The Road to Success – Healthcare Project Delivery using BIM

After three years of dedicated work, one of our major healthcare BIM projects is finally complete. At Summit BIM, we are proud to share that the outcome was not only a success, but also a milestone in the way we approach BIM project delivery.

By the time we reached substantial completion in August 2025, our data collection rate was in the high 90s. This achievement was not the result of one team working in isolation, but of many parties coming together with a shared commitment. From the very beginning to the final handover, collaboration was the driving force. Spanning across all major disciplines, this was by far the largest and most comprehensive dataset that we had ever had a hand in delivering. To give a sense of what went into achieving this outcome, we will break down our experience into three key parts:

• Early Design and Design Phase
• Data Collection
• Handover

Early Design and Design Phase

The journey began at the design phase, where ideas first took shape and gradually grew into coordinated plans. Over the course of the project, there were seven major submissions in total. Each package included the latest project models, the updated BIM Execution Plan (BEP), and the Data and Geometry/Construction Specifications (DGS/DCS). These submissions marked important milestones, ensuring everyone stayed aligned.

During the early design phase, our main focus was on developing the BEP, a living contractual document that shapes how the project team works with BIM from start to finish. The model development schedule was tight and constantly changing. To keep up, we had to be proactive in capturing all the standards used in the model and ensuring that consistency was never lost.

BIM Standards and the BEP as two sides of the same coin. The BIM Standards are the “what” — a general document that defines the work effort expected in relation to design and construction, as outlined in the project or construction management agreement. The BEP, on the other hand, is the “how” — a dynamic, evolving document that lays out the path to achieving those expectations.

Each audit was followed by a formal report, complete with comments and actionable suggestions. By engaging early and consistently, Summit BIM was able to help the contractor refine the BEP and the DGS/DCS step by step, ensuring they were always updated in time to capture the requirements outlined in the BIM Standards.

As the design advanced toward Issued for Construction (IFC), the models were continuously updated — each round of updates or revisions incorporating audit feedback to improve accuracy and detail. From the mid to late stages of model development, these data audits became critical in shaping the quality and consistency of the design data. Considerable effort went into aligning the models with the BEP.

Achieving consistency demanded ongoing coordination and communication, adapting to project specific needs while maintaining data integrity.

Alongside this, the asset registry played an equally important role. Serving as an index for all assets requiring additional installed asset information, its accuracy and reliability depended heavily on the completeness and quality of the design data.

Data Collection

With the asset registry in place, the project moved into one of the most fast paced and dynamic stages: data collection. At this point, each asset type was assigned to the appropriate trade, making it clear who was responsible for providing the required information. To streamline the process, all data was stored in Summit BIM’s proprietary platform, BIMFMi^©, a system designed to make uploading straightforward. Summit BIM conducted training sessions to provide a quick overview of how to use FMi, ensuring trades could contribute without feeling weighed down by technical complexity.

In the end, the data collection phase was a fast-moving, collaborative sprint — one that demanded flexibility, discipline, and constant communication.

BIMFMi interface

Handover

Throughout this final stage, the percentage of completion in data collection was carefully tracked and monitored. Weekly progress results were published, enabling everyone to stay aligned regarding targets. Ensuring that every tracked asset contained the correct tagging proved vital. This experience reinforced a valuable lesson: even the smallest misalignment in data governance could translate into hours of costly rework later. It was a strong reminder of the importance of diligence during design phase audits, where many of these issues can be prevented before they snowball.

In the end, the client received a comprehensive handover package consisting of:

• Complete record design models in Revit and Navisworks, enabling the client to visualize spaces virtually and troubleshoot assets in the future.
• DWG files for all disciplines.
• A final consolidated record drawing set in PDF.
• A complete data and document collection report, demonstrating full compliance.
• Design specifications in PDF.
• A complete Project BEP for both design and construction.
• Federated fabrication models for enhanced detail and integration.

What stood out was not only the volume of information delivered, but also the reliability and richness of the dataset — a resource that would continue to bring value long after construction was complete.

Closing Thoughts

As the construction industry continues to embrace digital delivery, projects like this highlight the potential of BIM to reduce risk, improve communication, and give owners confidence in the assets delivered to them, especially when compared to traditional delivery methods, where critical information is often fragmented, incomplete, or difficult to access. For Summit BIM, it was both a milestone and a reminder that every project is an opportunity to raise the bar.

To know more about Summit BIM’s asset registry, click here:

BIM and the Art of an Asset Registry

To know more about DGS/DCS, click here:

DGS/DCS Evolution – A Retrospective

If you are interested in learning more about how to get started and our process, please reach out. We would love to help you.

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