WHAT DOES A BIM DO?

Published: May 26, 2025 – The (BIM) Building Information Modeling is a digital process that integrates design, construction, and operation data into a unified 3D model. The system enhances collaboration across disciplines by providing real-time updates and centralized project information. This position improves efficiency, reduces errors, and supports better decision-making throughout a building’s lifecycle.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Building Information Modeling

1. BIM Architect Duties

  • BIM Leadership: Lead the studio's BIM/CAD development and implementation strategy
  • Environment Setup: Develop project-specific CAD/BIM environment setup, systems, standards, and custom content
  • Plan Production: Produce BIM Execution Plans and associated documents
  • QA Management: Manage QA/QC controls for outgoing production BIM/CAD information
  • Workflow Development: Develop cross-application / cross-team workflows
  • Coordination Management: Manage inter-disciplinary technical coordination through model federation, clash detection and issue resolution processes
  • Training Management: Manage the practice's BIM/CAD training documentation and staff training (CPD) program
  • Client Interface: Interface with clients, consultants, and contractors

2. Building Information Modeling Coordinator Details

  • BIM Coordination: Lead BIM Coordination on projects
  • Team Training: Train and support JMA Colleagues on BIM Coordination and best practices
  • Practice Development: Assist in the development and implementation of BIM best practices
  • Plan Implementation: Develop and implement BIM Execution Plans
  • Tech Awareness: Stay up to date on new VDC-related software, services, and hardware
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with colleagues, industry partners, and clients to understand and meet needs through the application of BIM workflows
  • Visualization Support: Assist with the development of and provide visualizations for logistics and phasing plans
  • Navisworks Use: Utilize Navisworks while working with subcontractors to coordinate projects
  • Clash Management: Run “Clash Detection,” organize clashes, and lead subcontractors through clash resolution
  • Model Editing: Create and modify Revit models to fill in model scope gaps

3. Architecture BIM Lead Responsibilities

  • BIM Environment: Establish and coordinate a BIM environment for the integration of architectural designs by others, with engineering models.
  • Plan Compliance: Ensure BIM execution plans are followed to allow for data integrity and availability.
  • Model Coordination: Coordinate BIM modelling (Revit) with high accuracy, precision & efficiency.
  • Content Creation: Create customized Revit content and assist with firm-wide dissemination.
  • Standards Support: Contribute/Assist leadership with firm-wide Revit standards, model management, and technical support to other Revit modelers.
  • Team Collaboration: Collaborate with internal/external team members on project deadlines and workflow milestones.
  • Time Management: Manage and organize personal time to ensure that work is completed with sufficient time for checking.
  • Quality Assurance: Ensure that deliverables meet the deadline and quality standard.
  • Technical Assistance: Technical Assistant for the discipline of engineering and team members.
  • Manager Liaison: Liaise with the direct Manager to provide support on integrating the management team.
  • File Support: Provide support for plotting and electronic file submissions.
  • Drawing Checking: Participate in drawing and checking in accordance with company and technical standards.
  • Coordinator Support: Support other BIM coordinators in the company.
  • Issue Resolution: Assist in resolving BIM design issues.

4. BIM Manager Job Summary

  • Protocol Development: Develop, implement and maintain BIM protocol
  • Team Training: Provide training and technical support for the team in both individual and group settings
  • Quality Assurance: Ensure continuing quality assurance and adherence to BIM plans and modeling and information standards
  • Application Setup: Provide setup, configuration and customization of standard design and production applications
  • Standards Maintenance: Maintain and update current standards, documentation, templates and content
  • Design Contribution: Contribute to design discussions, design work and technical solutions
  • Troubleshooting Support: Handle customization, troubleshooting and testing

5. Building Information Modeling (BIM) Modeler Functions

  • Model Design: Design and coordinate plumbing and mechanical 3D models using REVIT.
  • Standards Compliance: Ensure drawings and designs adhere to specifications, code requirements, and standards.
  • Drawing Development: Develop fabrication drawings.
  • Clash Detection: Perform clash detection using Navisworks and BIM 360 Glue.
  • Meeting Attendance: Attend project meetings.
  • Model Coordination: Perform building modeling and coordination.
  • Workflow Understanding: Understand the workflow in a REVIT central model.
  • Decision Evaluation: Evaluate best approach and decisions regarding drawings and input interpretation.

6. BIM Specialist Job Description

  • Staff Support: Provide exceptional support to internal staff across 7 offices, ensuring an overall high level of customer satisfaction on an ongoing basis.
  • Tech Troubleshooting: Support technical design staff and troubleshoot technical Design Technology platform problems.
  • Orientation Delivery: Conduct the Information Technology portion of New Hire Orientation.
  • User Support: Provide end-user support for CAD/BIM software-related technologies.
  • Library Management: Create and/or update CAD and BIM Library Content.
  • Vendor Liaison: Contact software vendors for support.
  • Ticket Management: Use helpdesk software to create and update incident tickets.
  • Issue Documentation: Document all relevant details.
  • Call Response: Respond to all calls and requests within business hours.
  • Status Communication: Ensure internal staff are kept informed regarding the status of any outstanding issues they have placed with the IT helpdesk.
  • Software Learning: Learn new software packages.
  • Problem Escalation: Escalate problems and work on new projects.

7. Building Information Modeling Technician Overview

  • Manager Reporting: Report to the BIM Manager.
  • Team Participation: Be part of the dynamic BIM Department.
  • Model Development: Develop BIM Models (CSA & MEP).
  • Management Communication: Communicate with management on BIM project deliverables.
  • Plan Compliance: Ensure that models are developed in line with the Project's BIM Execution Plan.
  • Model Analysis: Interrogate BIM Models and perform spatial analysis on the project model.
  • Protocol Adherence: Ensure models/documentation is developed in line with company BIM protocols and procedures.
  • Design Coordination: Coordination of design with other services, structure and architectural model etc.
  • Clash Reporting: Carry out clash detection/avoidance reports.
Relevant Information
What Does A BIM Manager Do?
What Does A BIM Coordinator Do?