What's the Real Risk if We Don't Use BIM?

"Are we operating on the leading edge or the bleeding edge?” is a consistent risk question many firms ask as they evaluate the use of BIM within their organization. Justifiably, the firm's reputation and the branding of the firm's design talent may be at risk with any new process.

So when this article came in today, it seemed refreshing to have a legal view on the "perceived" and "real" issues regarding risk mitigation and liability issues for the use of BIM.

Mr. Lowe, attorney-at-law provides some insightful and positive counterpoints that asks; "what's the risk if BIM is not used?" He is a construction lawyer in the Philadelphia office of Duane Morris LLP, is also chair of AGC's PIAC BIM Forum Legal Subcommittee and an active member of AGC's Contract Documents Committee.

His opening comments (points) set the stage for an enlightening article which features work from Mortenson Construction and Turner Construction projects that utilized BIM.

A 3D model offers more specific design information than 2D drawings. Given that the world is 3D and not 2D, how can that additional specificity be a bad thing for project liability?

Most of those skeptics don't realize that the risks are no greater (and sometimes smaller) in the 3D world than in the traditional 2D world.

First, the 2D world is hardly free from risk. Decades worth of construction litigation has proven this point.

....as a practical matter, the use of 3D modeling fosters a broader collaborative effort, especially when the contractor is invited into the process early. Design reviews and clash-review meetings bring everyone into the same room, working to solve a problem. This significantly reduces everyone's risk.

Buckling Up Risks

The construction community and its insurers should embrace 3D modeling to further reduce risk on complex projects.

Web site: http://www.duanemorris.com/