Project info

In 2021, we undertook a collaborative BIM consultancy project for Equans, aiming to improve their geometric coordination through their projects.  This engagement saw our team of BIM specialists, architects, and engineers work closely with Equans’s experts to develop a standardized and robust BIM workflow. Leveraging software like Revit, Navisworks, and Solibri, the project established a comprehensive system for achieving efficient and clash-free construction delivery.

Client brief info

Equans, a leading company in engineering services, has a team of 6,000 experts across 29 locations in the Netherlands. They focus on innovative and sustainable solutions in technology and digital areas, aiming to help clients in utilities, industry, and government.

The Challenge

The primary challenge was to unify Equans’s diverse working methodologies, ensuring overall satisfaction with the new standards. This involved consolidating various methods into a singular, optimal workflow that covered all bases from project beginning to completion. The aim was to create a detailed guide that included standard procedures for identifying restricted areas, managing openings, setting software guidelines, clash detection, and more, not only focusing on the modeling part of the geometric coordination but also focusing on collaboration from the start with templates to make project decisions about openings, opening free zones, and specific MEP decisions.

The Approach

We used a collaborative and cyclical approach to achieve the desired outcomes:

1. In-Depth Interviews: We initiated the project with in-depth interviews with Equans’s experts to understand their existing workflows, goals, and challenges. This facilitated the identification of common ground for a unified approach.
2. All-encompassing Needs Assessment: Based on the interviews, we carefully evaluated all elements needed for effective geometrical coordination within the BIM framework.‍
3. Standardized Documentation: We created detailed documentation outlining the BIM workflow, encompassing user guides, standardized forms, and clearly defined rulesets for various software applications
4. Client Review and Feedback: The entire documentation package underwent thorough review and testing by Equans’s team. Their feedback was actively included throughout the process to ensure a user-friendly and effective final outcome.
5. Optimization and Delivery: Following feedback implementation, we improved the documentation and delivered a comprehensive package, including a clear and concise work instruction.

The Outcome

Equans now benefits from a structured BIM workflow that facilitates efficient and clash-free construction project delivery. They possess a standardized approach applicable across all projects, along with the necessary tools and documentation for streamlined implementation, they also include tailor-made rulesets, appearance profilers, and scripting for an automated process. This tailor-made solution ensures a smooth transition and empowers Equans with the necessary resources to achieve optimal project outcomes.

Key Improvements:

• Standardized BIM Workflow: Unified approach for consistent project execution. ‍
• Clash-Free Delivery: Minimized rework due to early identification and resolution of design discrepancies.
• ‍Enhanced Collaboration: Clear communication and seamless teamwork throughout the construction process. ‍
• Efficiency: Saving time and money with preset rulesets, appearance profilers, and scripts to automize where possible. ‍
• Improved Project Predictability: Optimized workflow for better project control and cost management.

This project exemplifies our commitment to developing innovative solutions that empower clients like Equans to achieve their construction goals.