A review of specialist role definitions in bim guides and standards

Abstract

Many handbooks and guides have been developed to assist with the adoption and implementation of BIM for organizations and projects. This paper examines the ways in which roles and responsibilities of BIM specialists are defined across an international selection of 36 of these documents. The purposes of BIM guides are examined and categorized, and the expertise and intentions of their developers are considered. The number and variety of guides and standards available raises concern, as findings suggest that while BIM practice generally is becoming more standardized, BIM specialist roles may be developing in an uncoordinated manner, even when companies and individuals consider themselves to be following best practice guidance. Specific shortcomings identified include a lack of definition of client-side roles in the BIM process, the inclusion of organisational BIM roles and activities in project-level guides and standards, and overlapping use of similar role titles to describe different functions within BIM project teams. The use of BIM guides to define project and organizational roles requires further attention in the wider professional context of BIM implementation and practice, in order to strengthen BIM practice and reduce ambiguity and uncertainty.