Session

Building information modeling (BIM) is the process of creating a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a building. To make the most of BIM, it is essential to adhere to specific Level of Development (LOD) standards.

LOD defines the degree of detail and accuracy required for building information management (BIM) data at various stages of a project. The LOD standard ensures all stakeholders in a project are on the same page regarding the quality and quantity of data and the level of refined information needed for each stage of the project. This standard is essential for creating and sharing BIM data across stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, government agencies, and owners.

The LOD standard has several benefits for construction companies and government agencies. For construction companies, LOD ensures that the project is well-defined, with clearly specified requirements and expectations. It also reduces the risk of errors and rework, as all stakeholders are working from the same data sets and refining the data into applicable information that is specific to their own decision-making processes.

Adopting and communicating consistent LOD standards across stakeholders on a construction project requires a significant investment in technology (digitization of data), training (digitalization of processes), and cultural change (digital transformation). To successfully implement these standards, all stakeholders need to collaborate to establish best practices and guidelines. By ensuring that stakeholders understand the LOD expectations at each stage of a construction project, these projects can save the project owners significant time and money.

Learning objectives:

• What are LOD standards, and what do stakeholders in construction projects do with the information? Why should they care?
• Why is defining the SOW with LOD ownership and clarifications essential to the quality, schedule, scope, duration, materials, and, most importantly, the budget of construction projects?
• Who should be involved in the ownership and commitment of LOD for a construction project - subcontractors, general contractors, owners - and why?
• Case studies from the panel of real-world examples where defining the LOD of specific elements within a model was not communicated at several stages of the construction project, leading to a loss of time and money.