So I was not going to submit to present this year, even though I have for the past several years and honestly enjoy presenting at the CSI National Convention. It just seemed to be one more commitment that tends to stretch me beyond my comfort zone. I had the excuse of moving across the country this year. I started a new job. But when Cindy emailed me, telling me that they would love for me to speak again and that my class had the highest rating (she knew how to make me feel important), every reason why not just sounded like excuses. I am not a man of excuses, but I really would like an excuse to see Baltimore though. CSI knows we as the BIM Guy, so the category is going to be BIM. I wanted to think of a topic that would be interesting to me, if I were looking to attend. I am a tough critique. It would need to be controversial as well. I asked Cindy for an earlier time slot if possible so that there might be continued debate during the conference. I also thought it would be better (and different) to co-present. So I asked a fellow industry colleague if he would like to join me. Mark Green, from Old Castle agreed. Now, the topic. It is no argument that BIM is the industry standard and if you are still thinking about it, you were also the group that thought computers were a fad, we can’t help you. But what is the future of BIM, where is the challenge, where is the controversy?
Model based delivery was the first thing that came to mind. When will we honestly start delivering fully intelligent models and stop printing drawings. I see some history slides in my future. Master builders use to deliver physical models and detail mock ups. When did we move to plans and sections? Has it hurt the industry? Maybe that is another class?
What are other industries doing? What are the liability questions? Are we standing in our own way? How can we improve the building process? Design to fabrication? Could owners use a model? Do they even want the drawings? When will paper die and we as design professions deliver a real BIM deliverable? What would (could) it look like? Mark has a unique perspective coming from the material, product, and fabrication side of the industry.
We might not find all the answers, but maybe we start asking the right questions. What should we be teaching in school? What should the software do? What do the lawyers need to figure out with insurance providers? Is the industry ready…at least some of us are.