Why Firm Owners Should Invest in BIM Professional Courses for Civil Engineers

The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is a dynamic enabler in creating settlements, developing spaces, building social and cultural zones, and so much more. While this is a thriving time for the construction industry, the industry remains one of the least digitised segments of the economy. And that’s something to think about right? 

However, the winds of progress are powering the sails of the AEC industry. Realising the burgeoning potential of digital transformation, the utilisation of technology is soaring. The global value of IoT in the construction market was $7.8 billion in 2019 and grew to $16.8 billion by 2023 at a CAGR of 16.5%.

Growth has been at an all-time high for the construction sector despite taking the pandemic hit. But with the technological shapeshift, there are many tasks and issues on the daily checklist of a Civil Engineering firm owner.  

There are several challenges that civil engineering firm owners face while operating their businesses. These include increased competition, cyclical technology and innovation surges, reduced operational efficiency, inefficient workflows, and more. To transform into a tech-driven organised sector, the AEC industry will need to immerse itself in innovative approaches and use technology strategically. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is one such approach that is helping the civil engineering industry to overcome its challenges.

Let’s now discuss the challenges that civil engineering firm owners face, the benefits of BIM for owners, and how the BIM course for civil engineers offered by Novatr can help them.

Read More : Using BIM in Civil Engineering

Challenges Faced By Civil Engineering Firm Owners

Facing hurdles as a firm owner is understandable. With a cut-throat market outside the window, additional challenges can make firm owners flip through pages looking for a solution. Let’s now explore the common hurdles:

1. Shortage of Skilled Staff and Inefficient Workflows

The shortage of skilled workers is a growing concern in the AEC industry, which is only getting worse with time. With a productive workforce and optimised workflows, firm owners can set up efficient construction processes. However, the lack of resources, inefficient workflows, and ever-evolving job opportunities in the market make achieving targets and optimal processes seem far-fetched.

2. Challenges in Organisational Adoption

Adopting change and implementing strong leadership is a major concern for a firm owner. An organisation can only reap the benefits of innovation when it’s prepared to adjust frameworks, facilitate implementation processes, address challenges and replan workflows. Redesigning processes and restructuring operations can be challenging for firm owners. 

3. Innovation and the Future

Construction and engineering firms refrain from implementing innovations in projects due to financial constraints. This reluctance hampers efficiency but using innovations is crucial for staying competitive. In order to stay a step ahead, adapting to this digital revolution is critical.

4. Forthcoming Era of Sustainable Construction

The concept and execution of sustainable construction is painting towns green, creating a meaningful impact on the environment. However, long supply lines, poor practices, unsustainable materials, high energy use, etc., are some environmental problems we are yet to conquer with the advancing technologies and methodologies. These can stand as significant hurdles in the coming years if solutions are not thought through.

5. Increasing land costs due to unavailability

Land costs are subjected to fluctuations that can be estimated only with analytical prediction. With a growing population and uncertainty on our maps, accurate forecasting is pivotal for the construction industry. Firm owners need data and precise analysis to tackle such challenges in years to come. 

6. Lack of organisation, processes, and decision-making data

Nurturing and growing a sustainable business is challenging, especially when businesses are operating manually and with limited resources. For growing exponentially and efficiently, better project management, data transparency, optimised processes, and more, are necessary. 

Common struggles like detecting clashes, precise data analysis, and reviewing projects, often lead to project delays that ultimately cause losses for firm owners. 

According to the US Department of Commerce, construction and contracting businesses have one of the highest failure rates, stemming from poor operations. Around 96% of these companies fail before they can exist for even a decade. While these challenges are an existential issue for firm owners in the construction industry, there is always light at the end of the tunnel!

Read More : What Kind of BIM Skills Companies are looking in Civil Engineers in 2023

How Taking Up BIM Course for Civil Engineers Can Help Firm Owners?

With innumerable benefits of BIM courses for civil engineers, there is no scope for clashes, complicated procedures, project delays, etc. Let’s explore the benefits of BIM for owners in detail:

1. Reduced Data-Prep Time

The ‘building’ in BIM can be misleading and throw anyone off. But BIM can optimise infrastructure projects like highways, bridges, roads, etc. Novatr helps you with learning BIM, which will teach you to create a direct data flow between design, construction, and maintenance. Something that is much needed to optimise workflows in firms. Manual data extraction is tedious and time-consuming, and BIM allows firms to extract data effortlessly. This eliminates the need for a dedicated workforce for model creation. Novatr trains you in software like AutoCAD, Revit, and Dynamo that helps you with design and data prep, making design processes easier.

2. Tracking Project Progress

While the positives of BIM in the design phase are widely understood, its competency to analyse on-site progress makes it a tech for the future. Novatr helps you with BIM training and its implementation in construction firms. Our detailed training in Bluebeam Revu facilitates seamless data transfer between offices and sites throughout the project lifecycle. The data sharing enables real-time updates for on-site personnel, ensuring accuracy and efficiency while avoiding construction and design discrepancies. Our assistance in BIM360 and BIM Track helps professionals carry out colossal calculations and evaluate project performance with on-site data analysis through BIM.

3. Precise Quantitative Takeoffs

Amidst skyrocketing expenditure, BIM comes to the rescue by generating highly precise cost estimates by conducting digital quantity takeoffs. The cost estimates eliminate tedious manual calculations and data analysis from drawings. Novatr helps you specialise in software like Staad Pro in BIM and can be utilised in creating integrated models that provide accurate data, that ultimately simplify cost prediction and estimation.

4. Collaboration and Timely deliveries

Novatr helps you understand working with the RIBA framework along with BIM software that optimises collaboration and project deliveries. Collaborating via BIM is advantageous as it reduces manual efforts for all involved stakeholders. The ability of BIM to share, monitor and analyse precise details about on-site work among teams reduces the requirement for manual data handling and eliminates redundancy. Our course helps you learn BIM processes and software that can be employed in streamlining project coordination and catalysing faster project deliveries, helping firm owners fight tight schedules in the construction processes.

5. Fixing Clashes Before Construction

Mistakes and on-site alterations during project execution are unavoidable. But preventable errors, that cause schedule delays and budget inflation, can be looked into. Novatr trains you in BIM and software like Revit, Civil 3D, Dynamo, and Navisworks that utilises BIM clash detection to one’s advantage. Firm owners can proactively prevent such issues and avoid overlooking details. This approach identifies errors in advance, resulting in saving money, time, and building materials. Ultimately, BIM benefits the owners bottom line through various savings. 

Read More : Top 7 Emerging Trends in Civil Engineering to Look Out For

Applications of BIM

Reports suggest that BIM has increased productivity from 75% to 240%. Making use of BIM benefits like clash detection, increased productivity, cost reduction, etc, countries have been turning to adopt BIM increasingly. 

1. Use of BIM in current Government construction plans

Think of a one-of-a-kind tallest and longest-spanning bridge in North India. This bridge is a vital component of the Baramulla-Srinagar-Udhamptur railway in Northern India. Running across the Chenab River, this government project has been constructed using BIM. Other projects like the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport have been constructed using BIM modelling. This project employed BIM in detecting clashes and generating walkthroughs to make processes more efficient. 

2. Use of BIM during the Tender Stage

Multiple surveys led to the coalition of benefits that BIM can serve us with. It has been found that BIM is beneficial to contractors receiving geometrical models during the tender stage in the following order: 

• Minimising risks
• Clash detection and Interrogating design
• Optimising buildability and Analysing construction sequencing
• Efficient cost reduction 

3. Use of BIM in new highway and infrastructure projects

BIM is being globally adopted when it comes to public infrastructure projects due to its competency to enhance project deliveries and efficiency. From road and bridge construction, BIM becomes one of the most promising tools that contributes towards project goals via software that further aids advancement in design, engineering, and construction. Examples of such projects are Bharatmala Pariyojana in India, Queensferry Crossing in the UK, New Champlain Bridge in Canada, etc. 

The applications of Building Information Modelling are catalysing BIM adoption which ultimately surges the demand for BIM-skilled professionals. This is where enrolling in a BIM civil engineering course is what might benefit you as a firm owner and as an industry expert.

Read More: 6 Best Courses for Civil Engineers to upskill

BIM And Novatr

Building Information Modelling or BIM can be the tool that solves it all for the firm owners. From reframing business processes to making efficient construction businesses. Read on to explore the benefits of BIM for owners and how it can be the tool that they have been waiting for. 

Novatr offers a BIM Professional Course for Civil Engineers that assists civil firm owners with tech-first BIM skills and processes. These can help owners optimise construction processes within their organisation. Let’s now explore how our course will benefit civil firm owners with BIM.

Read More: In Demand Jobs and Salaries using BIM Expertise in Civil Engineering (2023)

Conclusion

Adopting BIM in the field of civil engineering is prominently transformative. BIM comes forth as a futuristic and indispensable tool that can overcome challenges faced by a civil engineering firm owner. BIM simplifies intricate tasks and optimises project results. In today’s day and age where BIM is taking over construction processes, adopting a new technology can be overwhelming for a firm owner. With pragmatic BIM adoption comes the thought of learning and upskilling from credible resources that not only assist you in understanding BIM but equip you as a successful practitioner in a competitive space. Knowing the benefits of BIM for owners helps one understand the need to upskill with BIM courses for civil engineers.

Novatr is a platform where we not only transform career paths but also revolutionise construction processes for civil firm owners, keeping them ahead of the game. While we are on a mission to disrupt the AEC industry and bring tech-first practices to play, we also strive to revolutionise construction processes for firm owners and civil professionals. Stay at the forefront of innovation through our BIM Course for Civil Engineers and don't miss the beat!