BIM Coordinators work in a variety of capacities with responsibilities for fitting people together, designing 3D models, and analyzing structural designs involving different areas related to construction such as architecture, structural analysis, electrical systems, and plumbing. Building information modeling is an area of digital technology that has become popular within the construction industry as well as enhancing career opportunities for people who have skills with 3D modeling as well as being able to communicate effectively with Architects, Engineers, Project Managers, and clients for getting projects done on time and within budget. Knowledge of BIM can open up career options for working in several areas within the construction industry.

Gaining skills for becoming a BIM Coordinator can include gaining certification through an Autodesk certificate program. The main benefit of certification is for developing consistent methods for working and designing 3D models or with data analysis on construction and manufacturing projects. This is important for working effectively with BIM methodologies, especially on construction projects, for not only developing blueprints or 3D models but for also analyzing data and collaborating with other professionals involved. BIM certification can also help with adhering to professional and community standards for applying local requirements and codes as well as working with the people involved on construction projects.

What Is a BIM Coordinator?

BIM Coordinators are tasks with managing projects related to the construction industry. Their jobs typically involve developing strategies, coordinating 3D modeling, collaborating with Architects, Engineers, and Project Managers, and maintaining communication among colleagues as well as clients. BIM Coordinators ensure that everyone involved on a project stays in lockstep with responsibilities for creating, managing, and coordinating 3D modeling from the planning stages through completing construction.

BIM Coordinators have to make sure that proposed concepts are viable for construction projects by thoroughly analyzing designs to make sure that they are not only aesthetically pleasing but structurally sound as well as compliant with local codes and zoning regulation through applying BIM processing. BIM Coordinators’ responsibilities include assuring the geometry of a design revealed through 3D modeling for examining shapes, lines, and points within design for determining structural 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 modeling with an emphasis on structural design and MEP engineering. 

BIM Coordinators have several responsibilities associated with turning design concepts into reality for industries like construction and manufacturing. BIM Coordinators help with bringing various parties together on projects that include overseeing modeling and structural analysis along with communicating with colleagues and clients on status as well as keeping an eye out for potential issues through clash detection.

Hard Skills for BIM Coordinators

Hard skills for working as a BIM Coordinator cover technical skills with a variety of software, techniques, and procedures for designing and managing projects. This includes 3D modeling, data analysis, and structural analysis. Hard skills are measurable skills that greatly depend on a person’s competence for performing required duties, which can be acquired through training, experience, and practice. Listed below are several of the hard skills needed for working effectively as a BIM Coordinator.

BIM Software

Among the essential hard skills needed for becoming a BIM Coordinator would be learning Autodesk Revit, which is among the most relied upon tools for industries like construction for working alongside Architects, Engineers, and Project Managers for completing projects. Revit helps BIM Coordinators with designing shapes, structures, and systems in 3D modeling for accuracy and precision. Another Autodesk tool that BIM Contractors depend on would be Navisworks, which helps for enhancing results on projects along with helping BIM Coordinators collaborate with other design professionals as well as clients for visualizing and analyzing design concepts on construction projects. Navisworks helps for merging design concepts with data into a unified model in moving forward on construction. Autodesk Navisworks helps with identifying and resolving clash and interference conflicts before construction gets started, which helps with saving time during construction for avoiding expensive, unanticipated changes once a project is underway.

BIM Coordinators also benefit from learning Graphisoft Archicad, which is a BIM design tool used primarily by Architects for designing, visualizing, documenting, and completing all types of assignments related to building and construction. Finally, learning Trimble Connect helps with facilitating on workplace collaborations through using BIM by providing BIM Coordinators with a cloud-based CDE (common data environment) tool for connecting with other professionals for designing and constructing buildings.

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Technical Drawing and 3D Modeling

BIM Coordinators must possess hard skills in 3D modeling for working productively on construction and manufacturing projects along with opening up collaboration among colleagues like Architects, Engineers, and Project Managers. 3D modeling helps for establishing an appealing design with proposed structures as well as facilitating structural analysis for determining feasibility. Mainly, 3D modeling helps BIM Coordinators fulfill responsibilities for working with other professionals on construction projects as well as presenting clients with design proposals and information crucial in construction.

Data Management

BIM Coordinators must also have a knack for ensuring that the design specifications related to 3D modeling on a project are precise and accurate. Designs, details, and data available through BIM technology allow BIM Coordinators to collaborate with colleagues in order to move forward on construction and manufacturing projects while also visualizing to clients and shareholders what the final product or structure should look like.

Clash Detection

A BIM Coordinator is also responsible for clash detection to identify areas related to building design that involve where plumbing, walls, or beams might interfere with each other. BIM software and 3D modeling helps BIM Coordinators with being able to solve potential issues related to a building’s development before construction even starts. Navisworks, for example, offers clash detection features in order to find potential conflicts between design elements through 3D modeling, which can help with resolving problems before moving forward on a project.

Soft Skills for BIM Coordinators

While possessing hard skills with 3D modeling, structural analysis, or clash detection are essential for working as a BIM Coordinator, having “soft skills” are just as important. Soft skills are non-technical skills that are typically related to interacting with colleagues and clients that are usually developed through experience rather than formal training. Soft skills for BIM Coordinators include being able to communicate, observe activities, and troubleshoot on projects as well as working seamlessly with coworkers and managers. Soft skills for BIM Coordinators are critical with getting projects off the ground and completed effectively.

Communication

Along with formal training in BIM software for 3D modeling, a BIM Coordinator must also possess soft skills for being able to communicate in collaborating with colleagues like Engineers and Architects along with keeping clients informed on the status of a project. BIM Coordinators have to take a collaborative approach to their work for not only creating 3D models that fit their client's vision and specification but for also working effectively with other professionals involved by keeping everybody on the same page. In this capacity, BIM Coordinators are responsible for both interpreting complex information with architecture and engineering as well as conveying that same information to less technically adept clients. With responsibilities mainly for supervising 3D modeling and design, communication skills are also vital for coordinating projects among the parties involved.

Attention to Detail

Another soft skill essential for working as a BIM Coordinator would be with having an attention to detail. BIM Coordinators have to pay attention to design details for making sure that they are shaping 3D models to a client’s specifications as well as making sure they are following appropriate standards and guidelines as well as being able to recognize quality. Attention to detail also includes being able to examine the accuracy and reliability of a design along with detecting potential flaws. Sharp observational skills help ensure that 3D modeling accurately reflects whether a design provides structural integrity and practicality before construction begins.

Problem Solving

Consistent with the hard skills needed for clash detection in construction design, BIM Coordinators must also possess soft skills for solving problems, especially when issues with structural design arise. In construction especially, flaws in a design or problems with structural integrity can lead to delays or expenses on a construction project. Problem solving skills allow a BIM Coordinator to guide a project through choppy waters by fixing holes before construction even begins by staying a few steps ahead of any potential problems.

BIM Coordinators must also have good time management skills as well as the ability to communicate effectively with solving problems. The ability to connect with colleagues and clients is critical for being able to get projects completed on time and within budget.

What Other Jobs Require These Skills?

BIM Coordinators work on projects in various industries with responsibilities for bringing distinct and separate parties together along with developing 3D models and maintaining quality control in areas like architecture, structural design, and MEP engineering for fitting different parts into a coherent and organized unit. Building information modeling is a relatively new area of technology used mainly in the construction and manufacturing industries with 3D modeling, data analytics, and structural design. BIM Coordinators typically work with Engineers, Architects, Project Managers, and General Contractors with responsibilities for ensuring that BIM standards on projects get followed. There are a few careers that are similar to becoming a BIM Coordinator with comparable skills and responsibilities.

This includes becoming a Data Analyst, which is an occupation requiring many of the same skills for working as a BIM Coordinator. Skills with data analytics combined with training in BIM software can help in identifying trends, applying 3D modeling in analysis, and generating facilities management reports. Data analytics provides an understanding of historical data through finding patterns that help with clarifying the current status of a project along with how problems might get solved as well as calculating risk assessment and weather forecasting with construction.

Additionally, skills with AutoCAD may also help with learning BIM, which could mean that working as a CAD Designer is not that different from being a BIM Coordinator. A CAD Designer must have skills with AutoCAD for creating 2D and 3D models for working on a variety of design projects for providing similar functions as BIM. While CAD skills and BIM skills are certainly different, knowledge with CAD can complement skills with BIM. Becoming a CAD Designer also requires technical skills and expertise with designing and drafting.

Learn the Skills to Become a BIM Coordinator at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers options for learning BIM technology, software, and procedures through VDCI, an authorized Autodesk training center that provides education and certification related to a variety of technologies, including building information modeling. Anyone considering becoming a BIM Coordinator might want to enroll in a certificate program or gain certification in the methodology or similar technologies. VDCI offers options for broader professional training, including the BIM Certificate Program which aims to provide students with all the skills and experience they need to start working on BIM projects in a professional capacity. This course covers over 400 hours of training content, all of which is modeled on real world construction projects. There is also a combined CAD/BIM Certificate Program for students looking for even more professional construction training.

Certificate programs provide hands-on experience with BIM or similar technologies for working with Engineers and Architects as BIM Coordinators. Certification, on the other hand, verifies a person’s expertise with particular skills like programming languages, software, and some types of tools such as BIM. Education providers like VDCI also offer various AutoCAD-related certification programs, including the AutoCAD Certification Program that provides comprehensive training 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 BIM 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 using BIM software. BIM Coordinators can also gain certification for improving career options with expertise in tools like Autodesk Revit for working in 3D modeling with designing and analyzing building structures. This can include taking on the Revit Certification Course for gaining expertise to create and manage architectural models using the Revit software.