The construction world is characterized by a linear lifecycle, in which there are a series of well-established phases, declined in relation to the specific regulatory context, which can be schematized as follows: Designand Bidding, Pre-construction, Procurement, Execution, Commissioning & Owner Occupation, Project Closeout.
Moreover, even before the Design & Bidding phase, there is often a Conceptualization phase, useful to begin to “probe” the expectations of the customer. At first glance, this process is difficult to change, not least because one certainly cannot think of building the roof of a dwelling unless the foundations and the different characterizing plans have been built.
This aspect suggests dealing with Agile in the world of construction by thinking about two operational momentsof reference, Design and Construction, which are declined on specific (meta) phases supported by a series of workflows and operative practices that give life to the AgileBIM toolkit.
In accordance with the AgileConstellation modular approach, the AgileBIM "star” adds 3 new domain bubblesto validate the sustainability of the solution: Authorities, Contractors and Constraints.
In the AgileBIM Poster it is highlighted how the operational heart of the toolkit is focused on what are called Metaphases, the reference "container phases" that allow to group the progress of the works by macro-objective. AgileBIM includes 6 operative metaphases: Feasibility (Inception), Concept Design, Developed Design, Technical Design, Transition and Construction, structurally supported by the Common Data Environment (CDE) provided by the reference legislation for BIM. Thanks to the CDE it is possible to collect, manage and exchange the model, the non-graphical data and the documentation, facilitating the collaborationand helping to avoid duplication and errors.
The metaphases from first to fourth realize the design, which is created in an iterative and incremental way, making the essence of the LOD (Level of Details): it goes from the first "digital sketches" to a meticulous representation of the work that will be realized. This allows the customer to "immerse themselves" in it (also through mixed reality tools) and suggest/request changes through targeted and timely feedback. In the construction metaphase, Agile and Lean are used to develop effective communication, and constant alignment, among all the professionals involved, favoring adaptive governance, thanks also to tools that enable a quick and updated view of the progress of the work. The transition of work from design to construction takes place thanks to the transition metaphase.
Although specific metaphases are referred to, it is essential to maintain a management approach, and where possible operational, guided by system thinking, without falling into the trap of local optimization. At the base of this aspect there is the ability to identify appropriate operational workflows, in the specific implementation phases, supported by multidisciplinary teams (Architect, Structuralist, Plant Engineer, etc.) able to carry out all the activities planned for the development of the different works. The digital twin model, thus obtained, is passed to the Construction (meta) team that, taking advantage of more Lean oriented operating models, can efficiency the effective construction activities of the work.
In this regard, AgileBIM introduces the concept of Metateam, that is, a multidisciplinary working group able to follow the entire cycle of realization of the work: from conception to construction. We talk about metateam because the composition of the team is very dynamic, without prejudice to a common core during the different metaphases. The metateam, regardless of the reference metaphase, organizes its work based on the process called FluidProcess, which finds its basis in the hybrid scrumban approach and materializes in the following flow:
In it, the holistic vision is raced thanks to the Agile Project Manager (APM), which supports the different metateams and professionals in the specific metaphases, and the AgileBIM Coach, whose focus is on taking metateams in the adoption of AgileBIM, stimulates it in the continuous experiment of new improvementoptions, both approach and product.
AgileBIM, in short, allows to obtain concrete benefits, among which are highlighted:
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- Greater and more organizational flexibility, thanks to tools that encourage communication and transparency.
- Improved operational efficiency, being the project divided into a series of works and artifacts made by a multidisciplinary metateam.
- Simplified management of dependencies, thanks to an integrated development between the different metaphases and the different actors involved.
- Increased predictability, thanks to the use of effective metrics for continuous improvement.
- Reduction of delays, thanks to a focus on value activities and their timed management in relation to the processing phases.
- Customer satisfaction, thanks to a constant alignment able to generate quick and timely feedback.
