Practice Management Member Conversations

We have been working almost exclusively in BIM (Revit) for a number of years now and we area still grappling with how to estimate task duration and allotted hours for producing a project in BIM.

In the days of 2D CAD, we simply put together a cartoon set, took that drawing sheet count and estimated hours per sheet, totaled it and we had a work plan that could be used to confirm fees as well as assign and track tasks for the project.

That has changed with BIM. Certainly we still produce sheets of drawings but that is now a small part of the total effort. Most of our work is in developing the model. We divide that scope between individuals depending on the size and complexity of the project. Sometimes it is by area of the building. Other times it is by building component such as roof, enclosure or interior partitions.

Our dilemma is that we have insufficient experience in estimating the duration for the tasks that involve modeling. It varies greatly depending on the task and the proficiency of the individual. We are trying to develop a standard that at least can be used as a template for our projects.

How have the rest of you managed this issue? Have you established any guidelines or procedures to help increase the validity of our resource estimate?

Thank you in advance for you input.
Sincerely

We have been working almost exclusively in BIM (Revit) for a number of years now and we area still grappling with how to estimate task duration and allotted hours for producing a project in BIM.

In the days of 2D CAD, we simply put together a cartoon set, took that drawing sheet count and estimated hours per sheet, totaled it and we had a work plan that could be used to confirm fees as well as assign and track tasks for the project.

That has changed with BIM. Certainly we still produce sheets of drawings but that is now a small part of the total effort. Most of our work is in developing the model. We divide that scope between individuals depending on the size and complexity of the project. Sometimes it is by area of the building. Other times it is by building component such as roof, enclosure or interior partitions.

Our dilemma is that we have insufficient experience in estimating the duration for the tasks that involve modeling. It varies greatly depending on the task and the proficiency of the individual. We are trying to develop a standard that at least can be used as a template for our projects.

How have the rest of you managed this issue? Have you established any guidelines or procedures to help increase the validity of our resource estimate?

Thank you in advance for you input.
Sincerely

We have been working almost exclusively in BIM (Revit) for a number of years now and we area still grappling with how to estimate task duration and allotted hours for producing a project in BIM.

In the days of 2D CAD, we simply put together a cartoon set, took that drawing sheet count and estimated hours per sheet, totaled it and we had a work plan that could be used to confirm fees as well as assign and track tasks for the project.

That has changed with BIM. Certainly we still produce sheets of drawings but that is now a small part of the total effort. Most of our work is in developing the model. We divide that scope between individuals depending on the size and complexity of the project. Sometimes it is by area of the building. Other times it is by building component such as roof, enclosure or interior partitions.

Our dilemma is that we have insufficient experience in estimating the duration for the tasks that involve modeling. It varies greatly depending on the task and the proficiency of the individual. We are trying to develop a standard that at least can be used as a template for our projects.

How have the rest of you managed this issue? Have you established any guidelines or procedures to help increase the validity of our resource estimate?

Thank you in advance for you input.
Sincerely

We moved to Revit in 2001. Having done over 300 projects, we know that the thinking has to be about a final model, rather than 2D sheets. While 2D sheets are still a much preferred output for signing and sealing a set of contract documents in most of the US, the BIM model has much, much more information available to the design team. Learning how to use this "data base" of BIM information is new to many, and to some... not very user friendly either. It is however, if done properly, a huge resource of information.

Given that the BIM model begins at the beginning of the first input for the model (data base )......estimating time per sheet as an output is not the same thing it used to be.

We use Revit early.....it requires decisions early....regarding not only the horizontal, but the vertical, the thickness, and the materials, etc......we don't think of BIM as a drafting tool but rather a comprehensive model that allows visualization of the final product. While the output may have the appearance of 2D sheets currently, we don't think this will always be the output....rather the entire model will be the export to the field for the construction industry.

So, while you would think that we would have found a way to estimate time, we still have difficulty, even after 11 years........ and a lot of it has to do with the user input skills and experience with not only the software, but the ability to understand and assemble a building......as usual.

We have been working almost exclusively in BIM (Revit) for a number of years now and we area still grappling with how to estimate task duration and allotted hours for producing a project in BIM.

In the days of 2D CAD, we simply put together a cartoon set, took that drawing sheet count and estimated hours per sheet, totaled it and we had a work plan that could be used to confirm fees as well as assign and track tasks for the project.

That has changed with BIM. Certainly we still produce sheets of drawings but that is now a small part of the total effort. Most of our work is in developing the model. We divide that scope between individuals depending on the size and complexity of the project. Sometimes it is by area of the building. Other times it is by building component such as roof, enclosure or interior partitions.

Our dilemma is that we have insufficient experience in estimating the duration for the tasks that involve modeling. It varies greatly depending on the task and the proficiency of the individual. We are trying to develop a standard that at least can be used as a template for our projects.

How have the rest of you managed this issue? Have you established any guidelines or procedures to help increase the validity of our resource estimate?

Thank you in advance for you input.
Sincerely

Rafael,

We estimate between 175 and 225 hours per sheet depending on a number of factors:
1. Size of project
2. Public or private
3. Delivery method - Design bid build or design build
4. Project building type
5. Project complexity.

I was hoping that someone out there had a template format for the modeling tasks already set up. Tasks like:
1. Building envelop
2. Interior partitions
3. Mechanical coordination
4.ETC

Best regards

We moved to Revit in 2001. Having done over 300 projects, we know that the thinking has to be about a final model, rather than 2D sheets. While 2D sheets are still a much preferred output for signing and sealing a set of contract documents in most of the US, the BIM model has much, much more information available to the design team. Learning how to use this "data base" of BIM information is new to many, and to some... not very user friendly either. It is however, if done properly, a huge resource of information.

Given that the BIM model begins at the beginning of the first input for the model (data base )......estimating time per sheet as an output is not the same thing it used to be.

We use Revit early.....it requires decisions early....regarding not only the horizontal, but the vertical, the thickness, and the materials, etc......we don't think of BIM as a drafting tool but rather a comprehensive model that allows visualization of the final product. While the output may have the appearance of 2D sheets currently, we don't think this will always be the output....rather the entire model will be the export to the field for the construction industry.

So, while you would think that we would have found a way to estimate time, we still have difficulty, even after 11 years........ and a lot of it has to do with the user input skills and experience with not only the software, but the ability to understand and assemble a building......as usual.

We have been working almost exclusively in BIM (Revit) for a number of years now and we area still grappling with how to estimate task duration and allotted hours for producing a project in BIM.

In the days of 2D CAD, we simply put together a cartoon set, took that drawing sheet count and estimated hours per sheet, totaled it and we had a work plan that could be used to confirm fees as well as assign and track tasks for the project.

That has changed with BIM. Certainly we still produce sheets of drawings but that is now a small part of the total effort. Most of our work is in developing the model. We divide that scope between individuals depending on the size and complexity of the project. Sometimes it is by area of the building. Other times it is by building component such as roof, enclosure or interior partitions.

Our dilemma is that we have insufficient experience in estimating the duration for the tasks that involve modeling. It varies greatly depending on the task and the proficiency of the individual. We are trying to develop a standard that at least can be used as a template for our projects.

How have the rest of you managed this issue? Have you established any guidelines or procedures to help increase the validity of our resource estimate?

Thank you in advance for you input.
Sincerely

We moved to Revit in 2001. Having done over 300 projects, we know that the thinking has to be about a final model, rather than 2D sheets. While 2D sheets are still a much preferred output for signing and sealing a set of contract documents in most of the US, the BIM model has much, much more information available to the design team. Learning how to use this "data base" of BIM information is new to many, and to some... not very user friendly either. It is however, if done properly, a huge resource of information.

Given that the BIM model begins at the beginning of the first input for the model (data base )......estimating time per sheet as an output is not the same thing it used to be.

We use Revit early.....it requires decisions early....regarding not only the horizontal, but the vertical, the thickness, and the materials, etc......we don't think of BIM as a drafting tool but rather a comprehensive model that allows visualization of the final product. While the output may have the appearance of 2D sheets currently, we don't think this will always be the output....rather the entire model will be the export to the field for the construction industry.

So, while you would think that we would have found a way to estimate time, we still have difficulty, even after 11 years........ and a lot of it has to do with the user input skills and experience with not only the software, but the ability to understand and assemble a building......as usual.

We have been working almost exclusively in BIM (Revit) for a number of years now and we area still grappling with how to estimate task duration and allotted hours for producing a project in BIM.

In the days of 2D CAD, we simply put together a cartoon set, took that drawing sheet count and estimated hours per sheet, totaled it and we had a work plan that could be used to confirm fees as well as assign and track tasks for the project.

That has changed with BIM. Certainly we still produce sheets of drawings but that is now a small part of the total effort. Most of our work is in developing the model. We divide that scope between individuals depending on the size and complexity of the project. Sometimes it is by area of the building. Other times it is by building component such as roof, enclosure or interior partitions.

Our dilemma is that we have insufficient experience in estimating the duration for the tasks that involve modeling. It varies greatly depending on the task and the proficiency of the individual. We are trying to develop a standard that at least can be used as a template for our projects.

How have the rest of you managed this issue? Have you established any guidelines or procedures to help increase the validity of our resource estimate?

Thank you in advance for you input.
Sincerely

We moved to Revit in 2001. Having done over 300 projects, we know that the thinking has to be about a final model, rather than 2D sheets. While 2D sheets are still a much preferred output for signing and sealing a set of contract documents in most of the US, the BIM model has much, much more information available to the design team. Learning how to use this "data base" of BIM information is new to many, and to some... not very user friendly either. It is however, if done properly, a huge resource of information.

Given that the BIM model begins at the beginning of the first input for the model (data base )......estimating time per sheet as an output is not the same thing it used to be.

We use Revit early.....it requires decisions early....regarding not only the horizontal, but the vertical, the thickness, and the materials, etc......we don't think of BIM as a drafting tool but rather a comprehensive model that allows visualization of the final product. While the output may have the appearance of 2D sheets currently, we don't think this will always be the output....rather the entire model will be the export to the field for the construction industry.

So, while you would think that we would have found a way to estimate time, we still have difficulty, even after 11 years........ and a lot of it has to do with the user input skills and experience with not only the software, but the ability to understand and assemble a building......as usual.

We have been working almost exclusively in BIM (Revit) for a number of years now and we area still grappling with how to estimate task duration and allotted hours for producing a project in BIM.

In the days of 2D CAD, we simply put together a cartoon set, took that drawing sheet count and estimated hours per sheet, totaled it and we had a work plan that could be used to confirm fees as well as assign and track tasks for the project.

That has changed with BIM. Certainly we still produce sheets of drawings but that is now a small part of the total effort. Most of our work is in developing the model. We divide that scope between individuals depending on the size and complexity of the project. Sometimes it is by area of the building. Other times it is by building component such as roof, enclosure or interior partitions.

Our dilemma is that we have insufficient experience in estimating the duration for the tasks that involve modeling. It varies greatly depending on the task and the proficiency of the individual. We are trying to develop a standard that at least can be used as a template for our projects.

How have the rest of you managed this issue? Have you established any guidelines or procedures to help increase the validity of our resource estimate?

Thank you in advance for you input.
Sincerely

Once again we have fallen in love with the idea of technology making our lives easier. It has clearly demonstrated that the real power is in the hands of contractor. Here we are making virtual model of constructed building so the contractor does not have to think or solve in-field problems. As design professional we pride ourselves on solving the spatial and visual quality of the project but over time we have taken on more and more risk by doing more and more drawings making the detailing of buildings our scope of work. And now we are building the buildings virtually for the contractor. Taking on even more risk and not getting compensated for it. And to ad insult to injury we can't even figure out what our cost are in this no paradigm. We need to get smarter on how far we are willing to be taken advantage of.

We moved to Revit in 2001. Having done over 300 projects, we know that the thinking has to be about a final model, rather than 2D sheets. While 2D sheets are still a much preferred output for signing and sealing a set of contract documents in most of the US, the BIM model has much, much more information available to the design team. Learning how to use this "data base" of BIM information is new to many, and to some... not very user friendly either. It is however, if done properly, a huge resource of information.

Given that the BIM model begins at the beginning of the first input for the model (data base )......estimating time per sheet as an output is not the same thing it used to be.

We use Revit early.....it requires decisions early....regarding not only the horizontal, but the vertical, the thickness, and the materials, etc......we don't think of BIM as a drafting tool but rather a comprehensive model that allows visualization of the final product. While the output may have the appearance of 2D sheets currently, we don't think this will always be the output....rather the entire model will be the export to the field for the construction industry.

So, while you would think that we would have found a way to estimate time, we still have difficulty, even after 11 years........ and a lot of it has to do with the user input skills and experience with not only the software, but the ability to understand and assemble a building......as usual.

We have been working almost exclusively in BIM (Revit) for a number of years now and we area still grappling with how to estimate task duration and allotted hours for producing a project in BIM.

In the days of 2D CAD, we simply put together a cartoon set, took that drawing sheet count and estimated hours per sheet, totaled it and we had a work plan that could be used to confirm fees as well as assign and track tasks for the project.

That has changed with BIM. Certainly we still produce sheets of drawings but that is now a small part of the total effort. Most of our work is in developing the model. We divide that scope between individuals depending on the size and complexity of the project. Sometimes it is by area of the building. Other times it is by building component such as roof, enclosure or interior partitions.

Our dilemma is that we have insufficient experience in estimating the duration for the tasks that involve modeling. It varies greatly depending on the task and the proficiency of the individual. We are trying to develop a standard that at least can be used as a template for our projects.

How have the rest of you managed this issue? Have you established any guidelines or procedures to help increase the validity of our resource estimate?

Thank you in advance for you input.
Sincerely

Once again we have fallen in love with the idea of technology making our lives easier. It has clearly demonstrated that the real power is in the hands of contractor. Here we are making virtual model of constructed building so the contractor does not have to think or solve in-field problems. As design professional we pride ourselves on solving the spatial and visual quality of the project but over time we have taken on more and more risk by doing more and more drawings making the detailing of buildings our scope of work. And now we are building the buildings virtually for the contractor. Taking on even more risk and not getting compensated for it. And to ad insult to injury we can't even figure out what our cost are in this no paradigm. We need to get smarter on how far we are willing to be taken advantage of.

We moved to Revit in 2001. Having done over 300 projects, we know that the thinking has to be about a final model, rather than 2D sheets. While 2D sheets are still a much preferred output for signing and sealing a set of contract documents in most of the US, the BIM model has much, much more information available to the design team. Learning how to use this "data base" of BIM information is new to many, and to some... not very user friendly either. It is however, if done properly, a huge resource of information.

Given that the BIM model begins at the beginning of the first input for the model (data base )......estimating time per sheet as an output is not the same thing it used to be.

We use Revit early.....it requires decisions early....regarding not only the horizontal, but the vertical, the thickness, and the materials, etc......we don't think of BIM as a drafting tool but rather a comprehensive model that allows visualization of the final product. While the output may have the appearance of 2D sheets currently, we don't think this will always be the output....rather the entire model will be the export to the field for the construction industry.

So, while you would think that we would have found a way to estimate time, we still have difficulty, even after 11 years........ and a lot of it has to do with the user input skills and experience with not only the software, but the ability to understand and assemble a building......as usual.

We have been working almost exclusively in BIM (Revit) for a number of years now and we area still grappling with how to estimate task duration and allotted hours for producing a project in BIM.

In the days of 2D CAD, we simply put together a cartoon set, took that drawing sheet count and estimated hours per sheet, totaled it and we had a work plan that could be used to confirm fees as well as assign and track tasks for the project.

That has changed with BIM. Certainly we still produce sheets of drawings but that is now a small part of the total effort. Most of our work is in developing the model. We divide that scope between individuals depending on the size and complexity of the project. Sometimes it is by area of the building. Other times it is by building component such as roof, enclosure or interior partitions.

Our dilemma is that we have insufficient experience in estimating the duration for the tasks that involve modeling. It varies greatly depending on the task and the proficiency of the individual. We are trying to develop a standard that at least can be used as a template for our projects.

How have the rest of you managed this issue? Have you established any guidelines or procedures to help increase the validity of our resource estimate?

Thank you in advance for you input.
Sincerely

Once again we have fallen in love with the idea of technology making our lives easier. It has clearly demonstrated that the real power is in the hands of contractor. Here we are making virtual model of constructed building so the contractor does not have to think or solve in-field problems. As design professional we pride ourselves on solving the spatial and visual quality of the project but over time we have taken on more and more risk by doing more and more drawings making the detailing of buildings our scope of work. And now we are building the buildings virtually for the contractor. Taking on even more risk and not getting compensated for it. And to ad insult to injury we can't even figure out what our cost are in this no paradigm. We need to get smarter on how far we are willing to be taken advantage of.

We moved to Revit in 2001. Having done over 300 projects, we know that the thinking has to be about a final model, rather than 2D sheets. While 2D sheets are still a much preferred output for signing and sealing a set of contract documents in most of the US, the BIM model has much, much more information available to the design team. Learning how to use this "data base" of BIM information is new to many, and to some... not very user friendly either. It is however, if done properly, a huge resource of information.

Given that the BIM model begins at the beginning of the first input for the model (data base )......estimating time per sheet as an output is not the same thing it used to be.

We use Revit early.....it requires decisions early....regarding not only the horizontal, but the vertical, the thickness, and the materials, etc......we don't think of BIM as a drafting tool but rather a comprehensive model that allows visualization of the final product. While the output may have the appearance of 2D sheets currently, we don't think this will always be the output....rather the entire model will be the export to the field for the construction industry.

So, while you would think that we would have found a way to estimate time, we still have difficulty, even after 11 years........ and a lot of it has to do with the user input skills and experience with not only the software, but the ability to understand and assemble a building......as usual.

We have been working almost exclusively in BIM (Revit) for a number of years now and we area still grappling with how to estimate task duration and allotted hours for producing a project in BIM.

In the days of 2D CAD, we simply put together a cartoon set, took that drawing sheet count and estimated hours per sheet, totaled it and we had a work plan that could be used to confirm fees as well as assign and track tasks for the project.

That has changed with BIM. Certainly we still produce sheets of drawings but that is now a small part of the total effort. Most of our work is in developing the model. We divide that scope between individuals depending on the size and complexity of the project. Sometimes it is by area of the building. Other times it is by building component such as roof, enclosure or interior partitions.

Our dilemma is that we have insufficient experience in estimating the duration for the tasks that involve modeling. It varies greatly depending on the task and the proficiency of the individual. We are trying to develop a standard that at least can be used as a template for our projects.

How have the rest of you managed this issue? Have you established any guidelines or procedures to help increase the validity of our resource estimate?

Thank you in advance for you input.
Sincerely

Once again we have fallen in love with the idea of technology making our lives easier. It has clearly demonstrated that the real power is in the hands of contractor. Here we are making virtual model of constructed building so the contractor does not have to think or solve in-field problems. As design professional we pride ourselves on solving the spatial and visual quality of the project but over time we have taken on more and more risk by doing more and more drawings making the detailing of buildings our scope of work. And now we are building the buildings virtually for the contractor. Taking on even more risk and not getting compensated for it. And to ad insult to injury we can't even figure out what our cost are in this no paradigm. We need to get smarter on how far we are willing to be taken advantage of.

We moved to Revit in 2001. Having done over 300 projects, we know that the thinking has to be about a final model, rather than 2D sheets. While 2D sheets are still a much preferred output for signing and sealing a set of contract documents in most of the US, the BIM model has much, much more information available to the design team. Learning how to use this "data base" of BIM information is new to many, and to some... not very user friendly either. It is however, if done properly, a huge resource of information.

Given that the BIM model begins at the beginning of the first input for the model (data base )......estimating time per sheet as an output is not the same thing it used to be.

We use Revit early.....it requires decisions early....regarding not only the horizontal, but the vertical, the thickness, and the materials, etc......we don't think of BIM as a drafting tool but rather a comprehensive model that allows visualization of the final product. While the output may have the appearance of 2D sheets currently, we don't think this will always be the output....rather the entire model will be the export to the field for the construction industry.

So, while you would think that we would have found a way to estimate time, we still have difficulty, even after 11 years........ and a lot of it has to do with the user input skills and experience with not only the software, but the ability to understand and assemble a building......as usual.

We have been working almost exclusively in BIM (Revit) for a number of years now and we area still grappling with how to estimate task duration and allotted hours for producing a project in BIM.

In the days of 2D CAD, we simply put together a cartoon set, took that drawing sheet count and estimated hours per sheet, totaled it and we had a work plan that could be used to confirm fees as well as assign and track tasks for the project.

That has changed with BIM. Certainly we still produce sheets of drawings but that is now a small part of the total effort. Most of our work is in developing the model. We divide that scope between individuals depending on the size and complexity of the project. Sometimes it is by area of the building. Other times it is by building component such as roof, enclosure or interior partitions.

Our dilemma is that we have insufficient experience in estimating the duration for the tasks that involve modeling. It varies greatly depending on the task and the proficiency of the individual. We are trying to develop a standard that at least can be used as a template for our projects.

How have the rest of you managed this issue? Have you established any guidelines or procedures to help increase the validity of our resource estimate?

Thank you in advance for you input.
Sincerely

Once again we have fallen in love with the idea of technology making our lives easier. It has clearly demonstrated that the real power is in the hands of contractor. Here we are making virtual model of constructed building so the contractor does not have to think or solve in-field problems. As design professional we pride ourselves on solving the spatial and visual quality of the project but over time we have taken on more and more risk by doing more and more drawings making the detailing of buildings our scope of work. And now we are building the buildings virtually for the contractor. Taking on even more risk and not getting compensated for it. And to ad insult to injury we can't even figure out what our cost are in this no paradigm. We need to get smarter on how far we are willing to be taken advantage of.

We moved to Revit in 2001. Having done over 300 projects, we know that the thinking has to be about a final model, rather than 2D sheets. While 2D sheets are still a much preferred output for signing and sealing a set of contract documents in most of the US, the BIM model has much, much more information available to the design team. Learning how to use this "data base" of BIM information is new to many, and to some... not very user friendly either. It is however, if done properly, a huge resource of information.

Given that the BIM model begins at the beginning of the first input for the model (data base )......estimating time per sheet as an output is not the same thing it used to be.

We use Revit early.....it requires decisions early....regarding not only the horizontal, but the vertical, the thickness, and the materials, etc......we don't think of BIM as a drafting tool but rather a comprehensive model that allows visualization of the final product. While the output may have the appearance of 2D sheets currently, we don't think this will always be the output....rather the entire model will be the export to the field for the construction industry.

So, while you would think that we would have found a way to estimate time, we still have difficulty, even after 11 years........ and a lot of it has to do with the user input skills and experience with not only the software, but the ability to understand and assemble a building......as usual.

We have been working almost exclusively in BIM (Revit) for a number of years now and we area still grappling with how to estimate task duration and allotted hours for producing a project in BIM.

In the days of 2D CAD, we simply put together a cartoon set, took that drawing sheet count and estimated hours per sheet, totaled it and we had a work plan that could be used to confirm fees as well as assign and track tasks for the project.

That has changed with BIM. Certainly we still produce sheets of drawings but that is now a small part of the total effort. Most of our work is in developing the model. We divide that scope between individuals depending on the size and complexity of the project. Sometimes it is by area of the building. Other times it is by building component such as roof, enclosure or interior partitions.

Our dilemma is that we have insufficient experience in estimating the duration for the tasks that involve modeling. It varies greatly depending on the task and the proficiency of the individual. We are trying to develop a standard that at least can be used as a template for our projects.

How have the rest of you managed this issue? Have you established any guidelines or procedures to help increase the validity of our resource estimate?

Thank you in advance for you input.
Sincerely

We moved to Revit in 2001. Having done over 300 projects, we know that the thinking has to be about a final model, rather than 2D sheets. While 2D sheets are still a much preferred output for signing and sealing a set of contract documents in most of the US, the BIM model has much, much more information available to the design team. Learning how to use this "data base" of BIM information is new to many, and to some... not very user friendly either. It is however, if done properly, a huge resource of information.

Given that the BIM model begins at the beginning of the first input for the model (data base )......estimating time per sheet as an output is not the same thing it used to be.

We use Revit early.....it requires decisions early....regarding not only the horizontal, but the vertical, the thickness, and the materials, etc......we don't think of BIM as a drafting tool but rather a comprehensive model that allows visualization of the final product. While the output may have the appearance of 2D sheets currently, we don't think this will always be the output....rather the entire model will be the export to the field for the construction industry.

So, while you would think that we would have found a way to estimate time, we still have difficulty, even after 11 years........ and a lot of it has to do with the user input skills and experience with not only the software, but the ability to understand and assemble a building......as usual.

We have been working almost exclusively in BIM (Revit) for a number of years now and we area still grappling with how to estimate task duration and allotted hours for producing a project in BIM.

In the days of 2D CAD, we simply put together a cartoon set, took that drawing sheet count and estimated hours per sheet, totaled it and we had a work plan that could be used to confirm fees as well as assign and track tasks for the project.

That has changed with BIM. Certainly we still produce sheets of drawings but that is now a small part of the total effort. Most of our work is in developing the model. We divide that scope between individuals depending on the size and complexity of the project. Sometimes it is by area of the building. Other times it is by building component such as roof, enclosure or interior partitions.

Our dilemma is that we have insufficient experience in estimating the duration for the tasks that involve modeling. It varies greatly depending on the task and the proficiency of the individual. We are trying to develop a standard that at least can be used as a template for our projects.

How have the rest of you managed this issue? Have you established any guidelines or procedures to help increase the validity of our resource estimate?

Thank you in advance for you input.
Sincerely

We moved to Revit in 2001. Having done over 300 projects, we know that the thinking has to be about a final model, rather than 2D sheets. While 2D sheets are still a much preferred output for signing and sealing a set of contract documents in most of the US, the BIM model has much, much more information available to the design team. Learning how to use this "data base" of BIM information is new to many, and to some... not very user friendly either. It is however, if done properly, a huge resource of information.

Given that the BIM model begins at the beginning of the first input for the model (data base )......estimating time per sheet as an output is not the same thing it used to be.

We use Revit early.....it requires decisions early....regarding not only the horizontal, but the vertical, the thickness, and the materials, etc......we don't think of BIM as a drafting tool but rather a comprehensive model that allows visualization of the final product. While the output may have the appearance of 2D sheets currently, we don't think this will always be the output....rather the entire model will be the export to the field for the construction industry.

So, while you would think that we would have found a way to estimate time, we still have difficulty, even after 11 years........ and a lot of it has to do with the user input skills and experience with not only the software, but the ability to understand and assemble a building......as usual.

We have been working almost exclusively in BIM (Revit) for a number of years now and we area still grappling with how to estimate task duration and allotted hours for producing a project in BIM.

In the days of 2D CAD, we simply put together a cartoon set, took that drawing sheet count and estimated hours per sheet, totaled it and we had a work plan that could be used to confirm fees as well as assign and track tasks for the project.

That has changed with BIM. Certainly we still produce sheets of drawings but that is now a small part of the total effort. Most of our work is in developing the model. We divide that scope between individuals depending on the size and complexity of the project. Sometimes it is by area of the building. Other times it is by building component such as roof, enclosure or interior partitions.

Our dilemma is that we have insufficient experience in estimating the duration for the tasks that involve modeling. It varies greatly depending on the task and the proficiency of the individual. We are trying to develop a standard that at least can be used as a template for our projects.

How have the rest of you managed this issue? Have you established any guidelines or procedures to help increase the validity of our resource estimate?

Thank you in advance for you input.
Sincerely

• Initial conceptual design in plan and elevation
• Floor plan design development
• Exterior design development
• Code analysis and compliance planning
• Team integration work - coordinating with owner, consultants, and contractor
• Interior detailing
• Exterior detailing
• Specification extraction and coordination
• You could also allocate time for cost/schedule analysis if your BIM project gets into those areas

I don't know if the old divisions of SD/DD/CD/CA work so well for BIM anymore, as you really can get into CA concepts in the virtual model in early design work.  However, if you focus on what you need to deliver as an Architect, then at least you're looking at time spent on a relevant task, as opposed to an abstract measure such as hours per sheet.

Either way, create a system you are comfortable with and start tracking hours.  That's the only way to truly know where the time is spent on a project, and you'll be able to refine your time estimates as you work through your system a few times.

As a check, you can take your fee and devolve it into hours.  Say that after deducting consultants fees and a targeted profit percentage you end up with a fee of $350,000.  You can divide that number by a weighted average hourly cost (average of hourly cost of drafters, project architects, and principals) to arrive at a total hours available.  If the weighted average was $85 per hour, that would leave you with (350,000/85) 4118 hours.  If three people work on it full time, that cuts the calendar timeline to 1373 hours, or 34 weeks.

We moved to Revit in 2001. Having done over 300 projects, we know that the thinking has to be about a final model, rather than 2D sheets. While 2D sheets are still a much preferred output for signing and sealing a set of contract documents in most of the US, the BIM model has much, much more information available to the design team. Learning how to use this "data base" of BIM information is new to many, and to some... not very user friendly either. It is however, if done properly, a huge resource of information.

Given that the BIM model begins at the beginning of the first input for the model (data base )......estimating time per sheet as an output is not the same thing it used to be.

We use Revit early.....it requires decisions early....regarding not only the horizontal, but the vertical, the thickness, and the materials, etc......we don't think of BIM as a drafting tool but rather a comprehensive model that allows visualization of the final product. While the output may have the appearance of 2D sheets currently, we don't think this will always be the output....rather the entire model will be the export to the field for the construction industry.

So, while you would think that we would have found a way to estimate time, we still have difficulty, even after 11 years........ and a lot of it has to do with the user input skills and experience with not only the software, but the ability to understand and assemble a building......as usual.

We have been working almost exclusively in BIM (Revit) for a number of years now and we area still grappling with how to estimate task duration and allotted hours for producing a project in BIM.

In the days of 2D CAD, we simply put together a cartoon set, took that drawing sheet count and estimated hours per sheet, totaled it and we had a work plan that could be used to confirm fees as well as assign and track tasks for the project.

That has changed with BIM. Certainly we still produce sheets of drawings but that is now a small part of the total effort. Most of our work is in developing the model. We divide that scope between individuals depending on the size and complexity of the project. Sometimes it is by area of the building. Other times it is by building component such as roof, enclosure or interior partitions.

Our dilemma is that we have insufficient experience in estimating the duration for the tasks that involve modeling. It varies greatly depending on the task and the proficiency of the individual. We are trying to develop a standard that at least can be used as a template for our projects.

How have the rest of you managed this issue? Have you established any guidelines or procedures to help increase the validity of our resource estimate?

Thank you in advance for you input.
Sincerely