This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Technology in Architectural Practice and Practice Management Member Conversations .
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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 workplan 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
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John Kudrycki AIA
Fentress Architects
Denver CO
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