Developing the Standard Operating Procedures of BIM Collaboration Management for

General Contractor
Hui-Hsuan Yang1 and Yu-Cheng Lin2

1) PhD Student, Department of Civil Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan. Email:
a01060626@gmail.com
2) Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan. Email:
yclin@ntut.edu.tw

Abstract:
To improve communication and coordination between all stakeholders, general contractors utilize Building
Information Modeling (BIM) technology during the construction phase. Furthermore, the major work of BIM
model development is often using the way of collaborative work. The information and correctness of BIM model
development is very important for BIM project. Without the effective and suitable management approach, it is
easy to cause rework and mistakes regarding to the collaboration development of BIM models. Those problems
include rework, schedule delay, and low quality of BIM model development. In order to enhance the
effectiveness and qualities of BIM Model development, this study develops the frameworks and standard
operating procedures of BIM collaboration management special for general contractor (GC). Furthermore, the
proposed frameworks and standard operating procedures are applied to a building project case in Taiwan to
verify its efficacy and demonstrate its effectiveness of the collaboration development of BIM models. Finally,
this paper summaries the limitations, difficulties, suggestion for further practical implementation.

Keywords: BIM, building information modeling, collaboration management, general contractor, standard
operating procedures

1. INTRODUCTION
In recent years, general contractors apply Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology in the construction
engineering to improve communication and coordination between all stakeholders. General contractor (GC)
needs to develop and revise BIM model during the construction phase. Therefore, the primary task of using of
BIM technology is BIM model development that is often use the way of collaborative work. The information and
correctness of BIM model is very important for BIM project, without the effective and suitable management
approach, it is easy to cause rework and mistakes by the collaboration development of BIM model. Those
problems include rework, schedule delay, and low quality of BIM model development. In the past, General
contractor (also often rely on clash detection software or model checking software to check the problems of BIM
model after BIM model development is finished, this time, the BIM model may have some serious problems, and
affect subsequent work and on-site construction progress. Therefore, to make the BIM modeling work smoothly
and reducing the problems of model, GC should to plan the standard operating procedures before the BIM model
development, to enhance the effectiveness and quality of BIM Model development. Because each BIM project’s
size and degree of application are different, the development of standards and specifications, necessary
manpower, and collaborative modeling approach to each model will be different. Therefore, this paper will
develop BIM modeling CM approach, and standard operating procedures for BIM models development. The
purposes of this study are as follows: 1.To develop a collaboration management standard operating procedures
for BIM models for general contractors, and to ensure possibility of management of checks on the model that
will ensure accuracy and quality. 2. To discuss the benefits of the BIM collaboration management system in a
real case study.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW
In recent years, BIM has increasingly been used in the construction industry and international construction
projects and, as many of the files in a project require synchronous execution, the importance of collaboration
work has increased. Shelbourn et al. (2007) pointed out collaborative working is a creative process undertaken
by two or more individuals, sharing their collective skills, expertise, understanding and knowledge (information)
in an atmosphere of openness, honesty, trust and mutual respect, to jointly deliver the best solution that meets
their common goal.
Established collaboration practices in the construction industry are document centric and are challenged by the
introduction of BIM. Document management collaboration systems have significantly improved document
collaboration practices in recent years; however, their capabilities for model collaboration are limited and do not
support the complex requirements of BIM collaboration (Shafiq et al., 2013). Zada et al. (2014) identified that
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changes and modifications are inevitable, even in the contemporary BIM approach in the building design process,
and developing a collaborative BIM platform is essential to keep track of the changes and ensure that designers
have an up-to-date version of the BIM model. Munkley et al. (2014) pointed out that much of the research on
BIM technologies and processes has focused on BIM file-based collaboration in recent years and proposed a low
cost IT platform to execute BIM model-based collaboration. Kassem et al. (2014) proposed protocols for BIM
collaborative design that can be utilized at the project level by an entire supply chain of lead architects,
engineering consultants, clients, and contractors to increase the efficiency and consistency of information flow
and BIM deliverables. Das et al. (2014) presented a distributed cloud-based BIM framework that was designed
to support collaboration and information sharing among project participants. Chen et al. (2014) proposed a
system to enable Internet-based modeling collaboration among teams from multiple disciplines for the
development of BIM.
The achievements of BIM technology attained in virtual design and construction are obvious. However, as a
technology designed to apply to the whole life cycle of building, current technology application of BIM cannot
support all the workflow of the life cycle (Tian and Xue, 2014). Wu and Xu (2014) proposed a collaborative
framework of BIM information from the perspective of supply chain management. Tian and Xue (2014)
summarized the barriers in the process of building an information collaborative application on site and discusses
how to solve the barriers.
According to above literature reviews, most existing literature focuses on development of collaboration systems
in the AEC industry. However, less research focuses on BIM CM in the development of BIM models. The GC
has to ensure the quality and accuracy of BIM models before exchanging information or executing their
application with project stakeholders. Therefore, this paper proposes a CM approach for BIM model
development for GCs and researches a collaboration work rule and management mechanism of BIM modeling to
enhance the effectiveness of collaborative BIM model development.

3. THE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES OF BIM COLLABORATION MANAGEMENT

With the development of BIM technology, GC began using BIM technology in the construction phase. To take
full advantage of collaboration method to execute BIM modeling work to achieve the effect of reduced operating
time. In the absence of BIM-related rule operating guidelines and standard operating procedures, likely to cause
conflict between the work, rework and so on, thus increasing the work time. Besides, use of BIM technology in
the project, the correctness of BIM model is the necessary and important. If BIM model is incorrect that will
affect subsequent application (for example: unable to output shop drawing, unable to review constructability).
Therefore, GC need to execute model check and authority management to ensure the quality and accuracy of the
BIM model in BIM collaboration modeling process. The work framework of BIM collaboration modeling is
using on the same model by several BIM engineers. In the BIM modeling process often encounter naming rule of
BIM models elements are different to result in difficulty to obtain information, the set of origin coordinate are
different to cause some problems when integrating BIM model, BIM model and file do not have set rights
management, anyone can modify, so they cannot ensure the correctness of the information and documents of
BIM model. Furthermore, when encounter some problems in the BIM modeling process, they can only submit
RFI (Request for Information) documents and communicate and discuss in the routine meeting, that will spend a
lot of time. So how to ensure the correctness of the information of BIM model and the immediacy of Information
transfer is a thorny question. To alleviate the current problem, and to enhance the effectiveness of BIM, this
paper, using the concept of collaboration, proposes a collaboration management framework for BIM model
development.
Although use of BIM technology among general contractors has become increasingly popular, but collaboration
function in BIM software are only in the technical aspects, but there is no way to set the rules of collaboration,
and this deficiency leads to difficulty in having multiple parties work together on the same BIM model. A BIM
model is typically modified based on the outcome of meetings to discuss it, or on RFI documents, and timely
modification must still be managed manually. The process of developing a BIM model is highly complex, as the
architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical drawing information are all using on the same model by
several BIM engineers. This mass collaboration has manual operation risks, and if there is no complete process
with which to manage everything, it can be difficult to reap the benefits of BIM collaboration. Using BIM
technology, the general contractor must implement the BIM collaboration management framework, thus acting
upon its integration and synchronization functions. This section proposes the framework of the proposed BIM
collaboration management mechanisms for GC, the framework mainly divided into three stages: initial phase,
model development phase, model checking phase. According to three stages of BIM model development
collaboration management framework, this study will develop collaboration workflow of each stages.
To ensure the BIM model can be developed quickly with good quality for GC, this study will execute the plan of
initial phase before developing the BIM model that will affect the whole operation. The standard operating
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procedures of the initial phase is shown in Fig.1. In this process, first of all, execution of a BIM project is
confirmed after the project goals and contracts have been established. Then, the project starts, and the work
process is planned by the BIM manager. This process includes the establishment of the BIM team, discussions
with BIM engineers, assignment of work, setting permission for each staff engineer, and scheduling of regular
meetings to track the schedule. Then, all project participants will hold a meeting to discuss the requirement and
schedule of model after obtain the drawing, and setting BIM model operating rules, then according model
requirement to plan work item and assign, decide the time required to complete the model, upload the BIM
model file to the server, and implement the basic environment settings.

Figure 1. SOP for the initial phase for the BIM CM implementation
BIM engineers will link the server BIM model and execute BIM modeling when finished the initial phase. There
may encounter problems of drawings and modeling in the model development phase, so this paper plans the
process of model development phase (see Fig.2). During this process, the BIM model is updated synchronously
to the server model according to the BIM model operating rules. At this stage, the BIM manager needs to
determine whether should modify the BIM model should be modified based on the updated project information
or not. A voluntary inspection confirms the correctness of BIM model in the BIM modeling process. If there
have any questions, RFI document will be presented, and via discuss at the meeting to clarify the model issues,
so that BIM model development can proceed smoothly.
Because the BIM model is the basis of its subsequent applications, so the model must have a good quality
management. Therefore, this paper will discuss the model check phase, and develop the model check mechanism.
The mechanism mainly divided into three stages: The first stage is to check the original BIM model in the server
that is essential for BIM collaboration. Furthermore, BIM model checking engineer checks the basic
environment setting of the server BIM model, and so on. Ensure the correctness of the server BIM model to
avoid the error of BIM model development. The second stage is model voluntary inspection that is BIM engineer
checks the BIM model by their own develop, to confirm the quality of the BIM model, this stage can reducing
the check time after completion of all models, and to avoid a lot of mistakes cumulative to the final inspection
stage to cause behind schedule. This paper is also set model checking reference items for model voluntary
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inspection. The third stage is the final model check for ensuring the constructability and practical application
requirements of BIM models. Through model checking mechanism of three stages to check the problem of BIM
model. To make the problem must be solved as soon as possible, this paper develops the management process of
the problem of BIM model (see Fig.3). When a problem is found, the BIM engineer must first determine the
problem whether is BIM model development error or did not follow the rules to develop BIM model, if the
problem is described in the above, then then the BIM engineer needs to fill out the form with a description of the
problem of the BIM model and submitted to a responsible BIM engineer. BIM engineers will respond and
modify the model based on questions raised by the table. When modify is done, then to reply via fill out the table.
If the problem is not described in the above, then project participants will discuss the problem with RFI
documents. Until to confirm all BIM model are correct.

Figure 2. SOP for the BIM model development phase for the BIM CM implementation

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 Figure 3. SOP for BIM model checking management for the BIM CM implementation

4. CASE STUDY
The chosen MRT station in Taiwan involves the engineering construction of four underground floors. The scope
of the BIM model development is the floor of underground platform. The station will use the BIM CM proposed
in this paper as a management method of BIM model development. In this case study, Autodesk Revit 2014 is
used as the BIM modeling software.
All BIM models is developed based on proposed framework and approaches in the study. The BIM model
development is divided into three parts (see Fig.4), and sequentially to execute the initial phase, model
development phase and model check phase, to confirm BIM model can be applied to construction site.

Figure 4. The framework of BIM model development in the case study

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During the initial phase, BIM Team references the initial phase that is proposed from this research to execute the
initial phase of BIM model of this station. BIM managers to evaluate the station before to execute three stages of
BIM model development, and confirm the dispatch five BIM engineers to develop the BIM model, one BIM
model checking engineer to check model (see Table 1). Because this BIM project will be applied to the operation
maintenance phase, there will discuss requirements of operation maintenance and constructability with owner
and site engineers. This BIM project objectives are to develop the station model that contains structure, part of
the decoration, and equipment. It was decided that one BIM central model file to execute collaboration modeling
in this case, there will set workset based on the number of engineer in the central model. To avoid BIM central
model have any problem, only BIM manager has the authority of new add and backup of this BIM model, BIM
engineers not have. After confirming this BIM project assessment and setting, BIM manager gets 2D drawing,
project participants via a meeting to discuss and confirm the requirement of BIM model, then setting BIM model
operating rules. According to the assessment, the station will develop one BIM central model file to develop the
model. The way of BIM model development is importing 2D CAD files. According to the requirements of the
BIM model, the proficiency of the BIM engineer uses BIM software and available time for BIM model
development. This case study involved one senior BIM engineer and four junior BIM engineers. The BIM model
development work took 42 days. BIM manager will develop BIM central model file to the server, the model as
the base model of BIM model development. Then, ensure the correctness of 2D drawing, and 2D drawing
information whether clear. Due to each BIM engineers need the information of 2D drawing are different, so BIM
engineers are responsible to finish their 2D drawing. BIM manager will set up shared parameter files based on
the requirements of the owners, the construction site and modeling. The way of this BIM model development is
cooperated by five BIM engineers, if the model needs to modify that must modify by the responsible engineer to
maintain the model quality and enhance the accuracy of the model. When the main process is complete, BIM
team executes subsequent work based on BIM models operating rules (including the development of baseline
and the basic elements of BIM model), to develop the BIM central basic model.
During the initial model development phase, BIM manager assigns BIM model work to each BIM engineer via
concept of collaboration. BIM team will reference the procedure of the development phase of the BIM
collaboration management Implementation that is proposed from this research to develop the BIM model. BIM
team will discuss BIM model and tracking model status via periodic meetings. BIM team also use the online
communication software and unscheduled meeting to execute real time discussion, to solve the problem as soon
as possible to continue the work. BIM engineer will check the BIM model by their own develop, to confirm the
correctness of the BIM model in the process of BIM model development. Further, in order to keep abreast of the
progress and status of BIM models development, BIM engineers must fill out the online daily work schedules,
the content is the work item of finished and unfinished, and so on. BIM manager will review the progress of each
engineer's work via daily work schedules to deploy work at any time that can make the BIM model can progress
smoothly.
During the model check phase, the BIM model is the basis of the construction and operation maintenance phase
use, so BIM team has to execute model checking very well. BIM team must self-management in the process of
BIM model development, and they will reference the mechanisms of model checking that is proposed from this
research to execute BIM model check. This BIM mode check is divided into three stages, the first stage is before
the BIM model development, BIM model checking engineer will check the BIM central basis model that is
output from the initial phase. ; The second stage is model voluntary inspection that is BIM engineer will check
the BIM model by their own develop, to confirm the quality of the BIM model, its check item will reference the
model voluntary inspection table that is proposed by this research. After the structure/construction phase is
finished, BIM engineer will check the model structure/architecture, decoration/refined decoration elements,
including its location, size and height, and checking the missing /repeat element, then confirm whether there is
fill in the parameters. Due to this station have the requirement of some of equipment and its parameters, this case
study designed the main focus of the check to incorporate the model for operation and maintenance usage. BIM
engineer will check the model equipment elements, including its quantity, item and location, and checking the
level of detail whether is meets the needs of the owners. Finally, check the pre-build equipment parameters fields
are complete. ; The third stage is that the BIM model checking engineer also use the staged way for BIM model
check implementation. When BIM engineer is finished the voluntary inspection of each model phase, BIM
model checking engineer will check the models that is develop by all BIM engineer. After the completion of a
three-stage model checking, BIM model checking engineer performs these checks to ensure that the BIM model
complies with the constructability and practical application requirements, and ensures the correctness of the BIM
model. For any problems found during the three-stage model checking mechanism, BIM team references the
management process of BIM model problems proposed in this research to execute the management process.
When BIM model checking engineer finds a model problem, after judge, to determine the problem is BIM model
development error, then BIM model checking engineer will fill out the table of BIM model problems, and submit
to BIM engineer. BIM engineers will respond and modify the model based on questions raised by the table.
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When modify is done, then to reply through fill out the table of BIM model problems (reply) (see table 2). BIM
manager also confirmed the problem of the model modification via this reply table. In this case, all the model
problems will get effective management via this management process.

Table 1. The initial assessment table using in the case Table 2. The request and respond forms for BIM
study model problems

This case through the set of standard operating procedures for BIM models development that can according to
these standard operating procedures to develop BIM model fast, if any inconsistencies were found among the
standards of any involved parties, it was necessary to ask questions and resolve these differences. This mutual
enlightenment led to a reduction in time necessary to complete the project. BIM engineers can check 2D
drawings, if there is a problem and propose solutions as soon as possible at the process of BIM models
development. The main benefits based on case study are summarized as following: (1) BIM models development
will reduce naming the element which does not match the actual content of the 2D drawing based on proposed
initial phase plan. (2) BIM team can enhance the efficiency of BIM models development using the proposed
standard operating procedures of BIM models development. (3) Multi-stage model checking mechanism that can
effectively reduce the problem of BIM cumulative to the final inspection stage to cause the situation of behind
schedule.
The following facing problems and difficulties are based on case study: (1) Because there is no suitable the
updating and backup mechanism during the BIM models development, so that when BIM central model was
deleted, BIM manager has to spend time to search for the latest BIM model file of BIM engineers, set it as a new
BIM central model files, thereby affecting the progress of the work. (2) Although there are plans for the work
range of BIM engineers, but did not set up authority of the work area, led to the work range of BIM engineer are
influence each other during the BIM models development. (3) Some of BIM engineers lack the experience in
construction site, the station BIM model has a lot of not comply with the application of the construction site,
which led BIM model checking engineer needs to spend a lot of time to check model, resulting in the efficiency
of collaborative BIM model development will decrease.
The following recommendations are based on user feedback: (1) To develop the updating and backup
mechanism for collaborative BIM model development. (2) To strict set the authority of work area when planning
and assigning of work. (3) To enhance the experience of BIM engineers before the BIM model development,
more experienced BIM engineers should explain that BIM model development does not always comply with the
construction site.
5. CONCLUSIONS
Use of BIM technology by the general contractor as a more efficient means of BIM models creation requires
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collaboration among all members of a BIM team. If the approach does not have a complete management method,
it is likely to require rework and have reduced overall operational efficiency. Therefore, the application of BIM
work integrated with the BIM collaboration management mechanisms during the construction phase is discussed
in this work. This study develops the novel BIM CM approach for all project participants as BIM CM
mechanisms. As evidenced by a case study, there are several advantages to BIM collaboration management,
including the following: 1. Through the set of standard operating procedures for BIM models development, BIM
Team can develop BIM model with the same procedures, that can keeping the quality of model but also reducing
time of check model of BIM model checking engineer, enhancing the efficiency of collaboration BIM modelling.
2. Three stages of the BIM model check mechanism can prevent the accumulation of problems with the BIM
model leading to bigger problems, and training BIM engineer in professional abilities, enhancing the correctness
and quality of BIM model. 3. Despite BIM model has a lot of project information, but also needs document and
table to assist communication meeting and the process of check BIM model, those document and meeting
records can track and record common problems of BIM collaboration work, and feedback to next BIM project. 4.
Advanced planning of the BIM model environment settings in the server model is required to meet the project’s
model file framework. If the project needs more than two model files to execute the work, the server model can
be split into multiple models for special purpose.
The recommendations made as a result of the research findings are as follows: 1.Establish collaborative platform
of BIM project, so that all BIM engineers and project stakeholders can coordinate communication through this
platform to enhance BIM collaboration efficiency. 2. Currently, through human method to check models have
limitations, this paper recommended to use the model check software assisted BIM model check work to shorten
the working time of model check and maximize quality management of model. 3. Fill out table need to spend a
long time, this paper recommended systematize the process of BIM modeling for filling out the table more
quickly. 4. Because the requirements of the BIM model application for each project are different, this study
suggests setting different model check mechanisms according to the model requirements with the appropriate
level of detail to avoid wasting time performing unnecessary checks.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to acknowledge the National Science Council, Taiwan, for financially supporting this
work and express our appreciation to the experts and engineers of the involved case study for providing useful
data, valuable information, and helpful comments.

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