LEVELS OF BIM

BIM is not just about software(s), BIM is a process...

Every process has a sequence, and BIM is not an exception. One can never discuss about BIM without reference to the levels of maturity and their significance. The picture above is a simpler version of the "wedge", (picture below) created by Mark Bew and Mervyn Richards, which basically helps stakeholders to identify the objectives of a BIM implementation process and the competencies required and is being offered. It is not to be mistaken with the regular BIM terminologies such as 2D,3D,4D & 5D. For better understanding, each levels are defined below;

Level 0: unmanaged computer aided drawings.

This is the foundation of any BIM implementation, it involves the migration from producing design information by hand to the creation of 2D drawings through CAD (Computer Aided Design). At this stage, there is 0 collaboration and information at the level is shared through printed papers or electronically through pdf. This is the most widely attained level of BIM and basically any firm that utilizes CAD for their production is at this level.

Level 1:

Level 1 takes a step further from "unmanaged CAD" like we had in level 0 to actually "managed CAD". This level basically combines 2D and 3D drawings, however with little collaborations among the project team. CAD standards are managed to accordance with BS1192:2007, information at this level is shared electronically by a Common Data Environment CDE. Many firms are at this level and the standard structure required to operate at this level actually sets the steps for climbing to BIM level two.

Level 2:

Upgrading to this level simply can be described as developing building information with attached data, in a collaborative 3D environment by the different disciplines stakeholders. However, each party does so on their independent models. The most important aspect of this level comes in the form of how the information is exchanged between stakeholders. Design information is shared through a common file format, which enables any organization to be able to combine that data with their own in order to make a federated BIM model, and to carry out checks for errors on it. Thus, each part must use a CAD software capable of exporting models into one of the common file formats such as IFC (Industry Foundation Class).

Level 3:

Now, level 3, one ring to rule them all, popular dubbed as the "Holy Grail" in BIM. It involves a collaborative single online model which incorporates all the known dimensions of BIM i.e stipulates the cost, time and lifecycle of a project.

The short falling of level 2 was the inability to have an integrated arrangement in leveraging BIM data, but with BIM level 3, complete synergy is enabled through a single, shared project model saved into a central repository (normally in the cloud). This means that All parties can access and modify that same model, and the benefit is that it removes the final layer of risk for conflicting information. 

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