The BIM4SMEs group has restructured its organisation to “deliver the BIM Level 2 agenda for 2016 and beyond” and continue informing, assisting and educating SMEs to engage and work in the digital built environment.
The group has plans to extend its regional “BIM Clinics” events for SMEs, and also to continue to publish practical, step-by-step guidance for SMEs on preparing their business systems for Level 2 BIM.
Speaking to BIM+ Tim Platts, chair of BIM4SMEs, said: “We still have a long way to go with the SME community. We have an ever increasing agenda and ambitious plans for the year ahead. To continue we need to make sure we are sustainable and maintain momentum. To do this we need a well articulated structure.”
Platts continued: “The formalisation of our structure will let us provide governance and put us in a better position to cope with the ambitious structure we have set ourselves. It is also important that people see we have a proper structure and a proper thought process.”
The group, made up of 28 volunteers from different sectors within the construction industry, now has a clearer structure with key members having defined roles and taking on responsibility for leading on specific tasks.
Alongside Platts, the leadership team consists of:
- Raj Chawla and Andrew Turner who act as vice-chairs of the organization.
- Steve Faulkner, associate director at engineer Elliott Wood, will be responsible for joint events and awards.
- Terry Gough, formerly BIM Champion at Kent County Council, will look after education and training.
- Jon Frost, BIM leader at BWB consulting, will organise BIM clinics.
- Robert Klaschka, director of digital built environment at SUMO Services, will act as communications officer.
- Johnathan Munkley, BIM director at WYG Frost, is also in the management team.
In addition, three new “core members” have joined the group: David Craggs, BIM manager at DKS architects; Marc Warren, technology manager at Niven Architects; and Craig Muldoon, pre-construction manager at Howard Russell Construction.
Ongoing initiatives from the group include the RICS-backed BIM4SME awards, due to run for the second time this year, and the “Super KTP” research project looking at how a virtual project operating strictly to Level 2 BIM standards and protocols works in practice.
In a statement Platts said: “Since its inception in 2012 and formal launch with the support of UK BIM Task Group, BIS, CIC and the Cabinet Office in 2013, the group has constantly taken a view to act always to serve the SME, and debunk the hyper/cyber myth of BIM.
“It is important to the group that this is done in a clear, simple and effective way right across the spectrum of the supply chain and construction disciplines as evidenced in the make-up of the group. At no point has it rested on its laurels and the group continues to pursue an ever-increasing and ambitious agenda to support the broader agenda through the BIM4SME vision and mission for Level 2 and beyond.”
The formalisation of our structure will let us provide governance and put us in a better position to cope with the ambitious structure we have set ourselves. It is also important that people see we have a proper structure and a proper thought process.– Tim Platts, chair, BIM4SMEs
