There seems to be so many different definitions for BIM. It is really hard to say which one is correct, but I personally like this one. Building Information Modeling is a process of generating and managing a building's information through three-dimensional design. It is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. Since these models are supposed to be generating building information, should we consider these BIM models as being Smart? I think so, but just how smart are they. What does it take to make a BIM model Smart? Let’s explore this idea and see what we come up with.

In my opinion there are several keys to building a Smart Model, but the first thing that should occur is planning for the BIM model. All aspects of the design and constructions team should be included in this planning process. This will only help as we try to pack this model full of Smart information. Not only do we have to take into account how the building looks, and how the building is going to perform, but we also have to take into account constructability. After all, BIM takes a team to work properly. Having a construction team on board can add tremendous value to the BIM model for our clients. Not only can we build a smart three dimensional model, but we can plan for the actual constructions of the building making the BIM model a valuable tool.

Once the planning has been done, the design process begins. You should then begin selecting the BIM content that is going to be required to produce a building for your specific client. Remember the more specific the content, the smarter the BIM model becomes. Content is such a key, as all kinds of information can be included in the content, such as, part numbers, assembly codes, URL links, maintenance data and many other types of data. It is my recommendation to get with your client, so that you can make your BIM content as smart as or even smarter than the clients wants or needs.

Selecting the right content to begin building a model with is a must for a Smart model, but how that content is applied makes all the difference in the world. You can have really Smart content by product manufacturers, or specific content built by your firm. I am lucky to be working with some great modelers of content who really understand how to build Smart content. We adjusted our design process to make proper selections of content early on in the design process, so that we are not frantically building or finding content as the design process concludes. Properly applying specific manufacturer content, early in the design process, can help you catch many unforeseen errors or omissions.

Specific content being applied by the Architect or Engineer really brings the added dimension to a BIM model. As we learn more about BIM, the potential is really unlimited. BIM is such a powerful tool, when combined with the brilliant minds of Architect and Engineers, that there is really no reason that we should not be producing Smart BIM models for our clients. One key factor that should not be overshadowed by BIM is the need for the human element of our digital design, because human element determines just how Smart our models really are.

So what does it really take to make a BIM model Smart? Planning and content are major keys to success, but really the major key to making a BIM model Smart, is YOU, the Architect, Engineer or Designer. You hold the key to making the BIM model as Smart as you want it or need it to be. A Smart BIM model can be a very powerful tool, if applied correctly!