Driver Trett Digest Issue 25 - Flipbook - Page 14
which provides greater clarity on the parties’ positions.
BIM (4D) includes simulation of different schedule
scenarios (as-planned, impacted, updated, as-built) to
demonstrate the cause and effect of events.
BIM (5D) includes cost estimation options, meaning that
the quantification of changed items in a project can be
more easily retrieved.
There exists a need to raise awareness of BIM’s capabilities,
as there is still a lack of understanding of what it is and
what it is capable of. Many people refer only to the first and
last letters of BIM, and assume it merely involves working
in the 3D building model while ignoring the power of the
‘I’ - Information, which is the core of BIM. The richness of
BIM may provide a great way of sharing information and
encourage the development of a high-level collaborative
environment between parties.
KEY CHALLENGES IN USING BIM IN DISPUTE
RESOLUTION
The main challenges to using BIM in dispute resolution are5:
Complexity: BIM can be difficult for experts and lawyers
in arbitration and court procedures to understand,
especially when they have not previously been exposed to
this BIM or 3D modelling.
Model manipulation: BIM models have powerful simulation
capabilities which can tweak the actual causation and the
impact of the delay if they are not used properly, which
may become a reason for the dispute itself.
CONCLUSION
Information is really what BIM is all about.
The construction industry has recognised the potential
benefits of adopting BIM in dispute resolution. If used properly,
BIM’s key benefits include proactive and collaborative dispute
avoidance and dispute resolution, saving time and money and
helping to maintain crucial business relationships.
BIM is undoubtedly an important and exciting development
within the construction industry. However, like any new
process or development in the way we work, BIM introduces
new legal issues, challenges, and risks, which should all be
addressed and overcome so that BIM can be utilised to its
maximum potential.
5. Zohreh Soltani and Stuart Anderson, Ph.D. and Julian Kang,
Ph.D., The Challenges of Using BIM in Construction Dispute
Resolution Process
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