BIM Manager – The Newest Position

Mark W. Kiker
CIO, HMC Architects
AUGI President
BIMManager.com

CM308-1

BIM manager, BIM leader, BIM coach or BIM coordinator. As BIM progresses, we're
seeing a new position develop that is dedicated to overseeing BIM projects. Is it
different than CAD manager? Is it the same? What duties should a BIM Manager be
doing? Which of them are the same as the CAD manager's? Is this a short-term
evolution or is the CAD manager being replaced? Discover what it takes to be a BIM
Manager.

About the Speaker:

Mark has more than 20 years of hands-on experience with CAD technology. He has developed
corporate CAD standards and guidelines for many firms. As a nationally known speaker and
writer, he has instructed over 5000 users at company sites, AU, local colleges and tech schools.
He is a returning faculty member at Autodesk University since 1996. He even worked inside the
reseller channel so he knows Autodesk® products from all sides. He is an Autodesk Certified
Trainer (ACT).

Mark is currently serving as President of the Autodesk User Group International (AUGI®). He
writes the monthly "CAD Manager" column for AUGI World magazine and also writes for AUGI
HotNews. He is editor of the monthly CADD Manager Journal e-newsletter and publishes the
CADD Manager Blog and www.bimmanager.com. He currently works at HMC Architects,
Ontario, CA as Chief Information Officer.

mark.kiker@bimmanager.com

(note: all survey results are from bimmanger.com unless noted.)

 BIM Manager – The Newest Position

Is BIM Different?

We all may be familiar with the processes used to create CAD Projects and manage
them… but…

BIM is a different animal altogether. Our project teams are different, workflow is
different, deliverables are different, scheduling is different, project management is
different, construction is different and facilities management can be different.

Or is it?

Are there commonalities between BIM Management and CAD Management?

What are the areas of difference?

What do I need to do to become a BIM Manager?

Revit - Building Information Modeling - Integrated Project Delivery

 Revit it the tool – Creates models

 That creates a BIM process – Creates better coordination
 That operates under an IPD methodology – Creates legal relationships and processes
 You can do Revit and not do BIM
 You can to BIM and not to IPD
 You can do IPD and not do Revit

Whose conversation is BIM?

 BIM Manager
 Revit
 Tools and Technology
 Standards
 Project Setup
 BIM
 Coordination handoffs
 IPD
 Contract language review

 Management/Owners
 Revit
 Go-No Go call
 BIM
 Consultant agreements
 Defining Team makeup
 Contract Deliverables
 IPD
 Contract development
 Partnering

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 BIM Manager – The Newest Position

The Promise of BIM

Building Information Modeling can allow continuous and immediate availability of design
features, schedule, and cost information that is high quality, reliable, integrated, and
fully coordinated. Among the many competitive advantages it generates are:

• Increased speed of delivery (time saved)

• Better coordination (fewer errors)
• Decreased labor costs (money saved)
• Greater interconnected productivity
• Higher-quality work output
• New revenue and business opportunities

The Changes of BIM

BIM Oversight is critical to this change!

The Changes of BIM

BIM requires you to…
• forget old habits
• reinvent old work flow
• redefine project teams
• refine design team coordination processes
• establishing levels of design detail in BIM
• investigate changes to billing and invoicing your clients
• investigate changes to design support functionality (specs and estimating)
• rethink accounting, billing, PM workflow

Why the tools never catch up

• The discussion of innovative tools always advances faster than the tool itself.
• The creative use of a tool always outruns the developer’s concept of how that tool
will be used
• The tools always advancing faster than the standards
• Standards are usually based on older releases

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 BIM Manager – The Newest Position

Who is using BIM?

July 28, 2009

Building Design and Construction
Dave Barista, BD+C Managing Editor
http://www.bdcnetwork.com/article/ca6668193.html

BIM Manager – Who are You?

BIM Managers… How many are there?

15.5% of those who have a Manager title are BIM related. Up from 13% last year.

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 BIM Manager – The Newest Position

The Titles

How long have you held the title?

How long have you personally been using BIM?

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 BIM Manager – The Newest Position

How did you arrive at the position?

 Hired as the CAD manager then implemented BIM

 Hired after doing BIM consulting and training
 Happened to be the most BIM savvy at the firm
at the time. Was an architect who helped Summary
implement Revit in a firm and then looked for a  Most grew into it
firm to do BIM Management full-time. from within the firm
 Started as a CAD Manager and moved more  Some hired into it
into BIM from outside
 I am a Recovering Architect who moved into  Some create the
CAD support due to me being good with position and fill it
technology (and an admittedly crappy  Some were forced
architect). Learned as much as possible and into it – or took it
moved up the ranks. on by default
 Directly applied after seeing it on a job board  Some were already
and also sent a copy of my app to a person doing CAD Support
who works at the firm (through a network and you expanded
contact) to BIM
 Advanced through projects using Revit, firm  Most achieved the
noticed abilities and moved me up. title via software
 Migrate from CAD Manager skills and
 Headhunted knowledge
 Previously the IT/CAD Manager in our firm.
Took charge of exploring the option of going to
BIM and I am the most technically savvy person in our office. The role just fell on my
shoulders.
 Purely by chance and having experience in the software.

What got you here will keep you here… for now

 Current position Skills

 Technical prowess
 Technical knowledge of your discipline
 Project Workflow Understanding

 Needed Skills for the future

 Collaboration wisdom
 Management/People Skills
 Negotiation prowess
 Team Builder

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 BIM Manager – The Newest Position

What software do you oversee?

What is your contribution in selecting BIM Tools?

How many hours do you spend each week overseeing BIM?

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 BIM Manager – The Newest Position

Salary Ranges - bimmanager.com

Salary Ranges - AUGI – 2009 Salary Survey - Average for CAD Manager: $61,014

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 BIM Manager – The Newest Position

Do you have a formal job description?

A Possible Job Description

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

See Appendix for BIM Manager Job Description

What a BIM Manager cannot do…

• Force change
• Stop selling
• Stop watching the progress
• Change the Design Process
• Be everywhere
• Make people experts
• Get Management to understand
• Be the Firm’s Management Owner of BIM

How long has your firm been using BIM?

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 BIM Manager – The Newest Position

Source: McGraw-Hill SmartMarket Report 2009

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 BIM Manager – The Newest Position

More than four in five non-users (89%) believe their competition is either not using BIM
very much or not using it at all. A third of engineers and contractors believe their
competition isn’t using it at all.

More Survey Results

 68% of those surveyed worked in office of over 100 people vs 57% last year.
 Yet 28% said they have less than 10 seats of BIM (45% in 08)

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 BIM Manager – The Newest Position

How many projects do you have in BIM?

How many projects do you have in active in BIM right now?

 68% have less than 5 projects active
 30% have only 1 or 2 active

How many projects have you had since you started using BIM?

30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%

The Predictions for BIM

Have the projections outstripped reality?

from Construction Industry SmartMarket Report – 10/2007

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 BIM Manager – The Newest Position

What percentage of your projects are in BIM?

What BIM Software are you using?

Revit 77%

NavisWorks 11%

Bentley Architecture 9%

ArchiCAD 5%

Tekla Structures 2%

Other 2%

None 18%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Source: Design Intelligence Technology Survey – May 2009

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 BIM Manager – The Newest Position

How much is each in-house discipline using it?

96% 96% 96%

77% 78% 77%

67%
47%

32% 33%
19% 20%

When you hire a consultant – how much are they using BIM?

69%
64%
44% 50% 47% 46% 50% 50% 48%
44%

21% 20% 20%

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 BIM Manager – The Newest Position

What Aspect of BIM do you make use of?

Visualization 68%

Clash Detection 61%

Sustainable Design 42%

Shop Drawing Coordination 32%

Marketing 32%

Record Models 28%

Phasing and Scheduling 26%

Cost Estimating 23%

Construction Monitoring 5%

Not using BIM 25%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Results seen from Using BIM

Improved Project Coordination 44%

Increased Document Quality 37%
Reduced Errors 34%
Increased Design Effectiveness 32%
Increased desgin/performance Optimization 31%
Increased Accuracy in Construction 29%
Reduced RFIs 22%
Increased Cost control and certainty 22%
Minimized Change Orders 19%
Improved Bid Accuracy 19%
Streamlined the Building Process 12%
Increased Schedule Effeciency 8%
Decreased PM Costs 8%
Learning Curve caused Ineffeciencies 5%
Decrease Construction Labor costs 3%
Improved Facilities Management 2%
Don't Know 22%
Not Using BIM 25%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

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 BIM Manager – The Newest Position

What is the farthest phase you have taken a project?

What is the average size of your projects?

What size was your largest project?

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 BIM Manager – The Newest Position

Comparing Project Sizes

Largest Average

Is BIM Management just CAD Management 2.0 ?

Yes:
 Many of the same skills are used in both
 Many of the same career stages are the same
 Many of the management problems are the same
No:
 BIM is wrapped tighter to the design process
 BIM Management is (at this time) requires more project team interaction
 BIM is not encumbered by the legacy processes of CAD
 BIM impacts more than just the tech tools
 BIM is a narrower focused process and tool for facility design
 BIM is changing the way projects are typically delivered
 BIM is forcing a “rethink” on every area of your firms business processes

Can the CAD Manager do it?

 BIM takes more time and focused interaction on project

 Many need to add BIM expertise
 If they do not know how a building design process works they could have trouble
 Transitioning takes effort
 Split affinities may not work – how can you serve two masters?
 If you run a tight ship in CAD – you increase you chances of successfully being able
to add BIM Management
 Problem solving issues are processed at differing levels

What have we learned from CAD that could apply to BIM?

 Technology has to be managed

 Management is not only about the tool
 People skills are as valuable as tech skills
 Standardization is needed
 Change management skills are critical
 BIM and CAD are both woven into the fabric of Design – BIM even more

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 BIM Manager – The Newest Position

Steps in the BIM Manager Career Path

So how do I get there?

 Know your Stuff
 Show your Stuff
 Create the Position and Fill it
 Sell yourself
 Find a firm that needs you
 Manage your expectations…
 Salary
 Embrace of BIM
 Speed of your advancement
 Extent of your influence

PASS IT ON…
BIM Manager- The Newest Position
Class Code: CM308-1

Mark W. Kiker
HMC Architects
AUGI President
www.bimmanager.com
mark.kiker@bimmanager.com

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BIM Manager Job Description

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Software
o Manage software products including but not limited to incorporating new
version releases and customization of the product
o Manage the implementation of supporting software for BIM
o Evaluate new BIM related software and technologies
o Stay informed on best practices for use of Revit Architecture and BIM.
o Stay informed on other BIM related software and how they work with Revit
o Installation and support of related BIM software

• Standards
o Responsible for BIM standards development, implementation, and
enforcement
o Creation and maintenance of the software Template files to assure standards
o Provide support for plotting and electronic file submissions
o Automate routines in BIM to support standards and productivity
o Provide quality control for completeness and adherence to company standards
of all shop drawings produced
o Assist in developing and enforcing BIM documentation and workflow process
standards
o Train and oversee the day-to-day activities of the Revit Specialist to ensure
BIM standards are maintained in the creation of the Architectural Revit model

• Management:
o create written technology evaluations and budgets for future technology
adoption that aligns with the corporate goals
o Chair the company’s BIM committee
o Report on the company’s current and projected state in regards to BIM
implementation
o Create Upgrade and Deployment strategies for the BIM implementation effort

Assess: evaluate the firms current workflow, strategies, budgets,
projects, staffing, etc.

Plan: create a plan for implementation. Who are the team members,
what is the project, what are the goals, etc.

Solve; Execute the plan, install the software, get templates created,
get training, do the pilot project, etc.

Confirm: Be able to demonstrate the company’s BIM success by
evaluating goals that were established in the Assess Phase

• Support:
o provide hardware and network support as it relates to BIM production
o Support the BIM technology needs of our satellite offices
o Troubleshoot problems.
o Liaison with national vendors.
o Liaison with corporate technology support staff.

www.bimmanager.com
 o Liaison with software developer support staff and other support channels.

• Training
o Internal Training: Provide Revit Architecture Fundamental and Intermediate
training to staff
o Conduct internal continuing education Revit Architecture training sessions.
o Provide technical orientation to New Hires regarding BIM tools
o Test new hires skills in BIM
o Maintain high level of competency of software through continued use and
training
o Attend conferences, seminars, and workshops for BIM; bringing back learning
and disseminating the information to appropriate teams

• Project Interface:
o support project standards coordination with customers
o Assist on project work - modeling and detailing
o Assist project teams in BIM project setup.
o Create Revit families in response to project need.
o Help resolve BIM design issues
o Manage and distribute coordinated digital documents to the project team
o Coordinate needed hardware upgrades with IT Communicate with
subcontractors to receive, coordinate and update all electronic models
o Linking BIM to the project Construction Administration Phase for submittals,
construction models, shop drawings and schedules

• Marketing of BIM services:

o Web, literature, interviews, presenting at relevant client focused conferences
o Future BIM/Revit Architecture Industry Initiatives and Developments
o Identify trends and business opportunities relating to BIM Evaluate and make
recommendations regarding BIM software.

• Liaison for BIM process with:

o Future planning for potential uses of BIM
o Sustainable Design
o Planning
o 3D Renderings
o Facilities Management
o Cost Estimating
o Specification Management
o Integrated Project Delivery
o Digital Prototyping and Digital Fabrication
o Modularization

• Involvement with Industry Organizations:

o AIA Technology in Architectural Practice (TAP) Knowledge Community
o AIA Integrated Practice Knowledge Community Industry Events: AIA National
Convention
o Autodesk University
o AUGI
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 o Local User Groups
o Local colleges and universities for future resources

QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED
• 5+ year's production experience in design, drafting or engineering
• Must have an in-depth working knowledge of current BIM versions with emphasis on
project sheet setup
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Must have a professional appearance
• Ability to use time productively, maximize efficiency, and meet challenging work
goals
• Ability to take on additional responsibilities as needed as well as determine and
manage priorities with minimal guidance
• Must possess and maintain exceptional work ethic as well as uphold company values
and demand the highest standard of conduct from self and others
• Must have basic PC experience in Windows environments, working knowledge of
word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, Web-enabled applications, and database
software
• Must be a self-starter and possess the drive to pursue continued education on BIM
• Possess the ability to work well as part of a team and independently

www.bimmanager.com