BIM Reloaded: How Purpose Can Define Scope

Technology is changing how we live our lives and how we do our work.  As we are able to work faster, we also begin to naturally do more work.  The key is to remain focused on the work that is vital and not get lost in a sea of data that is meaningless and wastes time.  Through the process of modeling a building based on the design scope, there can easily be a lot of time wasted towards pointless content that serves no purpose to anyone else in the development of the project.  Building Information Modeling is a great tool as long as the Information does not grow out of control.  Plugging back into The Matrix, Agent Smith gives an interesting speech in The Matrix Reloaded[1] that can serve as a defining point in Building Information Modeling.  Agent Smith had been destroyed by Mr. Anderson, yet he still existed.  When he first appears to Mr. Anderson in the courtyard, he starts to speak about Purpose.

Agent Smith: “There is no denying purpose, because we both know without purpose, we would not exist.  It is purpose that created us.  Purpose that connects us.  Purpose that pulls us. That guides us. That drives us.  It is purpose that defines us. Purpose that binds us.”

Keep in mind that Agent Smith is referring to an artificial world where programs and humans populate it, so there really is not a direct relationship to Building Information Modeling that is intended.  As we begin to model buildings through their life cycle, it is important to remember the purpose of the work being performed.  What information does the Designer need?  What information does the Contractor need?  What information does the Facility Engineer need?  It is this Purpose that needs to define what content is included and how it is carried out.  Otherwise, we may find ourselves like Neo, trapped under a pile of Agent Smiths.

If we are not careful, we can overwhelm a building model where too much information clouds out the pertinent information.  How can we begin to provide clarity in a model through the different needs of the users of that model?  How can we avoid duplication of work and data entry?  With a standard Master Library of Shared Parameters in play, content may be shared across companies that will communicate the data without requiring duplicate entries.  Information begins to communicate across model elements that can then provide system performance and aid in the retrieval of that information.

In order to fight back this increasing swarm of information and work, we have to go to the source.  The purpose must define our objectives.  Otherwise, we will find ourselves lost in a continuous loop, doomed to repeat the same laborious tasks over and over to no avail.

-Craig
www.ModelingDynamics.net

[1] The Matrix Reloaded, The Wachowski Brothers, Keanu Reeves, Hugo Weaving, 2003