Bradley BIM-Revit Resource Portal

Assembling your Revit Implementation Puzzle, requires a transition of all the "pieces"; your organization, staff, technologies, project workflows, consultants and clients from CAD-based processes to your future BIM-based processes.

Based on 25 years of transitioning hundreds of design, construction and facility owner organizations -- these are the 5 typical investment costs; for your consideration.

To be clear - the Revit transition will change how all of the "pieces" connect and create the new "BIM-process picture" for your organization.

These will be upfront and ongoing investment costs. However, the costs are 'time and financial investments'; that can be planned within your budgets and billing processes. If properly implemented, documented and managed; they should provide a Return-On-Invest (ROI) from your BIM transition efforts.

For now, I've listed them below; many times including a link to a related article. Over time; I'll fill in the blanks with more detailed articles; that best explain how these made "the list" from my 10+ years of client Revit implementation experiences.

[ Low-Cost Revit Implementation Strategy That Wins Business ]

1 ) Hire a Revit Implementation 'Consultant'

A consultant should deliver a full assessment of your current staff, technologies, consultants, document distribution, graphic standards, and workflow processes. The 'consultant' could be an architect, engineer or contractor; that has a long, successful experience with a variety of organizational Revit implementations.

This person and/or organization should prescribe & deliver to your organization a roll-out recommendation with implementation options, schedule and budget. Review their Phased-In Plan; which typically involves Pilot Projects to clarify the Proof of Processes, specific to your organization. 

Your most effective method to quickly succeed, is to hire someone;,who can help you design your "Revit Road Map" --prior to starting the Revit implementation journey.

[ Revit Implementation Secrets - 10 Best Revit Process Features ]

2) Revit Software & Computer Systems\Networks:

The Revit software, computer systems & network will need to be better and faster; than the typical CAD workstations. The Revit project files will be larger; while Revit supports the benefit of several people simultaneously, accessing the same project file.

[ Revit 2016 New Features List \ Videos-Downloads-System Requirements ]

3) Revit Training and Continued Education

Revit's functionality and processes are far different than AutoCAD. Training will be required; to learn both the new software and the valuable productivity process enhancements. Designing a custom learning program; will expedite your Revit implementation plan; that is specific to your firm's staff and projects. You'll also improve your organization's Return-On-Investment by rolling out Revit faster, on more projects.

[ Keys to Designing Your Successful Revit 101 Basic Training ]

4) BIM Manager Role and Position

How do you prepare for the BIM Manager role and position in your organization? Do you hire from outside your firm or train from within? The BIM Manager responsibilities far exceed the role of a CAD Manager --which many times; was associated with managing project graphic standards, file organization and training.

[ Define BIM Manager Roles | Key to Shaping Compensation Programs ]

5) Revit (Family) Building Product Content Library - Standards

Assembling and managing a Revit Library of reliable building product content for your projects --will determine the efficiency of your Revit projects. There are hundreds of building product manufacturers; that provide free, pre-built Revit content (windows, fixtures, walls) --where almost none existed 10 years ago.

[ Key Costs for Building Revit Families ]

As these are NOT 'One and Done' investments; they need to be incorporated into every annual sales, business, marketing, education, management budget. BIM Means Business.

Daniel Hughes | BIM Strategist: These have proven to be the most consistent Revit investments; that organizations have embedded into their annual budgets. This "top 5" list has remained consistent for more than 10 years; they belong in your annual budget and business plans.

Transitioning your design, engineering, and construction processes from CAD to BIM processes - requires a BIM Implementation Plan; that budgets for technology and process training.

For those that have implemented BIM; this is an obvious, logical process for success.

--- Revit Implementation Puzzle – 5 Basic Planned Investments ---

However; for newcomers to the BIM process -- its hard to ask the planning questions when you either don't know the questions to ask OR why you are asking those questions.

A series of BIM Prep classes may be the answer. During my Baltimore visit with a prominent construction company's BIM\VDC Manager, he described a series of classes; that has been helpful to educate owners on 4 topic areas of asking for BIM on their projects.

Nationally, he's seen design and engineering principals attend these same classes; as a prerequisite to 'road mapping' BIM Process Initiatives within their firms.

I've highlighted these classes during my national BIM education classes and workshops. Attending owners, designers and contractors have provided their positive experiences from attending these classes.

Here's the AGC page with links to the Original CM-BIM Candidate Guide and the Revised CM-BIM Candidate Guide.

AGC Certificate of Management — Building Information Modeling Page

It also includes links to the Exam Calendar, Application Form, Retake Form, Renewal Form and Testing Center Locations. The Original Guide provides the course and unit descriptions that are outlined below.

The AGC Certificate of Management-Building Information Modeling (CM-BIM) is an assessment-based certificate credential; that denotes knowledge and understanding of concepts related to BIM adoption, practice and process transformation outlined in the AGC BIM Education Program. Successful candidates will carry the CM-BIM designation.

--- Navisworks | Contractors Revit – BIM Model Viewer ---

BIM Unit 1: Introduction to Building Information Modeling (8 Hours)

BIM Unit 1 provides an overview of BIM terminology and practices while introducing important concepts necessary to understand how BIM is changing the construction process.

It is developed for those who have had minimal exposure to BIM. This course relies on a highly participatory learning environment including case studies, classroom discussion, in-class exercises and instructor-led discussions.

Course Learning Objectives

Following successful completion of this course, participants will have the ability to:

• Recognize the importance of BIM

• Define common BIM terminology

• Discuss how BIM can be used as a communication and collaboration tool

• Explain the benefits of BIM

• Explain the federated model process

• Compare examples of successful BIM usage

• Discuss issues associated with starting BIM

• Create a company BIM assessment

--- Download BIMFORUM LOD Specifications | AGC-AIA | AU2015 ---

BIM Unit 2: BIM Technology (8 Hours)

BIM Unit 2 provides a neutral introduction to BIM tools. Throughout the course, tools are
introduced as they relate to the functions they perform, as well as particular phases in a project where they have the strongest capabilities.

By understanding these differences, it is possible for each attendee to determine what questions need to be asked prior to making an investment in technology.

Course Learning Objectives

Following successful completion of this course, participants will have the ability to:

• Explain the phased structure of a BIM project;

• Discuss the classes of BIM tools;

• List the more common BIM applications;

• Describe how the use of BIM tools needs to be planned and organized;

• Explain the need to embed tools into processes; and

• Develop a process for identifying and selecting BIM tools.

--- Mayo Clinic BIM Manager – Contractual Project Model Development Specification ---

BIM Unit 3: BIM Contract Negotiation and Contract Allocation

BIM Unit 3 allows the participant to examine BIM and contract terminology to determine
best practices for integrating BIM use into project contracts, as well as hot-button issues such as standard of care, intellectual property rights, and insurance and surety bonding coverage to help participants become BIM champions within their organizations.

It is assumed that all participants have had exposure to basic BIM concepts and terminology through attendance BIM 101.

Course Learning Objectives

Following successful completion of this course, participants will have the ability to:

• Explain contract liability and standards of care related to BIM

• Negotiate BIM Addendum terms for BIM Execution Plan development

• Use BIM contract negotiation to establish proactive collaborative BIM

• Identify intellectual property rights and licensing issues related to Model use

• Recognize BIM coverage limitations in existing insurance and bond products

• Devise fair risk allocation and management responsibility provisions on BIM projects

--- Download McGraw-Hill – Business Value of BIM for Construction Report ---

BIM Unit 4: BIM Process, Adoption and Integration

BIM Unit 4 provides a foundation for participants to establish and execute the BIM process, facilitate its adoption, and achieve integration on a single project and at a company level to execute multiple BIM projects simultaneously.

Course Learning Objectives

Following successful completion of this course, participants will have the ability to:

• Define process, adoption and integration as related to BIM implementation

• Describe why BIM is a disruptive practice today

• Identify reactive and proactive BIM outcomes

• Evaluate and select process options for a specific BIM project

• Describe the roles and responsibilities of participants in the BIM process

• Identify consistent factors influencing BIM Return on Investment (ROI) at the project and the company levels

• Communicate the BIM process to management, colleagues, and project stakeholders

• Outline a process for BIM adoption and implementation at the project and the company levels

I need to learn Revit software now! How can I get started learning Revit?

Which of these best describes your current situation?

1. My job doesn't use Revit, but I want to improve my future job options.

2. My employer uses Revit, but I lack the Revit training.

3. I'm unemployed or not employed in my choice of design + construction jobs that use Revit.

Depending on your location, timeline and available financing; here are 3 options:

• Register for a technical \ community college Revit 101 semester class.(12-16 weeks)

• Purchase Revit classroom training from an Autodesk Reseller. (3-5 consecutive days)

• Purchase Revit online training or class from a technical college, Reseller or Certified Revit Trainer-Consultant. (time frame to complete class varies)

Consider obtaining basic Autodesk Revit Certification as your ultimate goal; to improve your employment options. Here are a few of these options to achieve that goal.

Revit-BIM Experience Required | Architect – Engineer – Construction Jobs

The value of technical college classes is largely dependent on the instructor's background implementing the software on "live projects". Many times the night instructors; that work in design + construction firms during the day, will teach the night classes.

A core strategic advantage to Revit Cloud computing is simple; it's called 'Infinite Computing'.

From your local Revit software, you access the raw power of computing equipment; that has both processing and memory resources; that you can't buy for your desktop, laptop or tablet computer.

I processed this rendered image in 9 minutes (Best\Final Quality, 31 Artificial light sources) using the 'Infinite Computing' power of Autodesk 360.

--- Revit Cloud Potential | 5 Game-Changing Processes ---

In 45-minutes, I processed six rendered views (from a 120MB project) including one panoramic-JPG (360 view) that displays an animated, rendered view of the entire locker room.

Previously, it took 45-minutes to process one rendering from this view; using a workstation quality laptop with 16GB of RAM, 64-bit OS & Revit.

--- 5 Revit Presentation Tips | Architect Steven Shell ---

The Autodesk 360 rendering dashboard, features several image editing and 'Re-render' tools; to modify the initial rendered image\view.

Designers are always seeking better and faster visual tools; to confirm their clients' approval of their proposed design options.

Revit Cloud-based rendering 'levels the playing field' for sole-proprietorships, smaller staffed studios & design firms. They can create more design options, more quickly for their clients' approval; while greatly minimizing their time + labor costs.

Autodesk | Perpetual Licensing Explained and Defined

Updated 2016-09-29: Revit 2016 and AutoCAD 2016 will be the last versions offered with Perpetual Licensing for Stand-Alone Desktop Software.

Revit 2016 New Features

Videos-Downloads-System Requirements

Autodesk Software Licensing for standalone desktop software will transition from perpetual licensing to desktop subscription licensing on February 1, 2016.

Perpetual Licensing for Autodesk Suites Licenses Will Remain Available After February 2016.

February 1, 2016, marks the end of “perpetual licenses for standalone desktop products,” clarified Andrew Anagnost, Autodesk Senior VP. “The suites [such as Building Design Suite, Product Design Suite, Entertainment Creation Suite] will continue to be available as standalone desktop products for some time, but that won’t last forever.”

Customers with perpetual licenses purchased prior to the cutoff date can continue to use their products with support from Autodesk. If these customers are on maintenance contract, Autodesk is expected to keep their perpetual desktop titles current with updates.

Robert Green's February 2015 article; How Will You Buy CAD Software in 2016? -- defines the terms of what licenses will be affected on February 1, 2016.

Defining License Terms and Costs

Perpetual License: A software license you own that runs with no time limits. A perpetual license for one seat of standalone AutoCAD 2015 is $4,195.

Maintenance Subscription: An annual maintenance contract that you can purchase with a perpetual license to keep the software up to date. Maintenance Subscription for AutoCAD is $545 per year.

Desktop Subscription: An annual or monthly rental contract that entitles you to run the latest version of the software. At the end of the rental period, if you don't renew, the software stops working. Desktop Subscription for AutoCAD is $1,680 per year or $210 per month. View Robert's complete article with sample cost structures.

Three Winning Advantages of BIM Software Rental Licensing

My April Sourcceable.net article highlights three financial situations; where current BIM-CAD software licensing; became an extreme financial liability. It recently affected hundreds of firms and thousands of design, engineering and construction professionals.

BIM and CAD software licensing has been transitioning toward subscription-only programs. These programs are best described as pay-as-you-go, software rental, subscription or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) programs.

In 2016, Autodesk Subscription Licensing Programs begin a major transition to BIM-CAD software rental or pay-as-you-go licensing programs. As new licensing is incrementally rolled out, this model will eventually become the standard software delivery-access process for design professionals.

If Revit-AutoCAD software rental licensing had been available prior to 2009 --the financial and employment impact on the AECO market would have been different.

These 3 perpetual license situations affected hundreds of my clients, colleagues and my career.

1. Firms Had More Revit \ BIM Software Licenses Than Employed Staff

2. Firms Assumed Long-term License Costs (Ownership) for Short-Term Team Projects

3. Firms' Revit \ BIM Software Start-Up Costs and ROI Payback Time Were Painfully Long

After I highlight the affects of perpetual licensing of these 3 situations, I review how the availability of Rental \ Subscription Licensing could have avoided the financial chaos:

Three Winning Advantages of BIM Software Rental Licensing

Daniel Hughes April BIM Article for Sourceable.net

Autodesk Licensing Over 30 Years - It's Time for a Transition

My first PC CAD software license was AutoCAD 1.x (1984) and my first BIM software license was Revit 4.0 (2002) The AutoCAD software was a perpetual license but the Revit license was an annual subscription (rental) license.

The AutoCAD perpetual license worked 24\7\365 --and allowed us to choose when or if we upgraded to the next software version. The Revit subscription (rental) license worked for 12 months and then required payment to run for another 12 months.

There was the infamous AutoCAD 2.5x software license; that included a hardware lock (licensing) device. The device connected to the computer’s parallel port (printer) to verify that it was a legal license. Without the hardware lock, the CAD software license would not to run. Eventually, Autodesk issued authentication codes with software licenses; that needed to be entered at the time of installation.

--- Revit 2016 – AutoCAD 2016 Software Licensing | Reducing Cost of Ownership ---

My Revit subscription (rental) license periodically “pinged” the Revit Corporate web license server to authenticate my laptop license. However, a few times when Revit tried to authenticate the license; I was not connected to the internet.

Bradley's Revit Family models were created with a high Level Of Development (LOD). Bradley Revit models are designed to accommodate the needs of all four Revit project members; architect, engineer, contractor and facility owners.

There are several reasons the Bradley BIM Team chose to build a single Revit model; that was all-inclusive to serve all disciplines.

Bradley Revit-BIM Family Quality Standards | Top 10 FAQs

1) Logistically, its easier to manage embedded data parameters of more than 1,000 Revit models; as one inclusive model for all disciplines.

2) Ideally, a manufacturer's Revit model that is shared amongst the team; guarantees data consistency and minimizes the modeling costs for everyone. Consider this:

How often will your consultant(s) build a Revit model for both them and for your discipline?

How often do you build Revit models for your consultants?

3) Realistically, my onsite client visits confirm that BIM \ VDC Managers maintain a LOD definition; specific to their organization, projects and team members.

"We will decide what content we keep and delete within our Revit families."

[Common BIM-VDC Managers Response]

Bradley anticipated Revit Managers would remove content from Bradley Revit models; to meet their standards, preferences and criteria. It is far easier, faster and cheaper for them to delete content, from an all-inclusive Revit model.

Once they remove family content; perhaps after adding their own shared \ family parameters --they will save a Bradley Revit family file down to a smaller file size.

Bradley Revit Family Secrets – Compact File Reduces File Size

For example;

Architectural designers may remove the MEP connections, solids or voids --keeping only basic solids, masking regions and symbolic line-work.

Engineers may remove the materials, solids and voids --keeping the MEP connections and portions of the masking regions & symbolic line-work.

Contractors creating the Owner's as-built project Revit models; have typically requested and\or used the Bradley Revit models in their original high LOD format.

Technology's Exponential Growth Will Change Revit Family Rules

The Bradley BIM Initiative strategy forecasted; that Revit, LOD, BIM and supporting technology processes would remain "moving targets".

I attended the AU 2013 class; which detailed the Mayo Clinic Modeling Development Specification (MDS) --developed by Mayo Clinic BIM Program Manager, Andy Jizba (Arizona) and David Paul Wilkinson, Autodesk Consulting Services.

Autodesk University Class

• Model Development Specification: Communicating the Exchange of Reliable Models

The purpose of the Model Development Specification (MDS) is to define how Building Information Modeling (BIM) will be implemented and managed on both current and future projects.

Critical to the development of the BIM is a complete understanding of how the model will be used during the course of the design, construction, and life-cycle management of the building.

Andy Jizba | Mayo Clinic BIM Program Manager (Arizona)

While Level of Development (LOD) gains traction for Revit component and project modeling; Mayo Clinic has created a contractual deliverable process that defines

• a mutually defined LOD for each discipline, by each discipline -- based on an initial, project kick-off meeting with the owner.

• how the owner plans to use BIM for the Building's Lifecycle Management and Operations & Maintenance (O&M).

• LOD roles and responsibilities at each phase of the project: Lead, Support & Use

• how to use Revit family LOD shared parameters; to monitor & manage a project's LOD progress for each discipline and phase --to minimize rework of the model.

• a method that allows each stakeholder to integrate their interdependent Revit-BIM modeling standards into the project standards.

How much Revit Project Content, Methods, Procedures, Standards and Communication Processes are you harvesting at the completion of every Revit project?

Harvesting Revit content and documenting the 'Lessons Learned' from Pilot Projects is common; when firms first implement Revit. However, as firms grow confident producing projects in Revit; they tend to reduce or discontinue the post-project 'harvesting  process'. 

At the end of a project, the team may lack time to find and use content to finalize the project.

This results in standards and/or procedures; that may not be followed. A final team debriefing and Project Process Review is a recommended method to harvest reusable content, successful team processes and communications. 

The project review identifies content and processes; that may need to be added, revised or removed from the firm's project delivery method.

Show Me the Money.

Project Teams disband quickly as the project is completed. This protects the project profitability by removing all unbillable staff as-soon-as-possible. So where's the money? ... when we suggest a labor-dependent process to review and harvest content & standards from a finaized project?

The money is derived on future, more efficiently run projects; that are more profitable. These successful projects and teams are referenced to market and obtain additional new projects. 

The BIM project harvesting process mimics portions of the Manufacturers' Playbook.

There are three (3) processes; that manufacturing and facility construction projects utilize to document 'lessons learned' to become more efficient, marketable and profitable:

1) Manufacturing teams have a Product Delivery Process; that mimic many design-construciton teams' Project Delivery Processs.

2) Manufacturers' Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) share numerous processes; that are similar to a construction Project Lifecycle Managerment. For example, consider the similarities between Lean & Green Manufacturing and Lean & Green Construction.

3) Manufacturers' continuous improvement programs are ongoing review processes; improving both product & process for the life of the product. The harvesting of construction project Content, Standards and Processes is very similar goals & outcomes.

Manufacturers assign small project teams  for various aspects of designing and producing the product. This includes engineering improvements, product testing, material selections, manufacturing techniques & processes; that also include customer quality surveys and product case studies.

Likewise, design-construction projects are not 'one and done' events. Reviewing BIM projects for content, procedures, methods & standards will yield better future project outcomes. 

Here are a few processes I've taught and commonly implemented with corporate BIM Managers to maximize their BIM investment. 

 BIM Project Content Harvesting

Projects' pre-built content ("the money") can be extracted, reviewed, edited, stored and reused in the standard Revit library for future use. This will minimizes future design teams looking for content that have already been discovered, tested and used.

This includes;

1. Revit Component Families (RFA files)

2. Revit System Families (walls, ceilings, stairs)

3. Construction Details (Revit Drafting Views) 

4. Revit Schedules - those used for Construction Docs and those used for tracking project status

5. Transfer Project Standards to Project Template

6. Building Product Manufacturers' Revit Content

7. Material types, family types, graphic standards: line patterns, line types, dimension & text styles, View Templates, etc

Consider using these four tips\processes; while creating manufacturer product Revit families and to assist with the design \ layout of these space types:

• toilet rooms, locker rooms, washrooms

• commercial kitchens & food service

• mechanical & utility rooms

• office, retail, education & healthcare space w/ furniture, fixtures & equipment

--- Revit for Restaurant Prototypes | Core Business-Design Values ---

1) Revit Family Reference Planes Aid Dimensioning

The image on the left is a front view of a Bradley solid surface lavatory Revit family.

1. The PLAN & FRONT ELEVATION images on the right; show the lavatory family installed into a Revit project.
2. The lavatory Revit family (on the left) embeds vertical and horizontal Reference Planes (green dashed lines); that define the vertical \ horizontal surfaces or center lines of lavatory components.
3. Tip: This includes Water & waste connections, electrical, faucet & soap dispenser placement, lavatory structural support and installation height locations.
4. Images on the right (above), show dimensions often used in PLAN\ELEVATION view in architectural, plumbing and/or contractor drawings.
5. Reference planes in the Revit Family are set to WEAK Reference; thereby allowing the Revit Project to dimension these locations.