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.

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 Blank Revit Screen Can Be Challenging for New Revit Users Once They Leave Class

Below, are common training experiences, that owners and BIM managers have shared with me; after they sent their staff to Revit 101 Basics Training.

We sent our staff to 3-days of basic, Revit 101 training and when our staff returned; they

• couldn't start a Revit project from a Revit template.

• didn't know how to load a Revit family from a folder.

• weren't sure how to print Revit Views & Sheets

• created TEXT for a room name; without realizing how to insert a Revit Room Tag.

• understood only a few options for creating & editing dimensions.

• lacked basic competency for using placing views & sheet layout process.

• weren't sure how to create Drafting Views or loading of Drafting Family Components.

• couldn't edit Revit wall placement or components by editing Revit dimension values.

• were unable to start or setup a basic Revit schedule.

• could place lights, but couldn't start or edit a custom reflected ceiling boundary

• had little experience with basic editing commands (copy, mirror, offset, align, rotate)

• felt the instructor was very Revit knowledgeable; however the training process did not deliver the results of self reliance.

Stop and consider these points when you interview the Revit consultant, trainer or training company that will deliver your Revit 101 training processes.

My Sourcceable.net BIM article features a creative, business development strategy for any firm to transition from AutoCAD to Revit. More than 15% of my clients initiated and completed this lower-cost Revit implementation strategy; that spans one year.

This process minimizes the initial staff training costs and non-billable time. It positively engages the owner- executive team as we utilize existing software inventory --while limiting the new equipment investment.

--- Key to Lowering BIM Software and Implementation Costs ---

The process features a "Plan B" -- for if or when the initial Revit team is feeling overwhelmed by a tight schedule and can't complete the project in Revit.

Join us at the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) - Baltimore Chapter Meeting on Wednesday Evening, February 27, 2013.

Bradley Corporation and Miron Construction have been invited to provide 3 Revit classes for the Spring 2013 semester students. Here are the current classes dates and topics:

Daniel Hughes, Bradley Corporation BIM Strategist will be co-teaching an Advanced Revit Family Class at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee - School of Architecture and Urban Design on November 16th.

Dan Bayer, Director of Virtual Construction for Miron Construction (Neenah WI) invited me to co-teach a Revit Family class with him for the UWM Architectural Program students. We will use the standards, procedures and Revit models developed for the Bradley Revit Family Library (1000 families); for teaching our Revit Family Class."

Professional History

"Over the last decade, I've

• consulted with Dan Bayer (then CAD Manager) as his Autodesk software installation & training consultant,
• served with him in the Autodesk Reseller/Consultant Channel and
• collaborated with him as my firm's BIM Manager; for projects where Miron Construction served as our BIM-based General Contractor."

Scope of Class

We'll teach (hands-on) the technical aspects (Best Practices) of building Revit families.

Our class will share the collaboration value; when designer, contractor and manufacturer are partnered from design through construction to provide the shared BIM benefits realized by a facility owner to manage the facility.

http://youtu.be/VtWIzCcTo5I

Related Article(s)

• Bradley Sponsors UWM School of Architecture and Urban Design Competition

• Bradley BIM Strategist Daniel Hughes Speaker for Ecobuild 2012 – National BIM Conference

Download the single-page Bradley Revit Resource Links | Reference Guide to take full advantage of ALL the Bradley BIM online resources.

The Bradley Revit Family Link Guide helps architects, engineers, contractors, facility owners easily find the key online Bradley BIM resource links.

• Download Bradley BIM Revit Library Resource Links Handout

Visit the Bradley Product pages from which the Bradley Revit Family Library was built.

Related Articles

• Bradley BIM Initiative | 3 Years Serving Architects-Engineers-Contractors-Facility Owners
• 1000 Bradley Revit Families + 90 Years of Global Project Installations
• Download Bradley Revit Family Library From Autodesk Seek Building Product Manufacturer Revit Library
• Daniel Hughes – New Corporate BIM Strategist for Bradley Corporation

Rick France | Revit Trainer-Consultant| Hagerman & Co - Atlanta, GA

"I have my Revit students create an office building in Revit. I use the Bradley Revit Toilet Partition Stalls to show my design and construction professionals how to download a Revit family from the Autodesk Seek Revit Family Manufacturer Library into their office layout.

They can see how Autodesk Seek works...and its an example of a pretty cool Revit Family...it shows them what they can do with Revit Families at some point in their future projects."

Rick called Bradley with Revit questions regarding the Bradley Revit toilet partitions. I asked him for his email address for our client care records. I recognized his email address belonged to an Autodesk Reseller-Consultant.

I asked Rick how he, as an Autodesk Revit Reseller-Consultant was using the Bradley Revit Family Library. He then shared the "short story" (above) of his training process.

Thanks for sharing your Revit training story Rick. I've provided several links to Hagerman's corporate website and Rick's Atlanta GA office web page for your review.

Hagerman & Company Inc Website

Rick France | Professional Bio and Credentials

Recipient of the Autodesk 2008 Americas ATC Instructor of the Year Award for North and Latin America.

• 6 Years Experience as an AEC and MFG Solutions Engineer with an Autodesk Reseller.

• 24 Years Experience in Design & CAD Supervision, Training, and Development; Networking, Installation and MIS / IT Management; Web Design, Development, Hosting and Integration.

• 32 Years of Experience as a Designer/Drafter in Process Plants, Mechanical, Piping, Electrical, Structural, Architectural, Facilities and Electro-Mechanical,.

• Autodesk Partner Services Certified. Training and Support with the following Autodesk Products: AutoCAD (ACAD), AutoCAD Plant 3D and P&ID, Inventor, ACAD Mechanical (AM/MDT), ACAD Electrical (ACE), ACAD MEP (AMEP/ABS), ACAD Architecture (ACA/ADT), Revit MEP, Revit Architecture and FM Desktop.

• Subject Matter Expert (SME) for 2008 & 2009 AMEP Autodesk Official Training Courseware (AOTC). Customizing and Automating; Database Integration; Programming; AutoLISP and VBA; Script & Shape Files; Macro's; Menu Development; Networking; Scanning; Supervision.

Related Article

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