Do I Really Need An Information Manager? | The B1M

Is it really necessary to have an Information Manager when working in a building information modelling (BIM) environment? Find out in this short video with Fred Mills, Co-Founder of The B1M. “The short answer is yes, but it doesn’t need to be a new appointment to your team” explains Fred. BIM demands a high degree of control and integrity around how data is created, organised and shared both within companies and within the project teams that they work for. The Information Manager (sometimes known as the “BIM Manager”) is responsible for managing that process. The role includes establishing and managing the common data environment (CDE) – a shared online space that everyone in the project has access to – and overseeing the process of information management and exchange between all parties. “It’s important to understand that the Information Manager isn’t the person that is designated ‘to do BIM’ for you” explains Fred. “BIM is a culture and a way of working that affects everybody, in all parts of an organisation. Information Managers ensure that information exchange and collaborative working are facilitated in the project process”. In the United Kingdom (UK), the need to appoint an Information Manager is made explicitly clear in the BIM protocol and the wider suite of British Government guidance documents. Those documents also make it clear that the role should be undertaken by an existing person within the project team; such as the Design Team Leader or the Main Contractor’s Design Manager. On a point of personal opinion, Fred explains that he doesn’t see a role for stand-alone BIM Managers who look after things like software platforms, in-house product libraries, training or project support: “Those who disagree are completely entitled to their view, but for me those things are essentially part of IT, the design management function or something for designated BIM Champions; people who are well placed within your organisation to assist and help with BIM implementation in the early stages, alongside their current role”. He goes on to recognise that for very large businesses, organisations at the very start of their implementation journey or on large projects, the business case for those stand-alone roles certainly does exist. Numerous courses and workshops exist specifically for Information Managers and Fred points out that these can be very useful for organisations or individuals adopting a more disciplined approach to information flow: “It’s a big, cultural step for many organisations and training and guidance are always worthwhile”. You can find out more about the role of Information Managers (or BIM Managers) from the UK Government’s BIM Task Group here: http://www.bimtaskgroup.org/scope-of-services-for-information-management/ For more BIM videos subscribe now - http://ow.ly/GxW7y The B1M is the definitive video resource for building information modelling (BIM). We want to inspire a million people through our videos to help mobilise BIM adoption around the world. View this video and more at http://www.TheB1M.com Follow us on Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/TheB1M Like us on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/TheB1M Follow us on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-... B1M pictures on - http://instagram.com/theb1m/ We welcome you sharing our content to inspire others, but please be nice and play by our rules: http://www.theb1m.com/guidelines-for-sharing Our content may only be embedded onto third party websites by arrangement. We have established partnerships with domains to share our content and help it reach a wider audience. If you are interested in partnering with us please contact Enquiries@TheB1M.com. Ripping and/or editing this video is illegal and will result in legal action. © 2015 The B1M Limited | Share + Inspire