ITcon Vol. 22, pg. 185-203, http://www.itcon.org/2017/10

A review of specialist role definitions in BIM guides and standards

submitted:June 2017
revised:September 2017
published:October 2017
editor(s):Kumar B.
authors:Kathryn Davies
PhD Candidate, School of Architecture and Planning,
University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
Email: kdav035@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Suzanne Wilkinson
Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
Email: swilkinson@auckland.ac.nz

Dermott McMeel
Lecturer, School of Architecture and Planning,
University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
Email: d.mcmeel@auckland.ac.nz
summary:Many handbooks and guides have been developed to assist with the adoption and implementation of BIM for organizations and projects. This paper examines the ways in which roles and responsibilities of BIM specialists are defined across an international selection of 36 of these documents. The purposes of BIM guides are examined and categorized, and the expertise and intentions of their developers are considered. The number and variety of guides and standards available raises concern, as findings suggest that while BIM practice generally is becoming more standardized, BIM specialist roles may be developing in an uncoordinated manner, even when companies and individuals consider themselves to be following best practice guidance. Specific shortcomings identified include a lack of definition of client-side roles in the BIM process, the inclusion of organisational BIM roles and activities in project-level guides and standards, and overlapping use of similar role titles to describe different functions within BIM project teams. The use of BIM guides to define project and organizational roles requires further attention in the wider professional context of BIM implementation and practice, in order to strengthen BIM practice and reduce ambiguity and uncertainty.
keywords:BIM specialist, professional practice, guidelines, handbooks, professional roles
full text: (PDF file, 0.844 MB)
citation:Davies K, Wilkinson S, McMeel D (2017). A review of specialist role definitions in BIM guides and standards, ITcon Vol. 22, pg. 185-203, https://www.itcon.org/2017/10