AEC | Applied Software

BIM Requirements

Needs Analysis

The initial step for the development of any BIM Requirements is to conduct a needs analysis to determine realistic, attainable and measurable short term goals and to identify possible long term goals. Current conditions, proficiencies and infrastructure needs to be analyzed to determine any possible changes that will further advance the realization of the identified goals.

BIM Requirements Specifications

Well documented BIM Requirements reduce confusion and enable consistency among the design and construction consultants on a BIM project. BIM Requirements will include, among other things, clearly defined modeling standards, coordination meeting schedules, level of development requirements, critical milestone deliverables, and required BIM data to be included with the deliverables.

BIM Execution Plan Templates

To assist design and construction consultants in meeting the deliverables requirements and to promote consistent documents and well coordinated projects with fewer change orders and RFIs, Applied Software will develop a BIM Execution Plan Template.

BIM Ecosystem Support and Training

To further promote “best practices” and to ensure that design and construction consultant staffs have the skillsets and proficiencies necessary to meet the BIM Requirements specifications and standards, Applied Software can provide ongoing training and support, including “just in time” learning and project mentoring.

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Workflow Analysis

Existing standards assessment

The client will outline for ASTI typical project workflows, requirements and the firm’s standards for contract document production. Together, the client and ASTI will develop a BIM Implementation approach with defined goals. The Assessment phase will identify what training and consulting is needed to ensure the client is successful on their first pilot project and every project following.

ASTI will spend time via remote online desktop sharing, or in your office, meeting with office, project and IT/Design Technology, and leadership to conduct the discovery. ASTI will then assess the information collected and report back to the client what service recommendations are needed.

Workflow assessment

Operating in a BIM environment takes a different approach than the pre-BIM delivery approaches. BIM requires closer collaboration between team members. How a firm’s internal and extended team works together is a key factor in a project’s success and the team meeting its obligations to its client and being financially successful. Many firms operate with hybrid workflows that are based on pre-BIM processes. These may not be optimum workflows. Whether you are just starting to use BIM, are currently working in it but having coordination and project performance shortcoming, or are a BIM capable firm, Applied Software’s Workflow Assessment Services can help you become more successful. Our professionals come from architectural, engineering, and construction practices that have practical knowledge of how to successfully deliver BIM projects and build BIM empowered organizations. We know the challenges a firm faces and know how to overcome them.

The ASTI Workflow Assessment Service assists an organization identify opportunities for improving their current workflows (i.e. BIM / parametric modeling, survey to modeling, team collaboration). Recommendations to streamline workflows will be identified along with suggested best practices. The diagram included in the description below illustrates our standard process in conducting the ASTI Workflow Assessment Service.

Knowledge assessment

Applied Software understands that everyone has a different level of competency and expertise with the tools they use as a professional. In order to align training with an organizations staff needs a Knowledge assessment is needed to recognize what training is needed for each member of the staff. Training can then be tailored to provide just the training that his needed for your organization. Applied Software is able to capture current skill levels in a variety of ways to work within a budget. The results of this assessment will also serve as a benchmark that can be used to measure learning retention in the future.

Needs assessment

The Applied Software Needs Assessment Services approach will engage members of the firm’s leadership team and practitioners to review and evaluate the firm’s BIM Requirements, BIM Execution Plan template, BIM standards, and other relevant company standards that the firm uses to define the way it produces its work. Recommendations for improving the firm’s BIM Requirements, execution plans, and standards will be identified and offered.

Gap analysis

Once a discovery, workflow assessment, knowledge assessment and needs assessment are complete, Applied Software will analyze the information to identify gaps in current practice and workflows. Often the practioner is too close to their own work to identify even minor changes in habit that can have significant impact on efficiency and profitability. The Gap analysis prepares the organization for recommendations on how to implement meaningful change and improve outcomes.

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Training

Infrastructure Courses

*I’m not sure which specific Infrastructure courses need to be included*

Fundamentals Through Advanced

Applied Software offers multiple levels of learning for many software solutions you use. Training can be tailored to your specific situation and needs. We encourage customizing your training by incorporating an upcoming project into the training.

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Standards Development

Templates

You start a new AutoCAD Civil 3D drawing using a template file. An AutoCAD Civil 3D drawing template can contain standard AutoCAD information, such as AutoCAD settings and layers, and AutoCAD objects, such as lines and text. In addition, it can include any AutoCAD Civil 3D drawing information that is listed in either the Settings tree (including AutoCAD Civil 3D settings, styles, label styles, tables, description keys, and point import/export formats) or the Prospector tree (including any AutoCAD Civil 3D object, such as point groups). Applied Software is able to create or help you create your company templates.

Styles

Object styles control the appearance of AutoCAD Civil 3D objects in the drawing. The object styles in AutoCAD Civil 3D have general attributes, such as object color, visibility of components, linetypes, and fill patterns.

You can use styles to efficiently manage object appearance. If you change a style definition, the changes are applied automatically to all objects using that style.

Applied Software is experienced professionals who will help you develop your styles for the work you do.

Content

Often content must be developed to meet a projects or customer’s individual needs. Many organizations do not have staff committed to developing content or do not have the expertise to develop content themselves.

Customization

In addition to templates, styles and content, an organization may have need of customizing their User Interface or create custom tools to address unique workflows and processes. Applied Software’s team of developers have industry experience creating the customizations you need to further refine your work environment.

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Data Management

Centrally manage project data. Secure files.

Control all files and data related to large land development and infrastructure projects. Eliminate copies of data and not knowing what the current information is. Track who access and updates information.

Distribute standard content.

In order to control what content is used by large teams made up of multiple companies it is necessary to manage the access and distribution of content. With the right project data management solution in place, everyone working on a project will be guided to a central point of access for all standard and project specific content. Leverage content project and system wide to ensure consistency, accuracy and efficiency.

Connect distributed teams.

With the growth in infrastructure projects numbers and size, many projects are made up of multiple engineers collaborating together. With the right data management solution distributed teams, multi-discipline teams and joint venture teams need to provide ready and reliable access to the same files. Using a project data management solution allows for teams of any size and complexity to coordinate, share and collaborate more effectively.

Track versions and revision history.

Due to project size and the increasing volume of documentation it is critical that infrastructure and land development teams know what data is the most current and the single source of truth. Implementing a project data management solution will provide version history on all files and content ensuring the most current and accurate information is accessed. Likewise, the engineer will be able to compare versions to ensure changes have been made as intended. And all files have a revision history record to reference for managers and to resolve questions regarding changes.

Autodesk application integration.

Key to projects today is the ability to leverage the strengths of multiple solutions and share information between them. Applied Software has extensive experience integrating data flow between systems to ensure information is not duplicated and there is a single source of truth for all data, no matter the source.

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Collaboration Management

BIM Team Kickoff Meeting

The start to any project requires planning and team organization. For projects leveraging BIM it is necessary for the entire design team, along with contractor and owner, to establish goals and guidelines for the use of BIM on the project. Applied Software subject matter experts will meet with you and lead a meeting to begin the project with a plan for BIM use. No two projects are exactly alike and every project can benefit from the lessons learned on previous work. Having Applied Software as your BIM consultant brings broad experience to bear on your project.

BIM Requirements Compliance

Good modeling “best practices” are critical for a successful Revit project. Model errors can cause inaccuracies, bloated files, corruption and an overall loss of productivity. Not all errors are immediately apparent from a simple visual examination of the model. Many underlying problems can be lurking deep in the model database, causing problems with performance and stability. As they build in number, they can lead to a model that is unusable. Equally important, a Revit project template with problems will lead to a project with even larger issues.

Applied Software’s BIM Specialists are well-versed in modeling “best practices” and the methods used to effectively analyze an existing model to weed out the hidden errors that could be causing problems either now or in the future. We can also evaluate your template and identify problems that could be affecting your projects from the very beginning.

After evaluating your model or template, we will prepare a report identifying all the issues that were discovered that could be causing problems in your project, with recommendations to resolve them and prevent them from recurring in the future.

File and data management

Today’s projects require a high volume of data. Data that is unorganized, recreated multiple times by different people, lost or accidentally overwritten can negatively impact a project and a company’s profit margin. With proper communication and organization, Applied Software can help AEC customers quantify their need for Collaboration and Data Management. Research has shown that the collaboration and data management needs for Architectural, Engineering and Construction firms are very diverse. Implementing an

AEC Collaboration and Data Management program into any company is a positive change in workflow that will benefit everyone involved.

A conversation with our customer and understanding their specific needs is the first step to a successful Collaboration and Data Management implementation plan. Our first goal at ASTI is to make sure we understand the specific need of our customer. Using tools developed by ASTI and Autodesk, we show customers how implementing an AEC Collaboration and Data Management solution will save time, money, and help companies become more successful.

After completion of the Assessment phase, ASTI will outline an implementation plan with recommendation to advance personnel capabilities and recommendations to improve current infrastructure. Implementation will included new software and a change on how data is created, saved, and shared with team members.

Model management

Not all projects and organizations are of a size that justify employing a full time BIM Manager. However, every BIM project requires management of BIM used and verify the team is following the plan as set forth in the BIM Project Execution Plan (PxP). Applied Software will provide the needed BIM expertise to help review models and provide feedback and direction to the team on how to employ best practices for achieving project goals.

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SMART Implementation

Revit for Architecture SMART Implementation

SMART Implementation is a bundle of basic services that focus on jump starting a company that is new to Revit Architecture. The services include fundamentals level training, initial company template creation, initial standards adoption and project consulting.

This is the first step in a Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Revit Architecture implementation.

These services are intended to be used in conjunction with a pilot project and team, providing a real business incentive for success. At the conclusion of these services you will have a template to use on all future projects, a team of professionals with Revit Architecture training and experience they can build on and use on future projects. It also provides time with our experts to consult on a pilot project, coaching and mentoring the team to ensure a successful use of Revit Architecture on the first project.

SMART Implementation is intended as a first step in a BIM Implementation for your organization and is best suited for organizations that are just beginning to implement Revit. Applied Software would like to invest in your organization by conducting a short assessment of your goals and objectives as they relate to your current business operations to develop a comprehensive Implementation strategy. In the short term, the SMART Implementation will fulfill some of the most common needs you will have to start your implementation now.

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BIM Peer Review

Owner Requirements Compliance

Many projects are now governed by BIM Requirements established by the Owner and end users. These requirements must be identified early in the design process to ensure design and delivery meet expectations. Applied Software has developed BIM requirements for owner clients and is uniquely able to work with the design team to not only incorporate requirements into design and BIM but review deliverables, as an objected 3rd party, to ensure requirements are being met.

Model Health Check

Good design can be compromised by poor model development during all phases of design. Poor modeling practice early in a project can compound into larger issues later in a project. Applied Software can provide an objective review to the health of your projects model(s). This services will identify Pain Points in Modeling Process, Potential Future Implications if issues are not addressed, methods for Model Optimization, Industry Best Practices that should be implemented, Benchmark Against Other Projects and identify Inefficiencies in Design Process.

BIM Project Kickoff Meeting

The start to any project requires planning and team organization. For projects leveraging BIM it is necessary for the entire design team, along with contractor and owner, to establish goals and guidelines for the use of BIM on the project. Applied Software subject matter experts will meet with you and lead a meeting to begin the project with a plan for BIM use. No two projects are exactly alike and every project can benefit from the lessons learned on previous work. Having Applied Software as your BIM consultant brings broad experience to bear on your project.

Project Mentoring

No implementation is successful without BIM and Revit subject matter experts providing just in time support, training and guidance to ensure your first project and all subsequent projects meet or exceed expectations.

Experience with successful clients has proven that Applied Software mentoring and support through a project delivery cycle is absolutely necessary to reinforce the training objectives, communicate best practices, and to aid in efficiently overcoming project related hurdles. Bi-weekly 2 hour online meetings between client project teams and Applied Software will expedite the adoption of BIM technology and ensure smooth project adoption.

The following identifies possible activities during these sessions:

Interactive review of Revit project model(s) with team
Troubleshoot project specific Revit related questions and issues
Just-in-time training on an advanced Revit feature needed for a current project
Review of advanced uses of Revit on a project
Review and address client requested deliverables from Revit
Revit Project model review in advance of submissions
Worksharing/worksets implementation and best practices
Project positioning, shared parameters, solar study setup and utilization
Participate in project team BIM coordination meetings

Incorporating ASTI into the project team workflow will provide needed expertise after the initial training and throughout the project duration.

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Programming

Architectural/Interiors Programming

Every design starts with a program of requirements. Applied Software provides services to help designers with their programming needs. Depending on the need, there is a right sized solution or workflow to help you optimize your programming process. Although many owners provide the designer with programmatic and space requirements, using this information digitally can be challenging. Applied Software recognizes the different ways this information is used. We can help with leveraging the information digitally form early conceptual design into production.

Equipment

Many projects incorporate large numbers of equipment across multiple categories. Starting with HVAC, plumbing and electrical equipment to service the building and its occupants to the kitchen, medical and lab equipment used by the occupants, tracking every item is a challenge. Applied Software has solutions, services and integrations for the management of data and sharing between disparate systems.

Room Standards

Tied to architectural space programming, room standards organize space requirements into defined standards based on their design, layout or intended use. Those standards often become a unit for the control and layout of multiple spaces of the same standard. Many solutions are available that help manage these requirements. Applied Software is able to align you needs with the right solution and workflow. Simple advancement is workflow along can amount to measurable savings in time spent during early design.

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Coordination Review

BIM Requirements Compliance

Many projects are now governed by BIM Requirements established by the Owner and end users. These requirements must be identified early in the design process to ensure design and delivery meet expectations. Applied Software has developed BIM requirements for owner clients and is uniquely able to work with the design team to not only incorporate requirements into design and BIM but review deliverables, as an objected 3rd party, to ensure requirements are being met.

Multi-discipline Coordination Review

A simple benefit of using BIM for design and construction by all stakeholders is its ability to provide immediate feedback on the cooperation and alignment of different disciplines during the design process. Meeting to review model and design coordination are paramount to successful outcomes. Applied Software is able to lead multi-discipline coordination meetings when you are not able due to time or availability of skilled technicians.

Clash Detection

During the development to of building design using BIM it is critical that periodic clash detection analysis and review be scheduled with all stake holders. Applied Software provides services for conducting clash analysis and leading meetings to review the results. A coordinated and clash free design will make your project more successful during construction and benefit both the design, construction team and the owner.

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Implementation Consulting

Existing Workflow Discovery

Many companies have begun to or are being asked by their clients to adopt Building Information Modeling. These companies fall into one of three scenarios. The first is the firm that is just starting adopting BIM. They do not have BIM expertise in house and need a mentor and an adoption strategy. The second category of firm is one that has adopted BIM and finds that it is not reaping the benefits of BIM, is profitable operating in BIM, and may be at risk of not meeting its contract obligations. The third category of firm is one that has acquired BIM Experts and due to its agile culture has made process changes that enable it to be successfully operating in a BIM environment.

The Applied Software Discovery Assessment Services was created to help all three types of firms. We will work with you to determine where you are in the adoption spectrum outlined above and create a strategic plan tailored to your situation to help you increase your BIM capabilities. Applied Software has professionals from the architectural, engineering, and construction realms that have practical knowledge of how to successfully deliver BIM projects and build BIM empowered organizations. If you are just starting out, we can help you define an effective adoption plan to reach your business goals efficiently. If you are working in BIM and are having difficulties achieving the benefits it can provide, we can help you create a plan to streamline your processes and work with your practitioners to help them become BIM proficient. If you are successfully delivering BIM projects and want to increase your efficiencies and abilities, we can help you identify best practices that will boost your efficiencies and profitability. We focus on creating organizational areas that will enable a company to become BIM empowered. Those business functions are Business Practices and Workflows, Professional Development Plan, Requirements, and Infrastructure. We call these the Four Pillars for Success

The Applied Software Discovery Assessment process provides our clients with a realistic snap shot of their current Business Technology abilities and recommendations on how to effectively use technology to accelerate their business success. This process will provide the basic foundation from which an organization can align on its Business Technology goals and begin to build a strategy to take the next step in its abilities to use BIM and supporting tools such as REVIT and other software to improve their firm’s performance.

Skills Evaluation and Assessment

We provide tools to evaluate competencies, self-report progress, and provide curricula to assist your staff identify their BIM competency and create a personalized plan to improve their BIM capabilities. Additionally, this can be expanded to integrate with an existing Professional Develop Program or we are able to help you develop your own Professional Development Program which addresses learning to meet the needs identified during the assessment.

BIM Standards Development

Guidelines and standards form the foundation for consistently designing and delivering projects. Incorporating the graphic, data and delivery components into a cohesive set of templates and content will ensure smoother project setup and execution. BIM standards are an opportunity to incorporate those elements that have been successfully used in legacy systems while exploiting the opportunity to develop new standard components and workflows in support of the change to a BIM based workflow.

OR (from PSO)

In addition to quality instructor led training, an organization will require the development of a firm wide Revit Project Template as part of its BIM and Revit implementation. A Revit Project Template is a foundational element to beginning every project within your organization.

Without a well-structured and developed Revit Project Template a firm often recreates standards and content on every project. The Revit Project Template contains the firm’s graphic and delivery standards, as well as pre-configured content for managing the delivery of a BIM project and streamlining and expediting view management and standardization. Failure to develop a Revit Project Template will result in several hours of productivity lost due to constant re-work, inconsistent deliverables and staff frustration.

Establishing a well-developed template will help automate many time-consuming processes and will ensure better adherence to standards, resulting in a more consistent and predictable deliverable and less staff frustration.

Many organizations, after receiving training and achieving a certain level of proficiency, realize that they do not have the in-house resources or expertise to develop their initial Revit Project Template. Even a current template may require further development to incorporate changes in company standards and content, and advancements in software features and capabilities.

Applied Software can develop your initial template for you, incorporating your standards, to get your Revit implementation off to a good start. Applied Software can also “tune-up” or update and existing template. Additionally, we will conduct a short Template Orientation session and Template Management training session upon delivery of the template to arm your staff with the skills they need to continue to maintain the template as your implementation evolves.

Learning Strategy and Program Development

Learning, both technical and professional, is a continual process. Understanding the need for providing regular technical and industry training will make your staff more efficient and better informed. We partner with our customers to define a program that addressed learning from multiple sources. Planning for needed learning is paramount to a company’s growth and success.

Change Management

Adopting new processes and workflows associated with BIM can be disruptive. Planning for the challenges associated with the change is necessary for successful implementation of BIM processes and technologies. Our experience and success partnering with customers provides you a proven track record of success. We will advise you on how to implement new technology successfully on your first and every project.

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Project Management

Services include:

BIM Coordination – provide project coordination services for teams using BIM authoring tools and deliverables for design and construction
BIM Collaboration – work with entire team to setup, establish protocols, and implement technology for collaborating on BIM projects
BIM Requirements – work with AE and Owners to establish BIM requirements to address FM and O&M needs
BIM Deliverables – advise on options for sharing, managing, and collaboratively marking up models, sheets and data.
BIM Project Execution Planning – provide consulting services for development of BIM Project Execution Plan (PxP) template and supporting standards of care.
RFIs –advise on options for RFI tracking solutions
Submittals – advise on options for Submittal tracking solutions

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