What defines Social BIM?

Social BIM is defined by collaboration among all parties using the same model. This approach emphasizes teamwork and communication, allowing architects, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders to work together in real-time on a shared platform. By having access to a centralized model, team members can easily see updates, make modifications, and provide input, which promotes transparency and helps to reduce misunderstandings and errors. This collaborative aspect of Social BIM leads to more efficient workflows and better project outcomes compared to isolated or individually developed designs.

In contrast, approaches where teams develop designs separately lack the cohesive integration that Social BIM promotes. A model focused solely on construction volumes, while important for certain aspects of project evaluation, does not encapsulate the participative nature of Social BIM. Additionally, emphasizing design aesthetics alone ignores the collaborative goal of optimizing the entire design and construction process through shared insights and resources.