A Digital Roadmap For Ireland’s Construction Industry
In December 2017 Ireland’s National BIM Council published the Roadmap to Digital Transition For Ireland’s Construction Industry 2018-2021. The release of the roadmap is seen as a positive leap towards BIM focused technologies & workflows in Ireland. The 2021 Vision set out in the roadmap aims to increase collaboration, reduce design & construction time and connect information digitally. The roadmap is underpinned by the BIM Innovation Capability Programme, a global study researching how other countries are approaching BIM at a national scale. The roadmap channels this global research by identifying Leadership, Standards, Education & Procurement as the four main areas to drive the construction sector to digitisation in Ireland.
“The future is already here, it’s just not very evenly distributed”. – William Ford Gibson
Image Source – www.nbcireland.ie/roadmap
The key targets of the roadmap aim for open standard 3D models to be used within a planning or building compliance context. This will support automated processes and drive efficiencies within public departments. Over 30% in a process can be wasteful labour or materials, the roadmap aims to bring this down to 20% and in turn reducing construction costs. This will be implemented through driving education across all business sizes from Large Multi nationals to Small & Medium Enterprises. The SME consideration is mentioned significantly throughout the roadmap to support training. Ireland accounts for 12% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Europe yet only 1% of GDP, this is a good opportunity to increase construction exports through goods and services in overseas markets. Reducing delivery time of projects by 20% across the design and construction phase will bring further efficiencies to the industry. Centralising project information and digital collaboration is key to driving this time reduction. Contributing digital information from our construction data is valuable to smart growth, communities and cities. This will support Ireland being a key leader of digital transformation across Europe and globally.
To achieve the roadmap targets, leadership within the public and private supply chain will create a frame to support the industry. While adopting standards in line with International and EU Standards to ensure Ireland can increase collaboration, through open standards and similar documents in line with PAS1192. Having this common standard enhances construction information being shared and the opportunity for exporting construction services. An education and training initiative that includes SME’s is noted as being an important element to drive the digital transition. The final part of the roadmap targets procurement as the area to drive a Government Mandate. Several publicly procured projects have already mandated BIM and are being used as pilot schemes. The Grangegorman redevelopment in Dublin is a €2 Billion public project that has had several stages of completed construction in the past 12 months. This project is seen as a key driver of BIM in Ireland.
To support the 20% time reduction, 20% exports increase and 20% cost reduction a wider uptake of technology and education can support this achievable target within Ireland. As we move forward to train and support companies moving to BIM, the technology and support are intricate elements to make the roadmap successful.
Subscribe to our Digital Transition webinar series or register to watch recordings:
- Feb 7th – Five Ways a BIM workflow supports Ireland’s Roadmap to Digital Transition
- 21st – How BIM can automate your Irish Building Regulation & Planning Compliance
- Mar 13th – Digital Collaboration on BIM Projects in Ireland
Image Source – National BIM Council / www.nbcireland.ie
Download PDF Roadmap Document – Roadmap to Digital Transition For Ireland’s Construction Industry 2018-2021