Why do different teams of designers and subcontractors link and share their models during the design process?
Different teams of designers and subcontractors link and share their models during the design process for effective collaboration and coordination of models. Linking and sharing allows all stakeholders to access the most up-to-date information, identify issues by merging and comparing models, and coordinate different aspects of a building design (e.g, structural systems and architectural design).
What are the advantages of linking models?
As mentioned above, advantages include effective collaboration and coordination, ability to iterate on designs with the most up-to-date information, issue detection, and easier coordination of different building elements.
Are there any disadvantages to linking models?
Disadvantages could be an issue syncing versions if multiple people are working on the model at the same time, losing track of different design choices if many people are working on the model, and having design errors persist if created by one person and unnoticed by others during the process.
How do you think design coordination was done before we started using digital models?
I think design coordination was done in person using physical models, multiple sheets, and drawing directly on them to communicate edits and design changes.
What advantages does doing this coordination digitally have over previous methods?
Cuts down on using physical models and sheets, and eliminates potential loss of design changes that have been drawn directly on those sheets. Decreases the need for in person meetings since collaboration and coordination can be done using the digital model. Increased accuracy of designs (e.g., dimensions, design options).
At what point in the project development process should design coordination start?
Is it ever too early?
I don’t think it’s ever too early to start design coordination. It allows you to communicate effectively to set expectations and shared understanding from the outset, avoiding potential issues down the line. I think it’s especially important as soon as multiple stakeholders start working on the design to keep track of all decisions and issues. This decreases potential errors and conflict that might otherwise arise.