An interview with... Carl Collins, the author of ‘DE8: Project Information Requirements’
On the release of the new online learning module: ‘DE8: Project Information Requirements’, CIBSE Training spoke to the author of the
module, Carl Collins (Head of Digital Engineering at CIBSE), to find out why
Project Information Requirements are fundamental to best practice BIM.
Carl Collins |
CIBSE Training: What
does the term ‘Project Information Requirements’ refer to?
Carl Collins: The term
Project Information Requirements (PIR) is a fairly recent reinvention of the
Plain Language Questions (PLQs), these terms are interchangeable.
CT: Is the knowledge
of ‘Project Information Requirements’ required by the laws and regulations?
CC: The use of PIR
documents is not required under the UK Government BIM Level 2 mandate, but it
will make the generation of the Employer’s Information Requirements (EIR)* a
simpler process for the employer or their representative.
CT: Following on from
the previous question, could you please detail what you mean by “a simpler
process for the employer or their representative”?
CC: The concept of
asking simple, plain-language questions of supply chains is a relatively new
concept. Traditionally, a basic specification and conversation would be had
between the design team and the employer to ascertain what sort of asset was
required, then information would be fed back to the employer at various stages
during the project.
These feedback sessions would usually
be unstructured, with only the standard deliverables being returned to the
employer, who would then try and understand them. Sometimes design teams would
present their proposals to the employer organisation, but this would always be
on the terms of the designers, not the employer.
The concept of BIM Level 2 requires
information exchanges to be made in structured forms, commonly to and from the
employer. Understanding what information needs to be exchanged is the purpose
of Project Information Requirements, asking specific questions that would be
answered by the structured information exchanges.
CT: So, how does PIR
fit into a project?
CC: Basically, PIR
facilitates information exchange between the project manager and employer by
making communication much more straightforward: avoiding multiple meetings
between the team. PIR plays an important role in the project management and as
the diagram below shows, impacts on multiple levels of the project. Exchanging
the information clearly, so it is understood by both parties ensures the
project management runs smoothly at all stages and avoids miscommunication and,
thus, time loss to clarify any misunderstandings. Which depending on the
situation, can be a costly and time-consuming operation.
CT: Thank you very
much for your time Carl. Any closing remarks or recommendations for our
readers?
CC: Thank you as well.
There are currently eight digital engineering modules available and one (DE9)
coming out soon which cover the basics of BIM. Each also includes a free copy
of the matching publication.
Read more about the CIBSE Digital Engineering Series: https://go.cibse.org/Digital-Engineering-Series
*EIR is covered in the online learning
module: https://go.cibse.org/DE2
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