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"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. 

How many "easy questions" do BIM Managers receive from their staff; that can be answered with a simple 1-2 sentence answer?

These questions provide BIM Managers with "Teachable Moments" for their staff or "Moments of Learning" for both staff and the BIM Manager.

I can assure you --staff members will be back to ask the same questions for future projects. New staff  members will have the same questions or variations of similar situations.

Repetition is how we ALL learn.

So, if "Time is Money"; you can't afford to waste the time of your staff, the project, the company and/or your own daily schedule.

Proactively building a Revit video library of short 2-4 minute support and training videos; will help save everyone's time.

Create videos to answer common process-based questions. It puts the BIM Manager in control of their time; while delivering on-demand self-learning & technical support.

For camera-shy BIM Managers, you don't need to use cameras or be on camera.

Since 2008, I've used the screen recording software, Camtasia Studio and SnagIt from TechSmith for creating my Revit technical support and training videos.

Camtasia records your mouse movements on your computer screen; while you are using a feature or performing a process in the application software (Revit, Excel, AutoCAD).

It also records your voice as you explain and train on a short procedure.

Once you complete the recording, save the recorded screen-capture to a Camtasia project file.

Next, select the "Produce and Share" command to create a video file in Windows (AVI\WMV) or MAC (MP4) video formats. Consider the following tips and procedures to use, store and protoect your video content.

Bradley BIM Learning Academy 2016 FREE, Rep-Sponsored BIM Manager Lunch-N-Learn Webinar Series --for Revit-BIM & VDC Management Teams.

1. Lunch-N-Learn Webinars are being offered in the US and Canada.

2. Lunch will be provided by your local participating Bradley Rep Organization.

3. Lunch-N-Learns are typically planned for the third Wednesday (Eastern & Mountain), and Thursday ( Central & Pacific) of each month.

4. They will be conducted from Noon to 1:00 for each of the 4 time zones.

5. Client to provide meeting room, computer with cabled broadband internet connection, video projector+screen or HDTV and audio speakers for VOIP connection.

6. *35-minute BIM Lunch-N-Learn (webinar format) followed by a short hosting Rep Agency introduction + Bradley product demonstration.

7. Lunch-N-Learn attendance will be limited to a maximum of 12 client attendees, unless approved by the hosting Bradley Rep Agency.

8. Initially, conducting a Lunch-N-Learn webinar is contingent on availability of a participating Bradley Rep Agency; Plumbing Fixtures or Washroom Accessories.

Since 2012, more than 2,000 professionals (architects, engineers, contractors & facility owners) have attended Bradley BIM Learning Events.