There are owners who are demanding Revit-only projects, and many companies are feeling increasing pressure to switch from CAD to Autodesk Revit now.
If you talk to anyone who has been involved in the transition to building information modeling processes (BIM) – from CAD software to Revit software – they will confirm that it involves a big learning curve. The longer your company has been using CAD, the bigger the impact will be to your processes.
As with many software implementations, when there are difficulties and issues, the tendency is usually to blame the tool. That reaction arises from frustration. Examples are when things in the model get moved or deleted in error, attempting a pilot project that is too large and complicated, or bouncing back and forth from Revit to AutoCAD for detailing.
With a well-pondered plan, as the users become proficient over time, it becomes evident that issues are less often the fault of the tool and more often a case of user error. As your team works through issues, your implementation efforts will gain momentum and significance. Gleaning the benefits of the tool makes the entire process less frustrating and less strenuous.
The software implementation curve is something companies need to plan ahead for. Adding a new software tool does not result in a magical transformation of your processes. There is a journey involved, and it takes time to get comfortable with not only the software but also the new workflows. In addition to learning a new technology, with BIM the users are required to learn a different way of thinking about your processes as well.
When you are adopting technology and adjusting your workflow, it is critical to have a plan in place to build out the implementation. It will take time to get the tool and the resulting workflow to function properly so you can address the problem you originally set out to solve.
As in the case of many tools, Revit may not fill every specific need your company has. Since each company has things that make it unique, you may end up needing one or more third-party applications to optimize your individual workflows. It’s important to evaluate add-ons for need and effectiveness. Using too many add-ons can complicate a workflow and add frustration. The applications you use should communicate with each other without time-consuming workarounds. That includes your company’s project management applications. Try to consolidate applications any time you see the opportunity.
The evolution of a BIM workflow within your company using Revit will involve investments of time and money. It helps to get advice from other companies who have gone through the process or partner with a company you can trust for advice and consulting. An implementation support team is important. Cooperation and collaboration can accomplish much more than bringing together separate efforts.
Innovation is an opportunity. Be aware of the workflows where you can leverage it.
Tune in to episode 118 of Bridging the Gap Podcast to hear some sage advice about innovation and the transition to Revit from Mark Lamberson.
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