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Column: BIM - A new way of working?

These times call for a different approach to work. Today, we should really look at work with a fresh pair of eyes. Today’s employee is different from the person that joined the company ten years ago."

In 2011, the new way of working was a hot topic. "These times call for a different approach to work. Today, we should really look at work with a fresh pair of eyes. Today’s employee is different from the person that joined the company ten years ago." With these and similar statements, we had no option but to believe it. The working world would never be the same. Fortunately, some people didn’t stop thinking for themselves "We want everyone working at the office. If you work in the same space, it is easier to ask questions. We really want everyone helping each other. "

Fast forward to 2016. The new way of working is not a hot topic anymore. The interest hype has faded to normal.

Again, we just do our job, falling back on our old way of working. We're more experienced, and possibly somewhat disappointed.

The hype cycle of technology
Gartner uses the so-called hype cycle to illustrate the maturity stage of new technologies along their life cycle. Not every technology manages to break through past the "trough of disillusionment". To a certain extent, the new ways of working fit this profile. After a few disappointments, the hype failed to catch on and the excitement dies down slowly.

BIM: Outgrowing the hype
I would like to briefly refer to Building Information Modeling (BIM). It was not so long ago that BIM was presented as a new way of working. The promise it held was well substantiated. It allowed the much needed reduction in failure costs, which is as relevant as ever today. Nobody would work like they used to. No construction project would be the same: It was the end of inefficiency.

We know better now. For many, the disillusionment gave way to reality: We are back on the ground with both feet, and realise that BIM can't replace the efforts of well-qualified personnel.

On the slope of enlightenment
Again, we just do our job, falling back on our old ways of working. Or rather, the real work? Perhaps with one or more disappointments, but based on a much broader experience. And this brings us to the core of my argument: BIM has finally outgrown the hype to become broadly available - beyond the realm of a few techies or freaks. Companies using BIM stand firmly (to use Gartner's example) on the slope of enlightenment. As as result, they start reaping the benefits of their past BIM investments. While they may not be on the plateau of maximum productivity, they can put to practice numerous lessons learned. They're making progress, moving steadily onwards and upwards. And they're setting others in motion by leveraging those lessons learned!

BIM: A new way of working indeed!
BIM stands for collaboration. And that is the essence of building as long as it is being built on Earth. People who sit around the same table and share knowledge to move forward. Thus, BIM is more like the old way of working than the new way. But in a better way. Because we have learned (and are still learning) along the hype cycle.

In Germany, people react differently to hype. Of course, everybody loves Vorsprung durch Technik. Germans, however, will pay little attention to hype as long as goals can also be achieved with existing technology. The evidence tells the story: BIM's adoption in Germany is considerably lower than in the Netherlands. Does this mean they're building the wrong way? Absolutely not! Bear in mind that new solutions are not necessarily better or more effective. But by ignoring the hype, you are also keeping yourself from an opportunity to learn, develop and make significant progress.

Glad I'm a Dutchman ...