BIM Basics: 3D BIM Modeling with the End User in Mind

When a project comes to us from one of our clients, the first question we ask is, “who is the end-user?”

There are many other questions in BIM production, however, none offer more clarity on the project than understanding who the end-user is. We’ll explore the importance of knowing and making decisions based on the end-user.

The End User Isn’t Always Obvious

If you are an architect or a laser scanning provider, there is a good chance that you already know the end-user. Most likely, this is your client. It could also be the person who contacted you, a property manager, an operations manager, or the construction crew. However, our clients at Factory Reality are architects and laser scanning firms. This means who the end-user is isn’t always a given. It is of utmost importance for our team to ask this question.

The End User Helps Determine the Purpose of the Project

Even if you have an idea of who the end-user is, you might not know the purpose of the project. For example, we could get an email saying a client needs a point cloud of a residential home converted into a BIM model. The client says they need it modeled at LOD 300. Even though this is seemingly enough information to start modeling, by asking for the end user’s desired outcomes for a model, we can make judgment calls on where to most effectively spend the time and effort. Maybe the homeowner is the end-user and they want to do a complete remodel of the home. They are going to have an architect use the model to completely redesign the interior. If this is the case, our team may not need to model the light fixtures at a LOD 300 because they are going to be removed. Or if the homeowner isn’t going to be changing anything in the basement, then maybe there is no need to model the piping or HVAC systems in great detail or at all.

Knowing the End User Allows for Better Decision Making

At the end of the day, these decisions can only be made by knowing the purpose of a project. One of the things that we pride ourselves in at Factory Reality is our excellence in communication. This not only avoids surprises but it also means we deliver a model that meets our clients’ needs. Part of this communication is making sure we aren’t spending time on and charging for more detailed work than our clients need. By knowing who the end-user is at the very beginning, we can look at the project through the lens of this individual and create a deliverable that will add value. Ultimately, this means that our team is focused on serving the end-user (your client) well, which will help your firm look great in the process.