"We are reviewing the future implementation of a firm-wide BIM Manager for our organization. What type of BIM Manager compensation packages have you seen for a design firm of our size?"

A colleague, serving on a design firm's Executive Planning Committee; recently emailed me this question.

First; Define the Roles & Responsibilities

Before discussing compensation; define the BIM Mangers’ roles and responsibilities. Create a detailed description that includes the tasks a firm perceives and foresees for this position. Define a job description using these 12 current & future tasks; that are common for today's BIM\VDC Managers.

Once they define the roles that this position will serve both now and in the near future; firms can move to the next step, the BIM Manager compensation program. This will also enable firms to identify a candidate for this 'lead' management position.

Executive Checklist for BIM \ VDC Manager Job Description (Sample)

BIM, Revit, Standard & Alternate Project Delivery, Construction Documenation & Specifications, Office & Mobile Technology, and Building & MEP Prefabrication processes are reshaping the design, engineering, construction and facility management landscape.

One Core commonality amonst these processes; people and processes areDIGITALLY connected.

When defining this position, consider to simultaneously review and redefine these corporate plans; to better integrate with the BIM\VDC Manager position.

• business,
• marketing,
• design,
• professional development & workflow
• compensation

The BIM\VDC Manager will serve collaboratively in a multitude of roles; that are listed below:

01) The position requires someone with a variety of mastered skills; that can serve in both billable & non-billable roles.

02) They will have Revit-BIM Project experience; making decisions based on proven methods; that they can reference. Not theories, not the latest grand ideas; but processes that are supported by successful project case study experience.

03) BIM Managers are the Quality Control Managers; that typically link project models to corporate standards for product specifications, BIM library & graphic standards, codes & standards, construction details & keynoting, and construction documentation.

04) BIM Managers or Digital Design Directors may serve as field agents for the firm as the project goes into the construction phase.

05) BIM Managers have key roles in the firm's professional development program to provide staff with new procedures and strategies for leveraging new software features & benefits. The goal, transition them into financial & time benefits for marketing, production, construction and contractual obligations.

06) This role is mobile within the office, across the project team and to the construction site. Firm need to provide the equipment, transportation and communications technologies that complement the position.

07) The individual must be able to communicate effectively in-person, via email, on video and/or Skype.

08) They will be accountable for planning and setting corporate technology & training budgets.

09) They need a working knowledge of "positioning" the firms' technology commitments for the next 3-4 years; to effectively create a technlolgy roadmap. For larger firms, they'll serve collaboratively with the IT Manager on the future technology implemenations. 

The Best of BradleyBIM.com

BradleyBIM.com was launched in February 2011. It's initial goal was to serve as an online technical support tool for Revit professionals using the Bradley Revit Family Library. (1,000 families)  

Now totaling over 350 articles; Revit-BIM educational topics include LOD, prefabrication, staff training, software implementation, industry-market trends, winning new business, production tips, architecture, engineering, construction, facility management and so much more.

Averaging 50,000 visitors per year, we've listed our visitors' most viewed and shared articles from our Revit-BIM Article Library. 

Articles are sorted and listed below in the following 5 categories:

Revit-BIM for Design Reviews\Client Presentations
McGraw-Hill SmartMarket BIM Studies, Surveys & Reports
Architectural, Design & Specifications
Engineering, Design & Construction
Revit Implementation, Training & Management

Revit-BIM for Design Reviews\Client Presentations

 BIM for Virtual & Augmented Reality. Game On! (video gallery)

5 Revit Presentation Tips | Architect Steven Shell

Revit 10-Step Guide to Setup Lights for Interior Renderings

Owner Design Reviews | Expedite Multiple Revit Walkthrough Videos

Free Downloads of McGraw-Hill SmartMarket BIM Reports

(Download Reports from 2009 - Present)

Architectural, Design & Specifications

 BIM for Toilet Room Design | Construction Specifier AIA Convention Issue

Download Pre-built Revit Accessible Toilet Room Sample Model

4 Revit Fixture-Room Layout Tips | ADA-Universal Design Review

4 Bradley Revit Lavatories for ADA Compliant Toilet Room Renovations

BradleyBIM e-SPECS-for-Revit Begins 5th Year Commitment

Download Bradley Visual MasterFormat Specification Product Guide

Compact Accessible Green Toilet Room Design | Advocate Revit Library

5 Sustainable-Quality Benefits of Powder Coat Paint Partitions Revit Library

4 Hours | 2D AutoCAD to Visually Data-Rich Revit Documentation

Bradley Solid Plastic Revit Lockers | Easter-Egg Parameter Options

Bradley Molded Shapes | Solid-Surface Lavatory Systems - Revit Library (videos\product images)

Engineering, Design & Construction

 BIM Means Business | Plumbing Engineer Magazine - ASPE

BIM Means Business | Plumbing Heating-Cooling Contractors-WI

Skanska Revit-MEP Prefabrication | New Assembly Line Efficiency

Keltech Tankless Water Heater with Revit Type Catalog | Clearance Box

SysQue Provides Bradley Revit MEP \ Autodesk Fabrication Model Library

Revit-BIM Manages Construction Site Assets and Safety

Mayo Clinic BIM Manager - Project Model Development Specification (LOD)

 BradleyBIM for Design-Build \ Integrated Project Delivery \ EPC

BIM Process Improving Construction Site Safety | Turner Construction

5 Sustainable Features of Keltech Commercial Tankless Water Heaters - Revit Library

Revit Implementation, Training & Management

 Revit Implementation Puzzle - 5 Basic Planned Investments

Low-Cost Revit Implementation Strategy That Wins Business

Revit Implementation Secrets - 10 Best Revit Process Features

The Bradley Virtual Design Tool (VDT) provides architects and designers self-service, photo-realistic product selection tools, within several pre-built restroom environments:

[ High Traffic ] - [ Institutional ] - [ Corporate ] - [ Hospitality ]

1) The Bradley VDT DESIGN tool offers to answer the most frequent client concern,

[ How will this lavatory-sink model appear within a space using my color selections? ]

2) The Bradley VDT COLLABORATION tool provides the answer to the next most important question,

[ How can I capture and share my design option decisions with my team and owner? ]

1) DESIGN Menu

 Designers choose a project environment (Location) for visualizing Bradley's Natural Quartz and/or Solid-surface lavatory basins, toilet partitions with wall and floor materials.

Designers select the Bradley Sinks, Faucet & Soap Dispenser Options and Toilet Partition Materials from the 'Left Margin Menu'.

Several Wall and Flooring Material Options are available with a choice of Camera positions.

2) COLLABORATION Menu

 As designers select product models and materials for review; they need tools to share and obtain feedback from BOTH the Design Team and Facility Owner.

Designers can Download the configured image, Print, Email and/ or Share to Social Media using the Menu in the Lower Right Margin.

3) SPECIFICATION Menu

The Designers' selected products and materials are listed in the upper right corner menu.

Selecting a product in the menu, pops-up a rendered product image with the selected material.

ZOOM the image by 'Rolling' the Mouse Wheel or Use the + / - buttons.

HOLD DOWN the Mouse Pick button to spin a 360 Rendered View of the product.

Since 2009, the Bradley Revit Library has served the visualization needs of architects & interior designers.

'Test Drive' the Bradley Virtual Design Tool

 Share Your Thoughts on What Future Enhancements Would be Helpful to Your Design Efforts.

- Visit the Bradley Virtual Design Tool -

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.

Download 60-page BIM Report:

Dodge Data + Analytics | Managing Risk in the Construction Industry

Impact of Using BIM on Risk

Research by Dodge Data & Analytics has repeatedly demonstrated that use of BIM reduces rework, reduces RFIs and has a positive impact on project cost and schedule, especially when it facilitates the transfer of reliable project information between team members.

Owners, GCs and trade contractors who use BIM or see BIM used on their projects were asked if they agree that the use of BIM decreases risk on projects. In general, over half of respondents agree that BIM reduces risk on their projects.

However, approximately one quarter of owners and one third of contractors also remain neutral on the impact of BIM on risk. Owners currently are most likely to report that using BIM reduces risk. Two thirds of owners (67%) agree that BIM decreases risk on their projects, compared with 57% of GCs and 54% of trade contractors.

Previous SmartMarket Reports have demonstrated owner condence in the impact of BIM on their projects, including the 2015 Measuring the Impact of BIM on Complex Buildings SmartMarket Report.

The SmartMarket surveys always include Case Studies from their findings. Here's an excerpt from a BIM-related Case Study within this report: 

Enhancing Knowledge and Communication (Case Study)

A particular risk identified in the project analysis was the location of the architect and a number of the design team’s engineering consultants outside the region.

To ensure this posed no disadvantage, Gilbane implemented a design assist strategy, retaining a structural and historical consultant in New York to enable all members of the design team to function as effectively as if they themselves worked in the city. Extensive use of BIM facilitated the team’s communication.

Download 60-page BIM Report:

Dodge Data + Analytics | Managing Risk in the Construction Industry

Related BIM Safety Articles

- Revit-BIM Manages Construction Site Assets and Safety -

- Mayo Clinic BIM Manager – Project Model Development Specification (MDS) -

- BIM Process Improving Construction Site Safety | Turner Construction -

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

 - Taking the Mystery Out of BIM for Owners & Principals | CM-BIM Classes -

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.

I authored two articles for an Australian design + construction news site; that demonstrate Revit-BIM Level-Of-Detail (LOD) standards are not very new and how they’re driving business.

Revit-BIM Level-Of-Development (LOD) standards integrated our initial BIM Level-Of-Detail standards; which now has LOD functioning as a lightweight project management tool.

--- Design – Construction Processes Trending BIM-Dependent ---

 LOD is measuring\monitoring the projects'design + construction progress and completion deadlines. LOD is becoming a functional ingredient to Owners' BIM Execution Plans; while improving the model-building communications between project team members.

LOD is demonstrating its potential to measure Return-On-Investment (ROI) for individual Revit and/or BIM processes.

Here are the links to both articles:

Article #1:

Early Level-of-Detail Transitions to BIM Level-of-Development

Article #2:

BIM Level-of-Development (LOD) Driving BIM ROI

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.