The AEC sector is buzzing with much attention on BIM. Of course, it is well deserved because of the many opportunities and benefits it offers for the design and construction sector. BIM enhances building projects using a model virtual environment where the entire process of a construction project is planned and foreseen before the actual project begins. 

This article will focus on the BIM maturity levels, to track how much the BIM technology has evolved and developed with a predefined criteria.

What are BIM Maturity Levels? 

BIM maturity levels refer to levels of maturity of the technology in relation to the ability of the construction supply chain to operate and share information. The term expresses the progress of the technology in the AEC sector measured by the degree of collaboration and information exchange between the different team players involved in a project. 

This progression begins from the level that involves no collaboration among stakeholders to carry out the projects activities, to the most complex level where information exchange is highly defined and seamless, and which involves the use of cloud platforms and BIM models. 

As companies and organizations mature and expand, they also advance in the level of BIM they use. Most companies can only operate at Level 1

Levels Of BIM Maturity 

There are four recognized BIM maturity levels as introduced by PAS 1192. These are:

Level 0 - Involves minimal or zero collaboration and 2D CAD software.

Level 1 - Involves partial collaboration and uses 3D CAD software

Level 2 - Involves full collaboration and uses 3D. 

Level 3 - Involves full integration

Let's take an in-depth overview of these levels. 

BIM Level 0 (Zero Collaboration) 

This is the easiest and least complicated step of the information generation procedure. There is no collaboration involved here. Information exchange in this level is done with non-interoperable, paper-based documents. It makes use of CAD drawings, however, these are not shared. 

BIM Level 1 (Partial Collaboration) 

Next after the Level 0, this level follows. Here, information is generated in 2D and non-federated 3D models, a progression from the CAD information. Also it utilizes a Common Data Environment (CDE), an online shared repository that aids in collecting and managing information on the project. Lots of companies and studios primarily utilize this level of information sharing. 

BIM Level 2 (Full Collaboration) 

This level is particularly concerned with the manner and method by which the information is exchanged between the project's team players.

Time management, budget calculation, 4D and 5D are the major features of this level. Again, collaboration is at the epicenter of this level, however, all stakeholders need not  operate on the same CAD 3D models. Rather, each stakeholder could use a separate CAD model in a common file type containing all the designing information. However, whatever CAD software each person uses should be exported in common file types such as IFC, COBie, etc. 

Thus, every team player can have access to all the available information on the project and modify where necessary. This permits full collaboration among the many parts of the project and create a unified BIM model containing the specific characteristics of every discipline of designing. 

BIM Level 3 (Full Integration) 

This is the final step and the ideal for the construction sector. At this level, what is utmost importance is getting a full integration of information in a cloud-based environment. This is done using a common shared model accessible to all team players in the players, who can either add or modify their information. The model in this level is always in IFC format and can be shared and stored in a cloud where all stakehokders can assess the same information. The team members compare the effects of the single action on the model in real time. It is also useful to discover the supporting infrastructure needed at every level of capability. In this way, everything about the building project life cycle, from its design to the actual construction can be properly planned and managed.

BIM MATURITY LEVELS VS BIM DIMENSIONS

There is a bit of confusion as to these two terms, and oftentimes people tend to think the two are the same or simply juxtapose their meanings. Here, we will briefly compare BIM maturity levels with BIM dimensions. 

While BIM dimensions refer to all aspects and information utilized in the process of digitizing a construction project, BIM maturity levels refer to the different levels of BIM maturity with regards to how information is exchanged between stakeholders in a construction project. 

BIM dimensions refer to the type of information that can become available throughout the project, and are present in BIM levels 1, 2 and 3. 

The most common BIM dimension is the three-dimensional(3D) modeling, however there are others. Here's a list of BIM dimensions and uses;

3D - these are three-dimensional generated drawings. 

4D - Used for time management and analysis of time required to complete the project. 

5D - Concerned with data for the cost analysis of the project. 

6D - Utilized for assessment of the sustainability of the building in the course of its life cycle. 

7D - Used for facility management. 

However, in addition to these standard dimensions, there has been much controversy and argument on the new dimensions which were recently added. These dimensions are:

8D - concerned with safety in the design and construction phase 

9D - used for lean construction 

Each of these dimensions are found within a BIM Maturity Level 2 and Level 3

The BIM maturity levels are a necessary tool to track the progression of the BIM technology and how much collaboration is needed in each level. Although many companies have not attained the ideal level 3, it is the future of the AEC industry. 

Got any building project you need professionals for? Let's help you get started on it! You can speak with our professionals at JPC Design Consortium to get you started on your project today. With our firm handle on BIM, you can be sure to get the best results. We also give free consultation services just in case you need some more information for your project. Contact us right away.