BIM Kickoff Meeting FAQ/Revit Project Kickoff FAQ

[RobertB]

This is a documentation format that we have been using in the Pacific Northwest to help document critical information related to a Revit project's setup and collaboration. This FAQ was discussed in the August 2013 AUGIWorld issue (http://www.augi.com/augiworld/august-2013/). Many companies along the West Coast of the USA have embraced this FAQ or a modified version of it for their own use.

The advantage to this FAQ compared to a BIM Execution Plan (BxP) is that the FAQ concisely addresses specific issues related to Revit project setup whereas the BxP is usually too general in nature.

If you have suggestions for the FAQ please share them here and I will continue to update the FAQ for everyone.

P.S. Yes, you may reformat the document so that it doesn't have the Sparling letterhead on it. :mrgreen:

Updated the FAQ to the 2014-10-09 version.

[William Troeak]

Thanks, this document has a lot of good information!

[ModelBoss]

Robert,

Thank you for sharing! This is a great kick-off document. It is more specific that what I had been using and it addresses specific issues affecting MEP users that the architects may not always be aware of.

[daniel.morrison]

Good work Robert,
The only thing I would add is a bit more about coordination - the when and how much is to be done.
We have found that it is the level of coordination that is what costs the most for us. Without coordination Revit modelling doesn't cost more than AutoCAD for someone with experience.
We are asked to model and coordinate to a certain level and then the architects still change their design after this. If we allowed for these changes in our bid price we would never win the job, so we have found it necessay to have the fight at the begining of a project and tell the architect that we wont coordinate items until they have finished design that will affect those items. Architects don't like it and don't always agree, but without this we have lost money on almost every job.

[Wanderer]

This is a documentation format that we have been using in the Pacific Northwest to help document critical information related to a Revit project's setup and collaboration. This FAQ was discussed in the August 2013 AUGIWorld issue (http://www.augi.com/augiworld/august-2013/). Many companies along the West Coast of the USA have embraced this FAQ or a modified version of it for their own use.

The advantage to this FAQ compared to a BIM Execution Plan (BxP) is that the FAQ concisely addresses specific issues related to Revit project setup whereas the BxP is usually too general in nature.

If you have suggestions for the FAQ please share them here and I will continue to update the FAQ for everyone.

P.S. Yes, you may reformat the document so that it doesn't have the Sparling letterhead on it. :mrgreen:

That's a GREAT checklist, Bob, thanks for posting.

The one thing that I see missing from #49 and #50... where's the Technical Rep for the Owner?
Obviously, if the project is using BIM, but, the owner's Standards & Specifications and Contract don't require it, that's not necessary, but, if their Specs DO require it, they need to be included early on. Why debate project coordinates on the team, if the owner has some set up that they need you to use?

(and, yes, I specify technical rep, because, while the PM and others (http://mistressofthedorkness.blogspot.com/2012/09/what-does-owner-want-with-bim.html)might appreciate the cost savings due to reduced RFI's during design and construction, they often-times have no idea what the CAD Manager/Engineers/skilled maintenance personnel will be using the models for afterward, just as they had no clue what we did with the CAD files and equipment data once they turned them over to us.)

[ken.elliott]

This is very helpful. WE are just getting into Revit as clients are requiring it. this will help to ensure no holes are left unfilled.

[jaynelly]

Thanks for sharing. A lot more complete than what I have been using.

[mehdi.kardehi565550]

you are a champion Robert ....thanks for sharing....I don't see any need for change..to be honest I will be removing couple of parts for my own use

[perrie]

Robert..this is great!!! I'm just getting into the wonderful world of REVIT last year. And have created a binder of snapshots to remember how in the heck I finally figured something out. I have come to the conclusion that a lot of the problems have been not Having a Revit Coordination Standards setup...and viola!!! I find this super great template that I can add to my library.
I do have a question regarding #45: ""arch families cutting holes in the ceiling""
I was going to add to this question, but wanted to make sure I am correct on my assessment:

ADDITION TO #45: "After design has been approve for modeling, "No ceilings can be redrawn in the arch model for this will cause issues as well, only modifications..."

MY ASSESSMENT: "IF I HAVE ALREADY COPY/MONITORED THE LIGHTING FIXTURES FROM THE ARCHITECT MODEL AND AM PRETTY MUCH IN THE CD PHASE..." "THEN I RELOAD THE ARCH MODEL AND SOMEHOW ALL MY FIXTURES HAVE LOST HOSTING TO THE CEILING"....FROM WHAT I HAVE READ...THE ARCHITECT CANNOT CREATE NEW CEILINGS FOR THIS WILL HAPPEN TO ANYTHING HOSTED TO THEM..."THE ONLY CHANGES CAN BE MODIFYING THE CEILING"

Thanks for listening and please let me know if I should maybe be directing this elsewhere.
Perrie

[Tony C.]

Robert:

Thanks for sharing! This is great.

I've been encouraging my Revit MEP peeps that the first step in setting up any Revit-based project is the BIM kickoff meeting, ..and to act incredulous if/when the Architect doesn't schedule one.
However I just haven't had time to assemble a complete document myself, so you have just saved me a lot of time. I'll share your FAQ doc as an example and leave your header on it -- i try to give credit where credit is due.

[Tony C.]

PS:

I might have to respectfully disagree with your footnote on page 1 stating "Revit MEP usually has significant enhancements for each release..."

While this has been true in the past, I personally don't consider "Japan Localized electrical content" and "sketchy lines" to be significant improvements. lol.
These are great for building design in Japan, and for, um, sketchy designers, but I was expecting a little more with this past release.

Anyway, thanks again for sharing your kickoff document!

[mangeshcnarkar590417]

Thanks, this document has a lot of good information!

[dan.j.weigand589053]

I seem to be having trouble accessing the file - just takes me to my Profile page. Anyone else seeing this?

[Wanderer]

I seem to be having trouble accessing the file - just takes me to my Profile page. Anyone else seeing this?

Hmm, it downloads just find for me. I'm using Chrome, if that matters. I have AUGI and forums.augi.com added to my safe site list, maybe it's a security setting blocking you from downloading? Just a thought.

[Binu Mathew]

Thanks Robert, Good help to the Revit community..
In our office normal procedure is that We(Electrical) will model the Electrical as per our calcs. and then Architects link the Electrical central model then copy monitor each elements, Architects coordinates each devices (Lighting, Fire Alarm, WiFi, Speakers, Fire Fighting sprinklers, Diffusers, ceiling access point etc..) on the ceiling then Architects inform us as your elements are slightly moved (if really reqd.). We will have coordinated ceiling views in our (Electrical)central model file Project browser we will check /confirm that if there are any movements in the ceiling for Electrical elements if there is any we will relocate as per the Architecture layout.
In some instance DD (Design Development Stage) or fast track project we normally may not have the ceiling info in model. and Architects may not get time to model it. Then we will host our ceiling Elements in a reference plane. When Architects model the Ceiling we will Align and loack the Reference plane into the Ceiling