Why do different teams of designers and subcontractors link and share their models during the design process? 

What are the advantages of linking models? Linking models allows for real-time updates as each team creates new components or makes changes to the existing one. As these changes are made, they are reflected in the model. This allows for multiple parties to collaborate without the need for constant communications and meetings which could lead to misunderstandings. It saves time, prevents errors, and is more efficient.

Are there any disadvantages to linking models? The disadvantage to linking models is accidentally making changes to the linked model. This could create many conflicts, but also, linking models also means clashes, but these are better identified earlier than later, so it ends up being positive.

How do you think design coordination was done before we started using digital models? 

Prior to the use of digital models, I imagine design coordination was significantly different. I imagine that different designs, such as architectural and structural, would all be hand-drawn to similar metrics, but with different components highlighted. Then, the drawings would be overlapped, traced, and redrawn to observe clashes and model coordination. This seems like a very detailed and complicated process, but this is what I imagine it would be like.

What strategies can design teams use to find and avoid clashes prior to the start of construction? 

In addition to sharing models digitally, design teams could also create integrated project delivery teams that include the main stakeholders and contributing parties to the design. Each member of the team should bring unique insight into the model space that allows for early planning and clash detection early on in the design process, rather than later on as each member joins in at different points of the construction process.