Consistent engineering saves time and effort during construction

Lukas Nybäck BIM Specialist

Building Information Modeling (BIM) and 3D engineering offer great opportunities to avoid problems during the construction phase caused by inconsistencies or deficiencies in engineering plans. However, achieving conflict-free engineering requires precise compatibility between the plans of different parties. The best way to ensure this is by involving a BIM coordinator in the project.

The goal of conflict-free engineering is to enable the construction of the building exactly as planned. This means all installations can be carried out in their designated locations, and no modifications will be necessary during construction due to inconsistencies or shortcomings in the engineering plans.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. It is common to encounter situations where part of the engineering plan does not work in practice. For instance, building services may not fit into the space reserved for them above the ceiling, factory-made openings in prefabricated elements may be in the wrong locations, or there may be other dimensional discrepancies. While these issues can be corrected, they always come at a cost—often in multiple ways.

Even relatively minor issues can quickly lead to delays, as construction tasks cannot proceed in the planned order, causing a domino effect where different phases of the project start to fall behind schedule. Before long, work piles up, overtime becomes necessary, or the entire project is delayed.

Changes made under pressure can also result in a final outcome that deviates from the architect’s vision, potentially affecting the usability of the spaces. Sometimes, modifications are made as “red pen corrections” and not updated in the original plans, leading to issues later, such as during maintenance when serviceable components are not located where the plans indicate.

A BIM coordinator is the key to conflict-free engineering

Transitioning to 3D engineering and utilizing a BIM model significantly enhances the ability to minimize inconsistencies. A BIM model allows for the visualization of a building’s exterior and interior spaces already in the engineering phase, helping to identify potential issues and conflicts in advance.

In principle, the process involves overlaying architectural, structural, MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing), and other necessary engineering plans to check for conflicts. In practice, however, identifying risk areas is not always straightforward—it requires expertise, experience, and the right tools.

This is why hiring a professional BIM coordinator is worth serious consideration for projects of all sizes. At Fimpec, for example, our BIM coordination assignments range from residential buildings to highly complex projects, such as the Katajanokan Laituri commercial building, which won the public vote and received an honorary mention in the Tekla BIM Awards Finland 2024 competition.

The need for BIM coordination will only increase further starting in early 2026 when new construction legislation imposes stricter requirements on BIM usage in projects. At Fimpec, we are well prepared to meet these new demands.

What does a BIM coordinator do?

So, what does a BIM coordinator actually do? In general, our role is to ensure consistency in engineering plans, perform BIM quality assurance, and support engineering management and coordination. This work relies on receiving 3D models from various parties, which must match any 2D models used by engineers to allow reliable comparisons.

Our responsibilities include defining common BIM practices for the project and ensuring they are followed. Additionally, we perform clash detection, meaning we cross-check structural and MEP components for conflicts. For this, we use a set of rules we have developed, allowing us to identify errors—provided the modeling has been done correctly.

In addition, we conduct visual inspections to identify issues that may not be detected through automated clash detection. This is an evolving process where we continuously incorporate insights from different projects, as well as feedback from construction sites, clients, and engineers.

Good communication is key

Fimpec has acted as a BIM coordinator in hundreds of different projects. These projects have taught us many lessons, but one stands out above all: the importance of communication between all parties involved. This applies not only to engineers but also to clients and contractors.

We place great emphasis on smooth communication and actively work to improve it. That is why we advocate for the use of a real-time, web-based communication tool in projects whenever possible. This tool enables continuous interaction between stakeholders. We also encourage all parties to comment on even the smallest details, as experience has shown that minor issues can lead to unexpected problems on-site.

By using a communication tool, we aim to resolve clear conflicts in engineering plans immediately so that meetings can focus on issues requiring input from multiple parties. Whenever possible, discussions should also cover topics that may not necessarily be conflicts but could emerge as challenges during construction—whether they are related to aesthetics or ways to improve efficiency.