What does accountability and improved collaboration in BIM aim to reduce?

Accountability and improved collaboration in Building Information Modeling (BIM) primarily aim to reduce change orders. This happens because enhanced communication and transparency among all stakeholders help ensure that everyone is on the same page throughout the project lifecycle. When all parties, including architects, engineers, and contractors, share updated and accurate information, the likelihood of misunderstandings or misinterpretations decreases significantly. This leads to more coordinated efforts and fewer revisions to the project design after it has begun, which are typically the cause of change orders.

In a collaborative BIM environment, issues can be addressed proactively, and potential conflicts can be resolved before they escalate into costly changes. Therefore, by establishing clear accountability through defined roles and responsibilities and by maintaining an open line of communication, BIM effectively minimizes the occurrence of change orders, leading to smoother project execution and better outcomes.