away from proactive coordination to simple reactive coordination, catching problems only after they surface. Introducing BIM-Based Coord BIM-based coordination revolutionizes the process of collaboration by integrating all disciplines into a virtual space. Rather than relying on 2D drawings, all members participate through coordinated 3D models that mimic the true position of the projects. With BIM Coordination Services, designers and constructors may identify conflicts, validate spatial requirements, and work out conflicts prior to the commencement of site work, which in turn reduces risks and increases the standard of the final project. At Geninfo Solutions, BIM coordination is considered a strategic process, not just a technical task. How BIM Coordination Can Improve Teamwork In BIM projects, a team works on a specific project, where each team member is a contributor to a single federated model. The architectural design, structural design, systems design, etc., are always in sync. Here, there is no scattered communication or confusion whatsoever. If the design is to be altered, changes will always be visible in all places, making the team able to understand the effects of the changes. BIM Coordination Services facilitate teams to efficiently collaborate, accelerate approvals, and avoid misunderstandings and miscommunications. BIM coordination makes everyone more accountable, feeling a sense of ownership compared to the conventional approach. Traditional vs. BIM: A Look At The Outcomes The results achieved, if BIM-enabled coordination is compared to traditional coordination, will reveal differences. Traditional coordination typically leads to: Clash detection occurring later in the process More RFIs and on-site questions Rework due to a mismatch  Disruptions to the project schedule BIM-based coordinated, facilitated by BIM Coordination Services, offers some significant advantages: Early Detection of Clashes Clear systems of routing  Appropriate spatial planning Fewer Construction Conflicts More dependable scheduling  These changes have a direct impact on cost control, quality, and satisfaction for all stakeholders. The Role Of Coordination Drawings In Both Methods Coordination drawings may stay on the radar when we think about shifting to digital workflows; however, their job morphs along the way. In classic builds, these tend to be static artifacts slapped together after several rounds of edits. However, for BIM-driven projects, the drawings are coming straight from coordinated models, keeping them precise and aligned. As the models are continuously updated, the drawings remain reliable references throughout the entire project, from start to finish, with increased clarity and no additional manual labor required. Why BIM Really Helps for MEP Coordination MEP systems are at the heart of a building’s complexity, and this encompasses small space, many paths between service elements, and exacting performance criteria.” By using BIM technology, MEP coordination services can be achieved, thus allowing designers to properly layout ducts, piping, cable trays, and so on, within the actual 3D space, spotting possible clashes and assuring fit between components and required clearances. Interferences between ducts, piping, cables, and structures can be resolved upfront, thereby avoiding costly field changes that could have been avoided if conventional methods were employed, where such interferences are often overlooked. Bringing BIM Project Management Into The Fold Of Coordination. Good coordination isn’t just about models; it’s about clarity and organized oversight. BIM project management is at the core, taking coordination efforts and tethering them to the project’s goals, timelines, and who’s responsible for what. We integrate coordination workflows at Geninfo Solutions  into broader BIM project management practices. That is to say, milestones, review cycles, and approval for coordination are defined and tracked in no way left to chance. Mixed-mode allows projects to have more predictability and tighter control by mixing coordination with disciplined management. Scalability And Long-Term Value Of BIM Coordination Scalability is an area where BIM-based processes really stand out. While the projects themselves are becoming bigger or more complicated, the coordination effort can similarly scale up, without any loss of efficiency. This is where BIM Coordination Services can support phased constructions, building projects with several buildings, or fast-track projects. Such a balance is difficult to achieve through conventional processes for coordination. The advantages of BIM-based processes don’t stop at the construction phase itself. Well-coordinated models can greatly benefit the facilities, maintenance, or upgrade phases. Reducing Risks And Raising Quality Quality cannot be separated from the level of precision in coordinating the systems. Accordingly, if everything seems to fit the right pieces as they should and issues are ironed out from the onset, the quality automatically improves significantly. Combining MEP coordination services and model-based reviews enables teams to reduce installation