I have been a part of many project BIM Coordination team over the years. While much of it is similar from project to project, the one thing that always changes are the personalities of the team. I have seen the reputation of a Contractor degrade before they ever set foot on the site. How?
In most cases, the BIM Coordination effort takes place prior to any work being done on site. This means the individual that is coordinating the project for the contractor is the first impression of the company. Decisions that are made in these meetings involve the General Contractor, Architects, Engineers, other Trade Contractors and Owners. There are several situations that arise during the coordination process that can “test the metal” of an individual:
- Working with others to coordinate conflicts
- Assisting in issuing required RFI’s
- Keeping up with coordination schedules
- Dealing with “challenging personalities” among the team
- Communicating with others in a cooperative manner in difficult situations
Many have the technical skills to carry out the coordination effort, but as you can see from the list above, professional communication skills are every bit as important as these technical skills.
I was recently speaking with one of my partners, Sidewinder Electric, regarding upcoming projects and my need to staff appropriately. The Owner, Todd Riehle, shared this with me…
…if it’s in the specs, I’m definitely sold on Jigsaw Solutions! It’s you and the way you handle yourself that makes your company successful, and I hope you can find someone that has your same views!
This really made me feel that I was being successful in setting myself apart from others providing similar services. I have been in the industry for over 25 years and have always prided myself on the ability to work well with others, create and maintain strong working relationships, and contribute the success of the design team and project.
If you would like to partner with someone for your BIM Coordination needs, or to assist your current staff we look forward to hearing from you!
Related topic: BIM Outsourcing helps Small to Mid-Sized Contractors Compete