What is a BIM Execution Plan (BEP) ?

The BIM execution plan (BEP) is an essential document to ensure the successful deployment of a BIM project

Published: 05/06/2020

What is a BIM Execution Plan (BEP)?

The BIM execution plan (BEP) is an essential document to ensure the successful deployment of a BIM project. It usually details the expectations for the use of BIM according to the specificities of the project (rehabilitation, new, allotment, etc.) & describes the methods of organization and graphical representation for the operation as well as the processes, models, uses.

Once the client has defined the context of the project and its associated BIM objectives, it is necessary to translate them according to the stakeholders and their BIM maturity, throughout the project phases (programming, design, construction, operation, maintenance…).

These elements are specified in the document commonly known as the “BIM Execution plan” (BEP). It includes in particular:

The procedures defining the needs and therefore the roles and responsibilities of the actors (BIM management plan),

The BIM work methodology relating to information exchange

What data do we need? For who? At what moment? How should they be structured? What coordination processes should be put in place?

The BIM infrastructure, that is to say, the collaborative platform, by asking questions of insurance and responsibilities, lifespan, technical order and functionalities, data security, collaboration procedures.

This "BIM execution plan" must be established as far upstream as possible and can evolve over the entire life cycle of the project. It details the expectations for the use of BIM according to the specificities of the project (rehabilitation, new, allotment, etc.). This document describes the methods of organization and graphical representation for the operation as well as the processes, models, uses.

A BIM agreement is not binding. It is up to the authors of the BEP, to make it contractual and to include it in the ordered list of contractual or reference documents.

What does a BIM Execution Plan contain?

It must specify:

The nature and duration of the operation and the list of actors involved in the project (within particular the stakeholders in charge of BIM: BIM management, coordinators, referents,);

The list of all the software used by each of the players;

The list of BIM uses: the process of enrichment of the 3D model by the actors (information modeling);

A table of the tasks distribution for every actor at each phase;

The Common Data Environment (the collaborative platform);

The exchange format used. Native format or IFC format;

The level of detail and information of the model according to the stages of progress of the project;

BIM deliverables: the model.

What is the added value of a BIM Execution Plan for the project?

It gives the rules of production

It helps to better understand the objectives and expectations of the client

It also allows you to integrate your BIM objectives into the project

It is a collaborative and contributory document

Is the BIM Execution Plan (BEP) mandatory?

The BIM Execution Plan is sometimes also called “BIM Protocol”. Co-signed by the project management stakeholder and backed by the project management contract, the BIM agreement is an enforceable contractual document. It may be, for the information of the contracting authority, annexed to the main contract for project management.

Its drafting is the responsibility of the project partner who ensures the mission of BIM Management. Claiming the mission of BIM Management means being able to draft a BIM execution plan and then apply it, that is to say, to organize the BIM progress of the project, and the precise terms of collaboration between its stakeholders.

When the actors of the project commit themselves through the BEP, they must bear their responsibility.

Therefore, the BIM Execution Plan does not represent an obligation for all projects, but when the client decides to use this document, then each actor involved must bear their responsibilities and respect their obligations.

Thus, the BEP meets the expectations of the client (its objectives or BIM use cases) set out in its specifications.

It oversees the procedures for exchanges between those involved in project management. Also, it aims to clarify their respective missions and scope of intervention. So, although not mandatory, the BEP seems essential to the smooth running of the project.

Catenda has designed a BIM Execution Plan (in french) template to save you some time, you can download it for free Here.

Source: https://catenda.no/bim-glossary/bim-execution-plan

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