BuildingSP is working on very exciting process improvements in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) space for building information modeling (BIM). I want to give you a view of what we’re working on and how we intend to change construction.
In the last several months, we’ve developed and released ClashMEP, a dynamic clash detection tool for the Autodesk Revit platform. ClashMEP differentiates itself from other clash detection tools in the following ways:
- Real-time. ClashMEP works as the user models, so feedback on clashes is real-time.
- Meta-data. Integration of clash detection at the modeling level increases available meta-data associated with a clash instance.
- Connected. Various types of Revit file sharing, like Collaboration for Revit (C4R), allow for immediate model updates and clash collaboration.
We are not done yet with our work on real-time clash detection. The greater opportunity is to leverage ClashMEP’s differentiators and create a new platform for clash detection that aggregates clashes across the whole project, in real-time.
Here are what we see as the unique capabilities of this new platform:
- Automatically Generate Clash Tracking. As soon as a clash is created, the clash can be tracked in the system. This changes clash management from a milestone-based system to one of a “clash ledger.” Clashes are continuously tracked and managed rather than reported in batches.
- Enhanced Accountability. Using meta-data from the modeling environment, we can more actively manage the clash process. The following information would be known for each clash:
- The date and time the clash was created.
- The name of the modeler who generated the clash.
- The name of the modeler responsible for the other system.
- The systems involved in the clash.
- The files that were in use when the clash was generated.
- Deeper Metrics. Measuring progress and open issues gives a high-level view of current conditions. Many management methodologies (lean, agile, scrum) rely on metrics to determine progress along complex tasks. A ClashMEP-enabled clash tracker would provide metrics that are deeper, richer, and at a higher granularity than a tracker based on a milestone / batch paradigm.
- Automatically Close a Clash Issue. Just like a clash can be opened as an issue when it is generated, a clash can be flagged as resolved when it is no longer a clash. Current clash management solutions rely on manual closing of issues, which creates an additional lag in the metrics as well as additional time. A ClashMEP-enabled clash tracker eliminates the manual input of closure and provides better metrics.
We’re very excited about moving ClashMEP from where it is today and really changing the workflow. In AEC, we need a continuous process for management of our models, not the old paradigm of meeting-based clash coordination. All current users of ClashMEP get access to our new platform and we’re very near to announcing a release date. Get in contact with us so we can talk about your projects and how we change your BIM workflow.
