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Summary – Construction suffers from information silos and fragmented processes, leading to delays, inconsistencies and cost overruns. BIM transforms the 3D model into a shared data infrastructure, integrating temporal, financial, environmental and regulatory dimensions, and enabling cross-functional collaboration, interoperability via open standards and predictive simulations to anticipate performance and sustainability. Solution: launch a structured BIM program with clear governance, a phased roadmap and modular technologies without vendor lock-in.
Building Information Modeling is revolutionizing construction by placing data at the heart of every stage of the lifecycle. Far more than a simple 3D model, BIM becomes a shared, structured digital infrastructure that is continuously updated. It transforms the way organizations design, authorize, build, operate and manage their assets by bringing stakeholders together around a single source of truth. This article reveals the strategic challenges of BIM, illustrates its benefits with Swiss examples, and provides the keys to a successful, structured and sustainable implementation.
From the 3D Model to a Data Infrastructure
BIM extends the concept of the model beyond geometry to incorporate rich, interconnected information. This multidimensional data becomes the foundation for all decision-making processes.
Beyond 3D: Multidimensional Data
In a mature BIM project, the digital model is no longer limited to shapes and volumes. It incorporates temporal, financial, energy, environmental and regulatory data.
These additional dimensions allow for the anticipation and correction of errors before the construction phase, the simulation of costs and schedules, and the optimization of sustainable performance of the assets.
Such an approach promotes transparency across departments, enhances the reliability of forecasts and facilitates decision traceability, while ensuring the continuous capitalization of knowledge.
Integrating Business Processes and Stakeholders
BIM mandates cross-functional collaboration between design, engineering, administrative management and operations. Information flows in a common repository, ensuring consistency and responsiveness, and enabling the automation of business processes.
Business stakeholders – architects, design offices, urban planning departments and operators – access the same data, avoiding information loss and the delays associated with back-and-forth document exchanges.
This cooperation enhances the quality of deliverables and accelerates the authorization, approval and commissioning processes for the assets.
Example of Centralized Authorization Data
A Swiss canton established a single BIM repository for its three established departments: building permits, built heritage management and land-use planning. Project information is supplied by design offices and is accessible in real time by decision-makers, without multiple data entries.
This approach has shown that unifying the repositories reduces permit processing times by several weeks and significantly decreases inconsistencies between zoning regulations and heritage requirements.
The resulting data model now serves as the basis for interdepartmental reporting tools and global impact analyses, illustrating the growing maturity of BIM as a central infrastructure.
Governance and Methodology: Pillars of Success
The success of a BIM project does not rest on technology alone, but on clear, shared governance. Defined rules, roles and standards ensure data integrity and interoperability.
Stakeholder Alignment and Shared Governance
A BIM methodology framework structures stakeholder responsibilities. It clarifies who creates, validates and updates each piece of information at every stage of the project.
BIM charters formalize workflows, expected deliverables and naming conventions, ensuring a common lexicon.
This organizational alignment reduces conflicts, speeds up decision-making and establishes shared accountability for data quality.
Open Standards and Interoperability
To avoid vendor lock-in, the use of open standards (IFC, BCF, COBie) is essential. They ensure seamless exchange between various tools and the longevity of models, reinforcing interoperability.
A modular approach based on scalable open-source software components allows the BIM platform to adapt to specific needs without being locked in.
It also offers the flexibility to integrate complementary solutions (asset management, energy simulation, predictive maintenance) as use cases evolve.
Example of a Civil Engineering SME
A Swiss medium-sized company specializing in civil engineering structures established a BIM committee that brought together the IT department, business leads and contractors. This committee defined a BIM charter detailing the exchange formats, levels of detail and validation procedures.
The outcome was a 20% acceleration in the design schedule, a reduction in model clashes and increased confidence from project owners due to enhanced traceability.
This experience demonstrated that solid governance turns BIM into an enterprise-wide transformation program, rather than an isolated initiative.
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Enriched Data and Simulation Throughout the Cycle
BIM leverages rich data to simulate, anticipate and manage projects. Performance can be verified before physical implementation.
Temporal, Financial and Environmental Data
Each element of the digital model can be associated with a lifecycle, operating cost and energy or environmental performance metrics.
This enables the comparison of construction and operation scenarios, budget optimization and the integration of sustainability and compliance objectives from the feasibility study onward.
Combining these dimensions provides clear visibility into return on investment and overall lifecycle performance of the assets.
Predictive Scenarios and Analyses
With structured data, it is possible to run multi-criteria simulations: the impact of schedule changes, energy consumption optimization, and predictive maintenance.
These simulation tools reduce risks, improve decision-making and enhance infrastructure resilience against climatic and operational uncertainties.
They align business, engineering and operations around a common language, accelerating the shift towards more reliable and sustainable infrastructure.
Example of Energy Simulation for a Logistics Center
A Swiss logistics operator integrated thermal, consumption and occupancy data into its BIM model to simulate various lighting and HVAC configurations.
The results demonstrated a potential 15% savings on the annual energy bill by adjusting wall panels and the ventilation system before construction.
This foresight allowed for quick decisions among different suppliers and ensured compliance with new environmental standards.
Roadmap and Gradual Adoption
Effective BIM deployment relies on a global vision broken down into human, methodological and technological phases. Each step prepares the next to ensure controlled maturity growth.
Defining a Vision and Program Phasing
The BIM roadmap begins with a maturity assessment and the identification of strategic priorities: permitting, design, construction and operations.
Then, each phase includes clear milestones, performance indicators and validated deliverables to track progress and make continuous adjustments.
This planning avoids the illusion of a “big bang” and promotes progressive, controlled adoption aligned with internal capabilities.
Training, Change Management and Skill Development
The success of a BIM program depends on supporting teams through targeted training, collaborative workshops and operational resources. This skill development relies on an LMS for effective employee onboarding.
Establishing internal BIM champions ensures best practices are shared and governance is upheld on a daily basis.
Finally, change management must incorporate feedback and promote the continuous improvement of processes and tools.
Example of a Deployment for a Public Transport Network
A public transport network in a major Swiss city structured its BIM program in three phases: prototyping on a pilot project, standardizing workflows, and scaling across all lines.
The pilot phase validated exchange formats and the governance charter by producing a digital twin of a depot, which then served as the basis for training seventy employees.
This gradual deployment reduced maintenance costs by 12% in the first year and strengthened operational safety.
Make BIM Your Sustainable Competitive Advantage
BIM is not just a tool, but a governance infrastructure that places data at the heart of processes. It creates a common language between design, permitting, operations and maintenance to ensure asset reliability and durability.
To succeed in this transformation, clear governance must be established, a progressive roadmap structured, and open, modular technologies adopted to avoid vendor lock-in.
Our Edana experts are at your disposal to co-create your BIM program, define appropriate standards and support your teams throughout the entire lifecycle of your infrastructure.
