Technology is slowly beginning to play a larger role in the construction industry. One of the innovations causing a buzz is building information modeling -  a process involving the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. The technology is often used to drive efficiency throughout a construction project, such as ensuring work schedules and materials orders are accurate, said the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

What challenges does BIM address?
This type of design-construction software allows construction managers to forecast how the project will progress, which makes it easier to understand when the project will need to be altered during the process. With revisions taking place in the computer, downtime is often reduced and collaboration between the construction firm and the site owner is smoother. BIM is a virtual presentation of the project, making the management of the entire operation easier than ever before, said the news source.

West Michigan firms slow to adopt
After understanding the benefits provided by BIM, it is hard to believe that more construction firms aren't taking advantage of the solution. According to a recent article for MiBiz, many firms throughout Western Michigan have yet to look into BIM or begin a migration to the technological innovation. 

The news source reported a high cost of entry and an extensive learning curve is causing many firms to look past BIM and move their companies to other types of technology. However, despite these concerns, Scott Veine, project manager and director of sustainability at Grand Rapids-based Pioneer Construction,  told the source the investment has been worth it for his firm.

“It makes us more efficient and accurate in the field,” Veine told the news source. “The biggest question from clients is: ‘How much has BIM saved you on change orders?’ The answer is I don’t know because we’re able to avoid change orders altogether. That’s been critical.”

Purchasing a BIM solution can also lead to better productivity, document coordination and faster delivery when it comes to construction projects. Construction managers with these solutions get better efficiency throughout the life of a project, which can improve the bottom line of any company, said the source.