What I’ve noticed is that it’s becoming increasingly common to design and build at the same time. As a result, constant updates need to be published throughout the process.
Traditionally, we would use a file name and revision number to ensure each file was unique. This system worked well—everyone understood it, and it supported a straightforward workflow. It was generally a good idea to complete the design first and then proceed with construction.
Now, with ongoing design changes during construction, there are often hundreds of updates, and people must constantly work with the latest version. The pace and frequency of changes have reached a point where revisions are sometimes hidden, almost out of embarrassment. What often happens now is that a file is updated under the same name, and the software tracks the version history automatically.
I’m currently working on a project where we’ve already reached version two hundred and something of the BIM model—and the file size exceeds 1.5 GB. In some cases, things are physically built, only to be moved in the next BIM revision.
It used to be simpler: a few paper drawings, well thought out, then built quickly and efficiently. Ironically, all this advanced technology sometimes feels like it’s taken us backwards