THE INFORMATION REVOLUTION – Since the beginning of time, someone, sometimes all, have been abused in a  building project.  Everyone in the 3d BIM circle is equally susceptible.   The reason is perfectly obvious – miscommunication/non-communication of information.  In the past, we had reasons.  Today, we may have excuses, but we do not have  valid reasons.  2,000 years ago, we had Roman Numerals, not because they were perfect, but because our writing tools were a hammer and chisel and what they did best were straight lines.  We progressed to our current numbers with the advent of paper and writing instruments.  Today, many people in the business use nominal and schematic representations simply because, “That is how we have always done it.”  Before the computer, that was legitimate, but not today.  Today we can draw 2 parallel lines from Jupiter to Mars spaced 1/1000 of an inch apart (equidistant at ALL parallel points), or closer if you are really counting.

The drawings for a house can now be done in virtual reality where every board, nail, pipe, toaster, etc., has got x,y,z coordinates and related physical properties that can be quantified in a model and database.  

The upfront overhead in developing a model is obviously more expensive than a 2 page nominal drawing for a house, but the reward for all concerned will pay back the difference many times over for everyone in the loop. 

Example of central database interactivity -  The wife goes to the supplier to select an oven.  She picks out a “Viking”, “GE” was specified in the model.  The salesman checks her “Model-Database” on the web and finds that her selection is $2,000 more than the allowance, but sees that she has a provision for extras.  The salesman asks if she want to apply her new choice.  She confirms the choice.  The salesman books the “Viking” into the database.  It now is on PO list.  Since it is now a part of the database, her choice is now known by the General Contractor, the Architect, the Banker, the Sub-Contractor, and, most importantly, the Husband.  If the “Viking” does not fit in the “GE” space, the Architect changes the model, the Cabinet man changes the cabinets, the Plumber runs the gas line, the Interior Designer confirms the color, and all costs  and plan changes are accounted for in the “Model/Database”.