A BIM Coordinator is a managerial position for careers in several industries, mainly with construction and manufacturing. The role typically requires anywhere from seven to 10 years of training and experience from working on different tasks using BIM technology and methodologies to qualify for employment in the profession. Becoming a BIM Coordinator typically involves working in construction or manufacturing, and most candidates often have a college education related to engineering, business, construction management, architecture, computer science, or graphic design for working with BIM software, tools, and procedures for designing and developing products and building structures. A college degree typically requires about four years, but there are also training programs for learning BIM software like Autodesk Revit or Navisworks, Graphisoft Archicad, or Trimble Connect for gaining or improving on skills to become a BIM Coordinator.

BIM Coordinators manage design modeling and collecting data for working with Engineers and Architects as well as informing clients through a shared database or cloud platform. Modeling on construction projects involves collaborations among experts in areas such as engineering for consulting on electrical systems, HVAC, and plumbing. A BIM Coordinator is also responsible for clash detection to identify how areas of a building such as plumbing, walls, or beams might interfere with each other. BIM modeling aids BIM Coordinators with being able to solve potential issues related to a building’s development before construction ever starts.

What is a BIM Coordinator?

BIM Coordinators are tasked with managing projects related to the construction industry. Their jobs typically involve developing strategies, coordinating modeling, facilitating collaboration among professionals like Architects and Engineers, and maintaining communication among those colleagues as well as clients. BIM Coordinators ensure that everyone involved on a project stays in lock step with responsibilities for creating, managing, and coordinating BIM modeling from the planning stages through construction.

BIM Coordinators have to make sure that proposed concepts are viable for construction by thoroughly analyzing designs to make sure that they’re not only aesthetically pleasing but structurally sound as well as compliant with local codes and zoning regulations through applying BIM processes. Their responsibilities involve the geometry of a design revealed through 3D modeling for examining shapes, lines, and points with structural design for determining overall integrity.

Once a plan goes forward, BIM Coordinators are responsible for supervising 2D and 3D modeling involved with construction projects related to architectural design and engineering. This requires working with Architects, Engineers, and Project Managers for overseeing models with an emphasis on structural design as well as MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) engineering.

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What Tools Do I Need To Get Started?

Becoming a BIM Coordinator requires training in a variety of tools and software. While many of those skills may have been picked up through a college education or training from online courses or certificate programs, prospective BIM Coordinators may be curious about finding what may be needed for getting started in the profession. BIM Coordinators manage the transformation of design concepts into 3D models on projects from an understanding of architectural design and engineering concepts for moving forward on and completing construction. Skills for working with BIM involves accessing digital software such as Autodesk products like Revit and Navisworks or Graphisoft Archicad. Revit, for example, helps professionals with designing shapes, structures, and systems using 3D modeling for accuracy and precision with prototyping. Revit can be accessed by downloading the app from Autodesk through purchasing any variety of subscriptions along with using the Autodesk Cloud. Autodesk Revit helps with streamlining projects by facilitating prompt revisions with planning, scheduling, elevations, sections, and sheets by applying 3D modeling that places Architects, Engineers, and BIM Coordinators on the same page with the goal of getting projects completed. As an Autodesk software, acquiring and accessing Navisworks would be similar to the process for getting Revit.

Graphisoft Archicad is a BIM program that helps in architectural modeling along with design and documentation through a user-friendly interface that allows Architects to efficiently design building structures. Archicad is a design program that provides 2D and 3D drafting, visualization, and other BIM functions. While Archicad can be accessed for free by students, educators, and education providers through the educational version of the software, using the software professionally requires choosing among a variety of paid subscription options.

Trimble Connect is available with free access for personal use as well as paid monthly and annual subscriptions for businesses. Connect facilitates workplace collaborations for using BIM through a cloud-based CDE (common data environment) tool for getting BIM Coordinators, Engineers, Architects, and Project Managers on the same page for designing and constructing buildings. Trimble Connect offers a secure environment for sharing and tracking data accurately in real-time for keeping professionals and clients informed throughout a construction project. Connect also customizes workflows for working with other Trimble software. Organizations can use Trimble Connect for accessing, viewing, sharing, and applying data for working in construction.

BIM Coordinators can also download the Dalux BIM Viewers for free. The BIM Viewer works with Revit, Navisworks, Archicad, and other BIM-related tools to use with online browsers, smartphones, or desktop computers. The BIM Viewer provides users with access to their project information related to BIM through a variety of platforms. Smartphone access provides mobile functions for navigating 2D and 3D modeling designing for measuring 2D length and area, point-to-point measurements, and laser measurements as well as filtering bases on models and element properties.

Steps to Become a BIM Coordinator

Becoming a BIM Coordinator typically involves having a college degree related to engineering, business, construction management, architecture, computer science, or graphic design in preparing to work with BIM software, tools, and procedures for designing and developing building structures or manufacturing products. Enrolling in BIM training programs or gaining the appropriate certification can enhance anyone's options for working in construction. BIM certification requires passing an Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) exam for gaining expertise with design tools like Revit. Becoming a BIM Coordinator requires gaining expertise with a variety of BIM technologies and methodologies along with knowledge in architecture and areas of engineering.

Prospective BIM Coordinators usually start out working as BIM Modelers in order to get a foot in the door from gaining experience by creating 2D and 3D models through working with BIM software. Modeling on construction projects helps with eventually working more directly with Engineers, Architects, and Project Managers as a BIM Coordinator on projects involving BIM. Due to the emphasis on the visual design aspects of construction, a BIM Coordinator must have an eye for detail in order to ensure accuracy and precision with modeling and structural specifications. In this capacity, communication skills are also essential for collaborating effectively with colleagues as well as clients.

BIM Coordinator Career Path

BIM Coordinators must have skills for creating 2D and 3D models that require working with other professionals such as Project Managers, Engineers, and Architects in the construction industry. BIM Coordinators can usually find work at construction companies, architectural firms, manufacturers, and engineering companies. BIM Coordinators must apply expertise with BIM in architecture, engineering, interior design, and exterior design as well as having to collaborate with other professionals in completing projects using precision modeling for structural designs.

The day-to-day work for BIM Coordinators includes working with Project Managers for developing timelines and budgets related to modeling on projects using BIM tools like Revit, Navisworks, or Archicad. Navisworks, for example, offers clash detection features in order to find potential conflicts between design elements through modeling, which helps with resolving potential issues before a project moves forward. BIM Coordinators are responsible for collaboration with other professionals involved on a construction project for keeping everyone informed, including clients. This includes meeting with professionals like Architects and Engineers individually as well as in groups in order to keep all parties on the same page.

BIM Coordinators must have expertise with BIM technology and methodologies, of course, along with knowledge of other digital design software, architecture, and engineering. BIM Coordinators also manage BIM Modelers, work alongside Engineers and Architects, and communicate with Project Managers and clients as well as having responsibility with quality assurance for making sure that everyone follows the modeling design and data analysis for getting projects done accurately, on schedule, and within budget. A BIM Coordinator can earn an annual income ranging from $57,000 to $121,000 nationally, including between $71,000 and $122,000 in New York City, $96,000 and $158,000 in San Francisco, or $69,000 and $129,000 in Denver.

Why Become A BIM Coordinator?

A good reason for becoming a BIM Coordinator is that the career is currently in high demand due to today’s increased dependence on digital technology in many industries, including construction with responsibilities for designing models along with quality assurance. Working as a BIM Coordinator involves collaborating with other professionals like Architects and Engineers for keeping construction projects on time and within budget.

BIM technology and methodologies have become a standard within the construction industry, which has opened up career opportunities for BIM Coordinators with managing design modeling from knowledge of BIM software like Revit, Navisworks, or Archicad. BIM Coordinators also collaborate with Engineers, Architects, and Project Managers as well as clients along with responsibilities for keeping everyone informed on the status and circumstances of a project. This includes having to resolve clash issues revealed through BIM modeling that contributes to keeping projects within budget and on schedule by avoiding potential obstacles.

Learn the Skills to Become a BIM Coordinator at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers training for learning BIM technology, software, and procedures through VDCI. VDCI is an authorized Autodesk training center that provides education and certification related to various technologies, including BIM. BIM, or Building Information Modeling, is a digital process for designing, developing, and managing projects for working as Architects, Engineers, Interior Designers, Project Managers, and BIM Coordinators in various industries like construction and manufacturing. BIM Coordinators, in particular, have to manage projects by applying 2D and 3D modeling in construction and manufacturing with responsibilities for handling costs, collaborating with other professionals, and interacting with clients.

VDCI offers a Revit Certification Training Bundle that is ideal for students looking to learn the broad strokes of BIM skills that aspiring professionals need to master. This course covers introductory and advanced Revit skills, making it ideal for beginners and experienced designers alike. In addition, students enrolled in this course will be able to take the Revit Certification exam as a part of their tuition, making it a practical option for future professionals. VDCI also offers focused courses in the important daily tasks involved in BIM projects, such as the BIM Construction Documents I course or the BIM Detailing course.

Anyone considering becoming a BIM Coordinator might want to enroll in a certificate program or get certification in the methodology or similar technologies. To be clear, certificate programs and certifications are not the same. Certificate programs provide hands-on training in BIM or similar technologies for working as Engineers, Architects, or BIM Coordinators. Certifications, on the other hand, verify an individual's expertise in a particular area such as a programming language, software, type of tool, or methodology like BIM. Education providers like Noble Desktop also offer various AutoCAD-related certification training, including the AutoCAD Certification Program that offers a comprehensive program that prepares candidates for Autodesk certification exams. Training involves learning the fundamentals of technical drawing along with skills for drafting and creating 2D and 3D drawing using AutoCAD.

Achieving certification requires passing an exam administered by an industry recognized organization. Ambitious BIM Coordinators can pursue certification through Autodesk, which offers several paths contingent on a person’s career ambitions. The Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP), for example, confirms a candidate’s skills with AutoCAD, including being able to solve complicated problems with workflows and designs related to the design software. BIM Coordinators can also gain certification for improving career options through tools like Autodesk Revit for working in BIM modeling for designing and analyzing building structures. This can include taking on the Revit Certified Professional certification program for gaining expertise for work in creating and managing architectural models using the Revit software.