Integrated Project Delivery and Building Information Modeling have similar roots in that both have emerged largely as a result of the dissatisfaction of many clients of those in the design and construction industry with the perceived inefficiencies associated with the traditional methods available to deliver a project. Integrated Project Delivery (“IPD”) and Building Information Modeling (“BIM”) have been proposed to address and resolve the perceived inefficiencies in the construction industry.
IPD is a project delivery approach that seeks to integrate people, systems, business structures and practices into a single process and collaboratively harness the talents and insights of all participants on a particular construction project in order to optimize project results, increase value to the owner, reduce waste, and maximize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication, and construction. IPD envisions drawing upon the knowledge and expertise of all key project team members shortly after project conception to expand the value they provide throughout the project lifecycle. For example, the early design phases of IPD envision assembling input from the contractor, installers, fabricators, suppliers and design consultants so as to anticipate and resolve design-related issues prior to the construction phase.
The component of IPD that allows the team to fully take advantage of the benefits of the early collaboration of project participants is technology. Specifically, BIM has been referred to as the “perfect” platform for the collaboration required in IPD. A BIM is a digital representation of the building process used to facilitate the exchange of information in a digital format. The technology used in BIM creates a 3D, 4D and 5D model of a construction project. 4D refers to the implementation of time and scheduling information in the model, while 5D refers to the integration of cost. BIM covers geometry, spatial relationships, geographic information, quantities and properties of building components and can be used to demonstrate the entire building lifecycle including the processes of construction and facility operation.
Attorneys at Drewry Simmons Vornehm, LLP have extensive experience with IPD and BIM and frequently present on their respective roles in the future of the construction industry and how the standard form contracts address BIM and IPD.
