This issue in BIM requires a formal process of project data exchange handled by an assigned manager between the architectural team and the construction team. There's a webinar available for free download at the AIA TAP site that shows the whole process applied in the video of 2010.08.06 TAP Webinar "2010 AIA Excellence in BIM Case Study: PALOMAR MEDICAL CENTER WEST". 75 MB download.
http://aiatap.ning.com/group/tapwebinars There's a good diagram in there of how the handoff is structured.
It's handled by using the AIA Document E202-2008 to outline the responsibilities of all involved in the transfer of digital information and collaborative work processes. There's a sample document on this page, downloadable so you can see what items have to be agreed upon by everyone:
http://www.aia.org/contractdocs/aiab081442 Another way to go at this is to use the plan rooms for distribution of 2D CAD files. Many of the contractors build BIM models from these documents with the assist from the plan room services such as Planwell, which means that the liability for 3D information sharing stops with the plan room service, it's not true model sharing. They're offering a cloud storage platform for all of this:
http://planwellcollaborate.com/product.html Information sharing is critically supported by contractual agreements, platform support, communication bandwidth, and the relevant software protocols. All elements have to be addressed in order for digital information exchange to work.
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Laurie Barlow AIA
Principal/Partner
L. Barlow & Company
South Pasadena CA
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