Facilitators reflections -  Dr. Amanda Filtane, CEM, EBE, UCT

​

This workshop marked a clear milestone in the digital transformation agenda: the long-running debate of “to BIM or not to BIM” has reached saturation; the collective consensus is to go digital.

 

With that alignment, this session closed the chapter on whether to adopt BIM and opened the practical conversation on how to buy BIM - how to procure in a way that reliably produces better information, better outcomes, and better value for all.  

​

In practice, buying BIM is not purchasing software or models - it is procuring outcomes, information, and capabilities across the asset lifecycle. BIM CoDE•SA 7 emphasised that digital transformation for better information management needs to be engraved in organisations and in procurement of services – by:

​

• Defining clear information needs from the top down (Organisation Information Requirements feeding Asset and Employer’s Information Requirements) and link them to business value and statutory needs. 

​​

• Mandating the use of a Common Data Environment and data standards, including information security, naming, classification, metadata, and inclusive formats to ensure portability and long-term asset value. 

​​

• Specifying roles, responsibilities, and acceptance criteria aligned to SANS/ISO 19650, with measurable information deliverables at milestones and at handover for operations and maintenance. 

​​

• Inscribe verification, validation, and data quality checks into the scope, with performance indicators tied to both delivery efficiency and asset performance readiness.

​​

Successful procurement starts with informed, empowered clients. Owners, especially in the public sector, should build a minimal capability to set requirements, evaluate supplier competence, govern information, and assure delivery and outcomes. This requires governance structures that align supply chain management (SCM) processes, technical standards, and change management so that policy, contracts, and practice move together for improved value. 

​

Next! Building momentum and supporting national policies and implementation plans, as well as maturity assessments and benchmarking tools for national monitoring and evaluation of the industry.

 

Join the BIMCommunity and let's progress collectively and inclusively - by design! 

​

Presentations by Burgert Gildenhuys, Dr. Amanda Filtane and Richard Matchett.