We often describe BIM as a technical challenge. We focus on software, standards, and data formats. But after talking with Mariel Gutierrez<\/a>, a BIM consultant and architect<\/a> in Stuttgart, Germany, I was reminded that the biggest obstacle isn\u2019t technology; it\u2019s communication.<\/p>\n Mariel describes herself not just as a BIM expert but as a \u201ctranslator.\u201d She is fluent in the languages of architects, engineers, clients, and contractors, viewing her role as bridging the gap between these disconnected stakeholders.<\/p>\n A major theme in our conversation, and something Mariel has written about recently<\/a>, is the skepticism coming from owners. Before a project even starts, investors often ask her: \u201cWhy should I do BIM? The only ones benefiting are the designers. For me, it just costs more.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n She admits they have a point. Too often, the \u201cloop breaks\u201d the moment a project is handed over. The rich data generated during design becomes static and sinks into project folders, never contributing to the building\u2019s actual operation.<\/p>\n This leads to the \u201ctick-box\u201d trap I see so often. Clients demand BIM because they feel they have to, but they lack a strategy for it. \u201cThey take all 20 use cases from the German standard,\u201d Mariel told me. \u201cAnd then they complain that BIM is expensive. Well, sure, if you want to buy everything on the menu, you have to pay for it.\u201d<\/p>\n We spent a lot of time discussing the gap between the construction phase and the building\u2019s lifecycle. Mariel pointed out that while there are plenty of standards and research for planning and construction, there is \u201calmost nothing\u201d about what happens after construction is finished.<\/p>\n There is a notable difference between an \u201cAs-Built\u201d model, which includes the geometric details of construction, and an \u201cAsset Information Model,\u201d which contains the data necessary to operate the facility. Currently, the industry struggles to switch from one to the other, handing over complex geometry when facility managers need accessible, accurate data.<\/p>\n When we talked about the rise of AI tools, Mariel was both realistic and doubtful. She admits to using AI daily, but she worries the industry is repeating the same \u201chype\u201d cycle seen in BIM\u2019s early days.<\/p>\n She was especially critical of legacy software vendors who use AI as a marketing ploy. She recalled a recent presentation by a major software provider that highlighted AI-generated renderings, a feature she considered unnecessary, since specialized tools already perform it better.<\/p>\n For Mariel, the real issue isn\u2019t the software but the data used to feed it. \u201cArchitects don\u2019t want to share their data, so they develop their own AI,\u201d she noted. \u201cAnd that\u2019s the first mistake.\u201d Unless we break down these data silos, AI will just be another flashy tool instead of a genuine driver of efficiency.<\/p>\n So, is the struggle worth it? When I asked Mariel about the Return on Investment (ROI) of BIM, she provided a very practical answer. It\u2019s not about magic numbers; it\u2019s about reducing chaos.<\/p>\n In Germany, they call it Nachtrag<\/em>, change orders and claims that arise when things are overlooked or conflict on-site. Mariel contends that if BIM can cut these change orders by just 5%, you\u2019ve already gained an advantage. Less rework leads to fewer delays, and that\u2019s where the real money is saved.<\/p>\n If there is one takeaway for owners and investors, it is this: Don\u2019t just order \u201cBIM\u201d blindly. To fully benefit, you need to define your strategy before the first line is drawn:<\/p>\n Ultimately, successful digital transformation relies on motivation. You can\u2019t compel an entire supply chain to adopt new tools just because a contract says so. You have to help them discover their own \u201cwhy.\u201d<\/p>\n As Mariel wisely said, even if 30 to 40% of people are against or don\u2019t care, and 30% are unsure, you focus on the 30% who are motivated. That is how we move the industry forward.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\u201cWhy Should I Do BIM?\u201d<\/h2>\n
Mind the Gap: Construction vs. Operations<\/h2>\n
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Beyond the Hype: AI and Software<\/h2>\n
Finding the Real ROI<\/h2>\n
A Call to Action for Owners: Define Your \u201cWhy\u201d<\/h2>\n
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The Human Factor<\/h2>\n