Preparing to work in level 2 BIM: an innovative approach to a training and project-based learning

The well-known (probably the best known) objective of the UK Government’s 2011 Construction Strategy was for ‘fully collaborative 3D BIM (with all project and asset information, documentation and data being electronic) as a minimum by 2016’. This deadline has passed, and a number of reports have followed, commenting on how far the construction industry has progressed in its response. It is clear that some organisations consider themselves to be well-advanced in terms of their digital capabilities, whilst others lag behind. What should be remembered though, is that meeting this objective is not only about the software capabilities of individuals and their firms, but about BIM collaboration within projects. The paper outlines an innovative training offering that prepares project teams for working in such an environment. Virtual Project is a structured 3-day course that offers, to senior and middle management, the experience of multi-disciplinary collaboration, exploring as the ‘8 pillars’ of guidance for working at Level 2 BIM and experiencing some of the available technology for the design, construction and operation of built assets. Case studies are presented that illustrate the development of Virtual Project and responses from the participants, and the outcomes are mapped against the UK Government’s Learning Outcomes Framework, as well as the published work of the BIM Academic Forum. There are reflections on the challenges encountered, such as running the course overseas, and opportunities, such as its delivery in an e-learning environment.