BIM in Practice - 11/05/2010

As part of the effort in Digital Convergence to establish a framework for digitizing and spreading standards in the Danish construction sector we have turned our focus to the potential in a broad implementation of Building Information Modeling, BIM. A joint approach by the companies behind Digital Conversion will make the creation of value possible throughout the building process, across all involved parties.

We see a need for an operational and practical approach to using BIM. In this connection we consider Information Delivery Manual (IDM) a potential instrument to implement BIM in the business processes and the IT systems – to the benefit of all involved.

The concept of IDM has been developed by buildingSMART. IDM includes a structured method for describing in detail the need for exchanging information between parties by means of a building information model.




At first, we will select, adapt and try out existing IDMs in practice using our own building projects – focusing on the most value-adding processes. Against our background of experiences we plan to implement and communicate the results in the form of a scenario. In addition we will identify those process areas, where IDMs are missing for use in actual practice.

Over the longer term a classification standard (e.g. Danish Building Classification, DBK) will be part of an IDM. We, therefore, see an opportunity to connect our work with the results of the Knowledge Centre (the Danish “Videncenter for digitalisering og effektivisering i byggeriet”, being established during the second half of 2010) from their work with further developing DBK. In this way we hope to increase the value to the entire construction sector.

We are aware that Norway and USA are further ahead within this area, and that the Palaces and Properties Agency (the Danish “Slots- og Ejendomsstyrelsen”) has worked on developing an IDM. Therefore, we will take our starting point utilizing existing work on the subject, as well as work together with buildingSMART.

It is our hope that the results will be widely applicable in the construction sector and that they will encour-age co-operation both nationally and internationally.