No doubt 5D BIM is a complicated software, which is one reason why it is not yet widely used. At AEC Construction Management, we have implemented this software together with other software components for various client projects.

Any building information modeling starts with the 3D building design itself. 4D adds the time scaled construction component and 5D the cost. BIM is achieved with the help of compatible software that adds layers to the 3D model. It helps resolve challenges as they come up in real time, before they are encountered in the field, and helps to keep the project on time and within budget. The software is capable of modeling all construction components, as a whole or by individual pieces and parts, from start to finish.

Here are the major benefits we have seen for past and present clients:

Visualizing the entire project in the pre-planning process.

Most valuable in the pre-planning process is the ability to visualize the entire project from beginning to end. This is especially helpful for the construction project owner. It can then be utilized as a communication tool for the various stakeholders during the pre-planning phase. Besides visualizing, 5D BIM provides for a better schedule and cost estimate before the start of the project. It integrates the planning of equipment, human, and material resources. This is accomplished by through thorough project analysis and planning.

5D BIM helps the contractor to manage expectations.

For each activity, the contractor can see the cost, schedule, and 3D model for each project component. The banks, for example, release funding based on milestones and requirements. Modeling allows the owner to supply to the banks what is needed to move forward. An immediate added benefit is managing money, incomes, and expenses, which is high priority for risk management during a construction project.

Problems can be solved from the office.

5D BIM modeling allows problems to be addressed without access to the construction site. And it can be accomplished in real time. All major components, which are the 3D model, cost, and schedule, are easily accessible. Because all stakeholders can access all information at all times, the process can cut down on any unnecessary communication with the designers, architects, and builders. It makes for a much more effective and efficient project.

Problems can be foreseen before they happen at the construction site.

5D BIM can help communicate complex details by turning a thousand-line gantt chart into a 3D model. The modeling helps with complex sequencing that prevents various issues, and offers real-time problem solving along with providing resolutions to constructability issues. By offering a multilayered model, it can help determine how certain systems should be installed. It offers information on, for example, the interaction between pipes, wires, and various components, so it is easier to foresee problems.

Preventing delays that affect the project is invaluable.

As many of the problems become foreseeable, delays are less likely to occur. It can be extremely beneficial both for managing people and materials in the field in real time. This involves time-related data which can be linked to various informational model components.
At AEC, we understand the complexity of 5D BIM modeling. The benefits far outweigh the time and skill it takes to integrate this modeling. Please contact us at info@aeccm.com for more information.

Without downplaying the effects of the pandemic, expert construction schedulers have developed the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and manage risk and maximize opportunities long before this pandemic started. An adept construction management staff is capable of determining risk and assessing the overall extent of cost and time impacts that every project has experienced to some extent over the last year – a skilled construction professional can help to ensure that you continue to manage your risk and bottom line while maintaining a safe working environment throughout the construction process. Here are some of the challenges we are encountering, and how to prepare for them.

Supply chain delays.

The supply chain has been challenged across numerous industries, which has impacted and continues to impact construction projects. All project teams, whether Ownership or project level, should work toward locking in orders and understanding the potential challenges of getting them to the construction site in a timely manner. Often suppliers can only estimate delivery times, so anticipate delivery delays and forecast appropriately to allow enough time to prevent construction delays. Consider any buffer in your schedule and how to best avoid the ripple effect of delays. Considering different supplier options can open opportunities to shift access to material.

Increased cost.

As supply chains become increasingly challenged and other options are considered, increasing material costs will require important decision making regarding cost vs time. This could result from other material options, expedited shipping, and supply/demand price fluctuation. Anticipating COVID-19–related cost increases involves understanding supplier contracts and their terms, including termination and changes. Another larger expense line that has become a moving target is labor cost. Anticipating illness, mandatory paid sick leave, and labor costs during further delays is crucial, and it’s important that you quickly and accurately assess any construction impacts incurred as a result of these unprecedented times.

Suspension of work.

Suspension of construction projects is always a risk you must mitigate. In the case of the COVID-19, pandemic–related work suspensions need to be anticipated on the local, regional, state, or even federal level as government agencies craft ordinances. Construction scheduling helps us plan for anticipated consequences and weigh various options. Access to labor due to illnesses, hotspots, and outbreaks may result in the suspension of work as health directives dictate project responses.

Local and state mandates.

Sophisticated construction scheduling can help mitigate the risk even in times of uncertainty as we anticipate daily changes and constantly work to plan around these challenges. It is pertinent to acknowledge that there will be changes. Taking forewarnings of anticipated shutdowns or limiting movement of labor seriously and planning as best as we can are ways to understand the consequences as well as the solutions. Planning helps project managers to be proactive instead of reacting to mandated changes after the fact when your project has already been delayed.

Program and project disruption.

Planning helps managers to prepare for various causes of disruption. From supply chain to labor uncertainty and cost to time management, a crisis impacts an entire construction project plan. While we anticipate that the project might be executed less efficiently during a pandemic, a well-thought-out and strategically planned approach will help to bring clarity to the project and get it to completion.

Contact the experts at AEC Construction Management for more information on construction project management and scheduling during COVID-19.

It’s a myth that construction scheduling is only needed when problems arise. Construction project scheduling is most valuable when implemented early. It starts when the project is in the design phase and continues through a project’s close-out and resolution of project disputes. Scheduling is intended to minimize and therefore mitigate risk overall. It helps the project to run as smoothly as possible by demonstrating a workable plan to successfully complete the project. And it serves to provide accurate and useful documentation along the way. 

Here are several reasons why scheduling is essential to a construction project’s success.

Procurement sequences.

It is absolutely essential to optimize the procurement sequences within your construction project schedule. Procurement scheduling ensures the timely arrival of project components. It tracks this process, and it addresses the critical aspect in the schedule when products and materials need to be available. 

Timely completion.

Construction project scheduling assists the timely completion of work activities. When executed properly, the schedule helps the project to avoid potential delays. The schedule outlines the plan from the project design phase to the pre-construction phase. It communicates the project plan throughout construction and into the post-construction phase. Time is money, and mitigating the risk of delay directly correlates to budget and profit margins.

Communication and accountability.

The construction project schedule communicates the overall plan and associated risks amongst all project participants – owner, architect, consultants, general contractor, and subcontractors. A professional schedule improves the overall communication among the various stakeholders. It smoothly transitions and emphasizes everyone’s responsibilities. This process fosters accountability throughout the project duration.

Customized reporting.

All projects are different and a successful construction schedule will need to reflect that. Every stakeholder needs their data in different ways and for different purposes. AEC uses experience and expertise to develop custom, tailored reporting that can organize, filter, and sort the schedule in any way that is needed to successfully communicate the project plan. These reports need to be accessible and understandable from the boardroom to the construction site. 

Pricing and efficiency.

Construction project scheduling has the benefit of increased efficiencies. An optimized plan and schedule may consequently improve subcontractor pricing. Keeping the construction project on track will help mitigate the risk of going over budget. It will avoid causing unnecessary delays in work activities and procurement.   

Risk mitigation.

Ideally potential problems can be identified before they occur. A construction project schedule does not only schedule daily activities but can plan for and around any foreseeable problems. It offers the opportunity to resolve problems before they occur. It mitigates potential risks that will delay the construction project. Mitigating risks helps to prevent budget overruns. 

Mitigating delays.

The construction project may be small scale or large scale. Mitigating delays to the construction project is the key to a successful completion. The project schedule gives clarity of the status of various design, procurement and construction activities. When potential delays are identified and communicated early, project participants are able to be proactive to maintain project goals and avoid reacting to issues as they arise in the field. These processes are needed to keep the project on track and to maintain a timely completion. 

Change orders.

Changes during various construction phases are inevitable. But properly managing changes within the schedule offers the best chances of minimizing the impact on the schedule. A professional and dynamic project schedule helps manage potential consequent change orders. The schedule reporting and analysis communicates any impact to the project to the various stakeholders in real time. They can then adjust the schedule accordingly and get everyone back on track.

Claims and liquidated damages.

During the post-construction phase, a highly detailed and customized schedule that has been properly managed mitigates risks and helps avoid paying claims and liquidated damages. It provides a forensic history to all aspects of the project. Any claims and damages can be mitigated with accurate and factual documentation. The construction schedule becomes the most powerful risk mitigation tool.

At AEC we provide a forward thinking approach to construction scheduling using the latest industry-proven technology and procedures. Keeping our clients’ projects on track has helped save countless dollars and work hours while preventing surprises at the end of the day. Contact us for a free consultation at aeccm.com.

In the world of construction management, the construction scheduling consultant assesses the project as well as the overall program to forge a plan. The consultant informs the entire process from the design phase through the construction phase and the forensics after everything is said and done. 

The construction scheduling consultant  becomes an integral part of the construction project’s success by offering advice and experience on what may have been overlooked along the way. The consultant focuses on risk mitigation from quality and cost management to time management. 

We founded AEC as a niche provider of construction scheduling to support our clients’ construction project management functions. Our highly experienced and nationally recognized team consists of experts in their fields with extensive backgrounds in construction throughout numerous markets and project sizes. Our principals together have well over 35 years of experience.

Our team has successfully scheduled projects in justice, government, health care, education, commercial & residential, transportation, and water & energy. We are an agile and adaptable team who interjects a forward-thinking mindset into our clients’ team dynamic. 

We thrive to meet our clients’ construction project management goals without veering off the path. Our clients are looking to us to mitigate their risk and keep their multimillion- or billion-dollar construction projects on track, planned out, and scheduled. Our clients look to us to mediate any construction project management challenges and provide customized solutions for any situation.

Our approach to construction project management has always been the board-room ready consultant with boots on the ground at the construction site. We are hands-on both on and off the construction site. Our clients gain a construction scheduling consultant who understands the concerns and goals of all stakeholders, from the owner to the project lead and the prime contractor. We keep our clients’ bigger picture in mind always. 

Here are the top five reasons our clients call upon us for construction scheduling consulting.

Uniqueness of project.

No matter how many construction projects we have managed, every project has its unique goals and challenges. All projects require a unique approach. We always consider the overall construction program as well as the integrant details. We mitigate risks and foresee trends and challenges. At any given time and during any construction phase, we monitor the progress and results of the construction project, timelines, and results. We understand that change is inevitable and success is in adjusting and adapting the schedule in real-time.

Anticipating needs.

Our clients’ risk management starts in the design phase and often comes down to the needs and unknowns. We join their team early on during project planning to understand the project and analyze its needs. Through a forward-thinking approach, our team creates a plan and consequent schedule to fill in any anticipated needs. We onboard our clients to a highly customized software that flags any potential challenges and risks. 

Managing out of scope.

It is common for construction projects to go out of scope. While it might be inevitable, ideally we can plan and schedule ahead to anticipate potential consequences. We advise our clients in best practices to keep the construction project running smoothly despite any challenges. We mitigate risk of quality, management, and time management. We help manage the stakeholders’ expectations and mediate as needed. Communication is most important. 

Forensics risk management.

During the post construction phase, the forensics are an essential part of understanding how the construction project progressed. Our clients look to us to inform any potential claims, out-of-scope billings, and dispute reporting. Legal proceedings can be avoided by laying out a comprehensive timeline of events and the costs associated with any delays or challenges that were unforeseeable.

Customized software solution.

AEC has always taken a technology-forward approach to construction. Construction project management software brings much-needed technology to the construction site and digitizes the process. It helps bridge the gap between the boardroom and the events that happen on the ground. All stakeholders have access to the latest real-time information that supports the current construction phase. 

The construction scheduling consultant is the back office to manage the construction schedule while keeping the goals of the program in mind. Mitigating risk is always the biggest concern for any major construction project. A niche service like AEC Construction Management ticks off the top priorities in scheduling to mitigate as much risk as possible.