BIM Has Evolved — So Should the Way We Use It

Beyond Design: Why BIM Matters for Construction Teams

You’ve probably heard it before: “BIM is for designers.”

But that view is quickly becoming outdated. Today, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is showing its value well beyond design — especially for construction teams looking to stay aligned, avoid delays, and work more collaboratively across the jobsite.

Tools like Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) are helping general contractors, developers, and owners bring real-time coordination into day-to-day construction management — not just design review meetings.

A Common Coordination Problem — and a Better Way Forward

Take an example from the GTA: a general contractor lost two weeks of progress due to a ceiling clash that had been caught in a model — but never made it to the right person. The model had been emailed around, stored in a shared folder, and eventually overlooked.

It’s a familiar scenario. When models are static and disconnected from the daily workflow, coordination becomes reactive.

Now imagine this instead:

• The model is live and accessible in the cloud.

• The mechanical team spots a clash and tags the electrical team right away.

• The model is updated, and work continues without disruption.

That’s the kind of collaboration certain technology supports — one where decisions happen in real time, and coordination is part of the process, not a separate task.

What BIM Coordination Looks Like in ACC

With tools like Autodesk Build and Autodesk Docs, project teams can use BIM coordination to:

• Spot and resolve clashes earlier

• Keep all trades working from the same information

• See who’s working in the model and when

• Connect model updates to field activities

• Tie model data back to internal dashboards or databases

It’s not about introducing more complexity. It’s about making the tools you already use — like drawings, schedules, and issues — work better together.

Where Leadership Comes In: BIM for Construction Executives

For construction leaders — VPs, directors, and operations managers — BIM coordination offers something more than just technical oversight.

When you connect ACC to a live database or reporting tool, you create a real-time loop between the model and the boardroom. That means you can monitor:

• Changes to the model

• How they impact timelines and budgets

• Field issues, RFIs, and even safety reports

Instead of waiting for updates, you already have the information you need to make timely, informed decisions.

Using Procore or Another Tool? Here’s How ACC Adds Value

If your team already uses something like Procore, you might be wondering where ACC fits in. The key difference is that Autodesk Construction Cloud was built around models first — not just documents.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Model Coordination is accessible — team members don’t need to be Revit experts to use it.

• It plays well with your current systems — push model data to tools like Power BI, connect with project controls platforms, or track labor with third-party integrations.

• Everything stays live — reducing the lag between issue detection and resolution.

If You’re Not Ready for Full BIM, Start Small

You don’t need to overhaul your process to start seeing value. Many Canadian firms are taking gradual steps, such as:

• Running clash detection between major trades using Autodesk Model Coordination

• Giving field teams access to 3D models on mobile devices

• Linking RFIs or issues directly within the model for context

Even these small shifts can reduce coordination delays and improve communication on site.

Change Is Already Happening: Why It’s Time to Rethink BIM Coordination

Across Canada, construction teams are rethinking how coordination happens. Instead of relying on email threads and folder shares, they’re building workflows around live data, connected models, and shared accountability.

If your team is still navigating coordination manually, it’s not about being behind — but there may be a better, more connected way forward.

Free Download: A Quick Start to Model-Based Coordination

Looking to explore BIM coordination without jumping all in?

Check out our free 2-page resource:
“The Construction Leader’s Quick Start Guide to BIM Coordination”

Inside, you’ll find:

• A 3-step phased approach to adoption

• A real-world jobsite example

• A quick comparison between ACC, Procore, and Bluebeam