Session

BIM was a significant leap from CAD, which was a leap from T-squares. The next evolution capitalizes on data. People no longer have to be specialists with costly applications to call for an Uber or get turn-by-turn directions.

With a $71B portfolio in 290 locations worldwide, the Department of State (DOS) Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) manages several hundred building projects at a time. This requires extensive standards and requirements, which traditionally have been compiled into a comprehensive document.

OBO started the DOS BIM program with NIBS in 2016. An agile, digital-first strategy makes data and processes more useful for all stakeholders. 2021 was a pivotal year for standards that guide AEs to deliver BIM as an asset for the OBO portfolio lifecycle. Twenty-three percent of the 6,500 pages in the OBO Design Standards are now from data and useful in BIM - 831 space models and 6,626 components are shared with AEs. The same data is used in BIM to design and deliver asset data back to OBO.

Aligning with digital processes improves design and construction quality, maintains project consistency, saves time and effort, and increases the value of historical records for OBO and all stakeholders. The data collaboration strategy is repeatable by other owners!