Forums >> General Discussion >> Revit Project Management >> new to BIM - how to manage staff roles????

archytect

active

Joined: Tue, Feb 8, 2011
1 Posts
No Rating

I have a quick but important question, how is BIM used in small-sized architectural firms?  Does the Architect use BIM or do they describe what is needed through sketches (whether hand drawn or with CAD)?  Any resources out there for how to define new staff roles with this new tool?   Being that the software is so expensive, we can only afford 2 seats for our 12 person firm, and so we are trying to determine a strategy for workflow  and it is not easy!!!

Thanks!

This user is offline

WWHub

site moderator|||

Joined: Tue, May 16, 2006
13079 Posts

We are a little over double your size and we started Revit about 4+ years ago. We were lucky because our owners fully backed a full transition to Revit.  You reeally need a complete buy-in because half 7 half just doesn't work altough you will find that you may do that some initially.

We have found that we want to use Revit from start to end now.  Even 2D drawing in Revit is easier than in CAD but if you restrict yourself to 2D sketching, you are missing the power of the program.

If you can identify two staff members initially to be adequately trained and then for them to use Revit on small projects to develop your process, that will work.  But these staff need to be pushed to fully learn Revit and not "fall back" on CAD when they run into problems.  That will happen initially and there will be a real temptation to use CAD "to get the job done" but if you do that, I think you will fail to convert.

Good luck... We are very happy nthat we made the change and we will never go back.

This user is offline

itsmyalterego

active

Joined: Thu, May 28, 2009
829 Posts

Our head architect/s don't know revit.  They still draw by hand, and are happy to keep working that way.  So, us drafters get conceptual sketches to start with, and the next rounds of design are traced off of rough views we print out from revit.  It goes back and forth with the trace paper and printouts for awhile. 

Seems win-win to me, the registered architects still get to draw by hand, which is fun, and the drafters get to build away and problem-solve with relative autonomy.  

Also, the principals don't have time to learn Revit.  And that's fine.  I'm trying to get them familiar with flying around in 3D views though, so some really rudimentary questions/printing can be done without assistance.  

Our Office of 10 now has 5 floating Revit licenses.   Our firm's makeup is:  2 with good skills, 2 moderately skilled, and 3 who are at about the break-even point of doing more good than harm to a model while they learn.  within the last two months we've made a full commitment to Revit.  5 projects are moving forward in revit while nothing new is starting in cad.  Old projects are just phasing out now.  And good riddance to them. 

Another tip -- discourage the perception that revit is just a 3D modeling tool.  Like falling back on cad, people will fall back on sketchup.

This user is offline

Seeking BIM Manager Position - Soon to be laid off from current position.

0

BIM and Revit Training and Immersion Program Reform Resource Questions.

2

What BIM course should I apply for? I already use BIM for 7 years.

1

Manage Content OpenAsset BIM add on

1

Can't Remove File from BIM 360

0