Increasing Efficiency in 5D BIM by Utilising ‘BIM Interoperability Tools – Classification Manager’ to Append ICMS Cost Codes

Abstract ̶ This paper discusses Building Information Modelling (BIM), notably the 5th Dimension of BIM, which covers cost management functionality in the BIM workflow. The research proposes an efficient digitised workflow that can facilitate the appendage of an International Quantity Surveying (QS) Cost Code to a consistent parameter in the objects of the model. This paper firstly outlines how QSs are currently inserting ‘user defined’ information by adding their cost Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to an existing parameter, such as the ‘keynote’ or ‘assembly code’. The QS also has the ability to create a QS specific parameter (QS IDentification), by adding an additional shared/project parameter to the model. QS WBSs are usually specific to the jurisdiction of the project, such as the ‘Uniformat’ in the United States or the ‘New Rules of Measurement’ in the United Kingdom. The International Construction Measurement Standard (ICMS) is an international standard produced by a coalition of global cost management professional bodies. ICMS seeks to provide a global standard for cost planning and cost reporting, from project conception through to the operation of the finished project. A subsequent edition will relate the standard to BIM and provide a global digitised cost management schema. In preparation for an ICMS digitised schema, this research explores a change to the current 5D BIM workflow, whereby, the 5D BIM QS can utilise the ‘BIM Interoperability Tools’ Revit Add-in, to efficiently append an ICMS cost code to a new QSID parameter in the object properties. This will provide efficiencies downstream in the QSs software providing users with the ability to extract QTO in line with these cost codes