Achieving BIM Excellence: Unlocking Success with BuildingSMART Certification and Autodesk Tools

HOLGHER DE GROOT: Good day. And thank you for joining me today. In this session, I will talk about BIM certification and why you should consider getting certified, even if you already know your job or if you already have your dream job. But before we start, I would like to take a moment to introduce myself and to give you a quick overview of my background and what I do.

So my name is Holgher de Groot. I'm the CEO and founding director of Modmation. And as a certified BIM manager, I provide BIM consulting services to our clients within the AECO industry. And beside my work as a consultant, I'm also the vice chairperson at buildingSMART Australasia.

At Modmation, it is our vision to develop strategies and innovative solution that can increase the efficiency and productivity of our clients and their teams. And our mission is to provide advice, support, guidance and resources to clients who need a strong information management capability.

As a strategic partner, we work alongside our clients and their teams to provide support services they need, when they need them. The services we provide can be basically divided into four independent components. The first component is all about the people who do the work. So our service includes a skill assessment, training-- like software training, workflow trainings, and also on-demand support. So when people have issues, they just call us, and then we dial in and help them.

The second component is all about technology we use. So that's including helping companies or teams to integrate new software solutions or, having a transformation, basically swapping from an outdated platform to a new platform. For example, you want to swap from Autodesk AutoCAD to Autodesk Revit. And the third one is all about automation, so looking at workflows that can be automated or workflows that can be semi-automated to increase the efficiency of teams.

The third component is about policies and is all about the structure of an organization or project. So services in this kind of component include consulting services, strategy development, strategy and implementation, as well as the development and implementation and maintenance of standards.

And the fourth component is all about the processes we use. So service in this component include BIM management services, BIM coordination, like clash detection, clash resolution, issue tracking, issue resolution and so on, as well as quality assurance and quality control.

OK. That was the introduction. And now let's talk about achieving BIM excellence. So the first part of this session, we will talk about the challenges in BIM adoption, then followed by the second part, where we talk about why we should consider BIM certification for individuals. In part three, we will talk about the buildingSMART Professional Certification program as one of those programs that are currently available to the market.

Part four is all about the different levels of the professional certification program by buildingSMART, being Entry, Foundation, Management and Practitioner. And then in the last part, we do a quick summary of what we talk about.

So let's start with challenges in BIM adoption. So one of the significant hurdles faced in our industry is the inconsistency, when it comes to understanding and implementing building information modeling, also known as BIM. So despite its wide adoption across the AEC industry over the last two decades now, there is still a considerable amount of confusion around defining BIM terminology, concepts and principles. Even so, we have standards and guidelines in place in our industry.

So for instance, a survey conducted by the Australian Institute of Architecture, in partnership with NBS from the UK, found that a third of all respondents assumed that simply by using software like Autodesk Revit meant they were already implementing BIM. That clearly highlights the need for greater clarity and a standardized understanding of BIM, so we can foster a better collaboration and efficiency across our industry.

But what exactly does BIM adoption mean? What does it mean? What do we understand, under BIM adoption? So in general, BIM adoption means a successful implementation of BIM, whereby an organization crosses what we call the "point of adoption" into one of the BIM maturity stages, as defined by ISO 19650.

Now, what are, exactly, the BIM maturity stages, as defined by ISO 19650? So for a long time, people were talking about BIM levels 0 to 3. These levels were defined by BS 1192 in the UK. And they were used across the industry internationally, on a global scale. But these terms have been replaced by ISO 19650 in 2018. So we still see people referring to the so-called BIM levels 0 to 3/ But these days, the terms are outdated and should not be used anymore, particularly when it comes to contracts.

So ISO 19650 basically took that, developed it further and now referring to stages 1 to 3. So stage 0, previously level 0, does not have any impact anymore. It does not play a role anymore. So that's why it's light grayed here in the screen.

So we're basically looking at stage 1, which is about 2D and 3D documentation, using tools like AutoCAD for 2D documentation, 3d Max for visualization, maybe using other platforms for 3D modeling and then having databases, for example, like using simple tools like Excel for the data. So it's all disconnected, but there is data. Some of the data is structured, in Excel, for example. And some of the data is unstructured, being in AutoCAD or a 3d Max or other tools.

Stage 2 is where we're actually talking about a proper application of tools, in regards to BIM. So this is where we also talk about federated models. So this is usually where you have a workflow that is using information management based on files, so container-based information management.

And then there is stage 3, container-based information management using databases. So this is something we will see coming more and more in the future. And companies like Autodesk are already working on this, to push into this direction. But today, usually, when we talk about BIM-mandated projects, according to ISO 19650, we're talking about stage 2, container-based information management using files like Revit files.

So at the same time, we must recognize that individuals, different individuals and teams possess varying levels of competence in managing and delivering BIM projects. So as I said, usually, the point of adoption is the starting point. So looking at the stage 1 to 3, so at stage 1, we have the point of adoption. This is usually where processes are unpredictable, poorly controlled. And teams are more reactive than active.

And as they're working with the tools and get more familiar with it, they also increase their capability. So they start with the initial point of adoption and then they develop further, reaching or climbing a maturity level that refers to managed, defined, quantitatively managed and optimized.

So what does it mean? Managed is usually where processes are characterized for the projects, but the teams are still often very reactive. When we're talking about defined, we're talking about processes that are characterized for the organization. And teams start to become more proactive. Quantitatively manage means that processes are now also measured. And by measuring it, I can also control it, so a huge difference, compared to the initial, managed maturity level.

And then finally, optimized is where the focus is on process improvement and process optimization. And this kind of development we see also in stage 2 and also in stage 3. So these kind of development points exist in all three stages.

So as we start to adopting, stage 1, 2 or 3 or maybe having teams being in different stages, some individuals will what we call be at the "crawl stage." That's where they are just beginning to embrace BIM concepts and principles and maybe also the tools they're working with.

Others we refer to are in the "walking stage." So that's where they have gained some experience and proficiency with the tools in the workflows. And then finally, some are at the "run stage." So they're having a high level of expertise and advanced utilization of BIM.

So to address this challenge, it becomes very crucial to have qualified BIM professionals within a team, at different maturity stages, so they can share the knowledge. They can share their experience with their team members. And therefore, these professionals play a vital role in ensuring successful project execution. And this is also where BIM certification can make a significant impact.

So why considering BIM certification? Now that we have explored the challenges of BIM adoption-- well, the challenges in BIM adoption, let us move on to the importance of BIM certification. So BIM certification is essential because, in general, it dispels the common misconception that experience alone is enough to succeed in our industry. So while experience is still valuable, of course, BIM certification takes it a step further. It can help us to enhance our skills and knowledge in BIM and ensure that we stay updated with the latest trends and innovations in the BIM field.

And by obtaining a BIM certification, you basically invest in your professional career. So it allows you to stand out from the competition by having something that underlines your competence, your skills and making you more competitive in securing promotions or winning future contracts. So basically, it adds another layer of assurance to your competence and expertise that you can-- or that you are bringing to the table.

Also, this is something we see, particularly in Europe. As the demand for proof of BIM competency increases, certification becomes a vital indication of your credibility and professionalism in BIM. So by having BIM certification in place, you can also establish a benchmark for competency assurance and proficiency in information management, using BIM according to ISO 19650. And holding a BIM certification can enable you to demonstrate that you have met an established industry criteria and have the necessary skills to work effectively with BIM.

This validation of your competence can add a sense of trust among your clients, employers or any other project stakeholders, giving them the confidence in your ability to deliver high-quality BIM projects. And if you're looking for a job as a BIM manager, BIM certification can also reinforce your credibility and distinguish you as a skilled and reliable. BIM professional.

As we discussed the value of BIM certification, now let's talk about why it holds such an importance in our industry. So BIM certification programs are usually designed in alignment with industry-recognized standards and guidelines, such as ISO 19650. And by doing so, BIM certification programs can serve as a standardized global benchmarks for knowledge and skills in the BIM field.

So certification-- or certified individuals have proven capabilities that align with current industry standards. And they're meeting the demands of our industry today. So, overall, this form of standardization can drive a common language and understanding of BIM across projects and organization and can help us to promote better collaboration and efficiency among us when we work together on projects.

So please keep in mind BIM certification is an educational journey that involves engaging in an ongoing learning process for up-to-date knowledge. This continuous learning is essential, especially in the BIM field, where new advancement in technology and best practice is emerging regularly. So just think about AI and where the disruption is starting to happen already.

So today, there are several types of BIM and software certification available which encourage professionals like you and me to continuously improve the way we work. So selecting and combining some of these certifications can help us to stay updated with the latest BIM standards, concepts and principles. And therefore, training providers offer BIM training courses and certification programs, in most cases, both online and on site, that suit your learning preferences.

So selecting the right BIM certification course or program is, therefore, essential for a successful learning journey. But before signing up for a certification program, it is crucial to understand its learning objectives and outcomes. So basically, is that actually what you're looking for? Does this program fit your needs?

So take the time to carefully review the certification guidelines and requirements of the program you're looking into to ensure that the program aligns with your career goals and skill development needs. Additionally, also consider joining online groups or forums. Because when you engage with these communities, it can enhance your learning experience. It can also offer access to a diverse perspective of both peers and industry experts.

So let's take a closer look at one of the programs called the buildingSMART Professional Certification. So BIM certification-- or the BIM certification I'd like to introduce now is the buildingSMART Professional Certification program that is also referred to as PCERT. So you may already know what buildingSMART is about. For those who don't, buildingSMART is an open, neutral and international non-for-profit organization that is driving the digital transformation of the built asset industry.

What you might not know is that buildingSMART can also help you to become a BIM certified professional through their professional certification program. So if you don't know about it, let me tell you how this works. The buildingSMART Professional Certification program, also known as PCERT, has, basically, three goals.

The first, to standardize open training content. Second is to approve and support training organizations. And the third is to test and certify individuals. So by achieving these objectives, the PCERT program can provide the industry with a global benchmark for open BIM training and competency assurance.

Also, the PCERT program itself is aligned to ISO 19650, which defines information management using building information modeling or BIM. So if you don't have a copy of these standards yet, just keep in mind ISO 19650 is not a single standard, but it's a series of six international standards. While I'm saying 6, part 6 is still under development, which will cover health and safety. Standard part 1 and 2, 3, 4 and 5 are already available.

Also keep in mind that when you're buying copies of those, if you buy the international one, so that's not-- for example, the UK 19650 or the Australian 19650, if you go for the international one, it won't have an annex. If you buy the British one, it will come with an annex, which has additional requirements defined for projects that have to be aligned with ISO 19650 from Britain. So be careful which version you buy. And make sure you have all the information you need.

So the PCERT program offers student learning outcomes which are defined globally by buildingSMART International for reliability and consistency. And as an authorized training provider, we, at Modmation, ensure that our students receive a comprehensive BIM training course that meets these learning requirements. So by following a successful completion of the BIM PCERT training course, students can take an exam to become a certified BIM professional.

And once a student has passed the exam, an option there for publishing their name, certified individuals are recognized and listed in the so-called PCERT registry. So if you pass it and you publish your name, then clients or employers can go to this registry and they can check if you actually are certified. That can provide you, as an individual, with industry-wide recognition and could also be an opportunity for your career advancement.

As an approved training provider, so being on the other side of the table, organizations like Modmation must align their course with a body of knowledge which contains explanatory content for all learning outcomes. So that's a baseline that we have to meet as training providers. And this alignment ensures that training content is reliable and consistent, meeting a minimum industry standard that is being set or has been set by buildingSMART.

The most important part of the program is that buildingSMART itself does not provide training for the PCERT program. So they just maintaining the program itself, but they don't provide training. So instead, buildingSMART supports so-called "approved training providers" like Modmation, who are qualified to deliver BIM training for this program. This approach allows buildingSMART to ensure the program's integrity and global relevance, while offering the training through a network of training providers.

Additionally, buildingSMART qualifies individuals against an international benchmark to ensure that certified professionals meet a standard which is recognized across the globe. So today, buildingSMART collaborates with over 190 approved training providers worldwide, so more than 190 training providers who are offering online training in multiple languages.

All approved training providers, including Modmation, are also registered on the buildingSMART website. So if you go to education.buildingsmart.org, there is, in the menu, a button called "Training Providers." And there you have a list of all the individual companies that are approved training providers in your region. And this basically enables you or enables individuals to find a suitable training organization and to start their own BIM certification journey with confidence in their training provider. Because you want to make sure, if you go for it, you're selecting someone who is actually offering a good service.

So since the beginning, in 2017, the PCERT program has gained traction across the globe and is now provided by a growing number of buildingSMART chapters worldwide. So originally, the PCERT program was only available in Germany, starting in 2018, while, in Switzerland, it has been active since 2019. So they followed it a bit later.

And then in 2020, countries like Italy, Austria, Russia, China, the US, United Kingdom and Ireland, Spain and Canada also started offering the PCERT program. I just mentioned Russia. Currently, Russia does not provide this service. Basically, it's on hold for several reasons. And in 2022, Australasia joined the growing list of now 23 operational chapters providing the PCERT program to their region.

There are also four additional chapters that are currently implementing PCERT, meaning that the program is now available in 12 different languages already, with over 190 buildingSMART registered training providers worldwide. And yeah, through this approved training provider network, buildingSMART has already helped over 20,000 individuals worldwide to become BIM certified.

So let's have a bit of a closer look. What kind of levels do we have? So we're looking at the Entry, the Foundation, Management and Practitioner Level within the PCERT program. So currently, I said there are four levels to the professional certification program. The first level is the Entry Level, which is based on knowledge-based self-learning. So you watch some videos. And when you feel like you learned it all, you go for the exam.

The second level is the foundation level, which is based on knowledge-based learning within a true approved training provider. The third level is the Management Level, which is based on advanced knowledge-based learning with an approved training provider. And then the last one, the fourth level, is the Practitioner Level, which is based on applied learning and practical experiences.

So the Entry Level, basically where you start, is designed for individuals who are new to BIM and seek an introduction to its fundamental concepts and principles. So if you're completely new to it, this is the first step to take. Also, it is free online training course material that you can access and watch, as well as your exam. So you don't have to pay for it.

Basically, after this presentation, after this session, you can go straight online and sit the Entry course and exam for free. The Entry Level is administered directly through buildingSMART, without involving a training provider. So that's one of the reasons why it's for free.

Then the Foundation Level offers comprehensive knowledge-based learning and an assessment of essential BIM skills. So that is basically building on top of the Entry Level. And then we have the Management Level, which builds on the Foundation Level and is for individuals who are leading the digital transformation within an organization. And then finally, the Practitioner Level is for experienced BIM professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise through practical application and real-life project assessment.

So with these four learning paths, the PCERT program is very versatile and can address the needs of BIM professionals at different stages of their careers. And of course, for each of the four learning paths, you will have a digital badge once you've completed the training and pass the exam. So you can use this and display that on professional profiles, such LinkedIn and websites, basically serving as a visual representation of your expertise in BIM.

Additional, students will also receive a certificate for the Foundation, the Management and the Practitioner level. So in addition to the badges, you also get a certificate which you, for example, can add to your CV. Or you can add that to tender responses when you have to provide information on the individuals and their capabilities. You can add that certificate as a proof of competence.

So the QR code you see here, basically, if you scan it, that will give you access to the program on the buildingSMART website. And there, you can also sign up for the Entry Level. So you can see here you can go straight for the Entry Level exam. Or you can do the training first and then do the Entry Level, while Foundation, Management and Practitioner, you're looking for a training provider.

So now let us take a look at what is already available in your region. So in general, you can attend any training and take the exam anywhere by finding a registered training provider that offers online training in your language. So this is basically what you're looking for, the language. It doesn't matter where in the world they are.

So as I mentioned before, the Entry Level is a free online training course and exam that is already live since April this year, so since April 2024. And we already have more than 3,000 individuals globally that have done the entry level.

The Foundation Level is also available as well. We have already more than 20,000 individuals who have done this Foundation certification. And we have more than 23 chapters that are already providing it. So there are an additional four that are currently in the implementation stage. So by the end of the year, there will be more than 27 chapters already.

The Management Level is currently under development, only offering the COBie course. So that one is already live. So if you're interested in COBie, you can go for that. And the Practitioner Level is currently under development as well, currently only available in three regions.

So when I said we have about 20,000 individuals who are already certified under the Foundation level, why all of these individuals? So we can see that, in some countries, there is a high demand for people to really go for it. And that is usually linked to, for example, for public projects that clients requiring proof of competence. And PCERT is a really good tool to provide that proof. So in those countries where governments are asking for such proof, we see a high number of people being interested in the program.

So you can see here, Germany is having more than 9,000 individuals who have certified. So that's nearly half of the 20,000. They're all in Germany. We have another 4,000-plus in Switzerland, another 1,700. in Austria, a bit more than 1,000 individuals in Spain and then 700, Italy; 600, China and so on and so on, so on. So you can see other countries are relatively small, in terms of the numbers. And that can also be, of course, that their program just went online.

For example, Australia, we started 24 months ago. And we are just in the process to actually make the industry aware of it. Keep in mind we are a non-for-profit organizations, so the budgets we have are limited, in terms of marketing and so on.

So to sit the free entry-level exam, if you are interested in that, simply visit the qualification.buildingsmart.org website. You can watch training videos for free on demand. As you can see here, it's just click on Start Training, and you can watch them. But if you already have experience and you feel like, "Nah, there shouldn't be a problem. I don't need this," then you basically can go straight to the exam platform, create a new account, which is free. You just need an email address.

And type in the name. Make sure the name is correct because that will be linked to your badge. And then you can sit the exam. So very straightforward, no cost involved.

For the Foundation training and exam, you simply visit, again, the qualification.buildingsmart.org website. And you can look for a training provider that offers online training in your language. And then you can just reach out to them. So, for example, you can see here I clicked the foundation level. We have 193 providers. And I could then say, OK, I'm looking for an organization or chapter.

Or, in this case, I knew the name of the organization, so I typed it in. And here we go. And then I can say Contact or Visit Website and then contact them through their own website. So if you're interested, just scan the QR code, and that will give you access.

You can also log into your account on the buildingSMART qualification platform and download the program overview for more information. So this Program Overview PDF form has all the information about the program. So you can also use this, hand this in with your application to get this approved by management, for example.

Within this program overview is a list included of the learning outcomes that will be covered in your Foundation course and exam. So it gives you a bit of an idea of what the exam will be about and what the course itself should cover. So the course itself is divided into five modules as the core. And in some countries, you have a sixth module, which is regional-specific. Not every chapter does that. Some chapters do.

So the first module is all about understanding the definition, key terminologies and benefits of BIM. The second module is about recognize the advantage of BIM, compared to traditional project delivery. The third module is about understanding your project information management with BIM, according to the ISO 19650 series.

Module 4 is all about recognizing the need for open and interoperable solutions. And finally, Module 5 is all about understanding the importance of asset lifecycle and owner/operator perspectives for information management. And as I said, Module 6 is regional-specific. So for Australia, for example, Module 6 will be about local terminologies that is being used, local frameworks by agencies like Transport for New South Wales or Health Infrastructure New South Wales and other states or territories.

As I mentioned before, the Management Level is currently under development, only offering the COBie course for now. The two new courses shall be available and live in 2025. So I don't know which quarter, yet. Again, we are a non-for-profit organization, so we're sometimes a bit slower.

So the information management course will basically define information management function for owners, designers and contractors, focusing on BIM execution planning according to ISO 19650. And the infrastructure course will define information management function for infrastructure specialists and engineers, focusing on open BIM standards and GIS interoperability. So if you're interested in that, keep an eye on it. It should be available next year.

As I mentioned before, also, the Practitioner Level is currently under development. So this course currently is available only in Germany, Austria and Italy. So you can see no English-speaking countries. So if you're an English-speaking person, we need to wait. We are not there yet. BuildingSMART is now developing one unified international curriculum that is suitable for all regions.

So the idea will be that this course will be structured according to task and workflows on buildingSMART International standards, services and solution. And the certification scheme will be developed with clearly specified competencies following ISO 17024.

So that's basically the program, the certification for BIM practitioners. So let's summarize what we talked about. So as we are at the end of this session now, what are the takeaways? As I mentioned, BIM certification is not just about adding a certificate to your CV. And it is an essential step to elevate your career in the AECO industry. And the buildingSMART PCERT program provides a standardized benchmark for your knowledge and skills in the BIM field. So that's a program that might be suitable for you or your team.

The PCERT levels accommodate the needs of BIM professionals at different stages of their career. So they will allow you to specialize in your specific area of expertise with BIM. So you can pick what course or level you want to go for. And finally, the PCERT program does not only offer you certification that is endorsed by buildingSMART, but it also comes with a nice digital badge for your LinkedIn profile. So if you like things like badges-- I do. It comes with it. You can download them, the same as your certificate. And then you can add that to your LinkedIn profile or Zing or whatever you use.

So if you are interested, simply visit the buildingSMART website. For Australia, it's education.buildingsmart.org. For the US, it will be different. For Europe, it will be different. Depends on which chapter you're looking at, but in general, just go to this website. Check it out. And then you can select the training providers. And then, of course, you can also look for the training providers on the website and choose from there.

Or you can also sign up with the next course that we provide. Simply reach out to us. We can tell you what courses are scheduled, which ones are not booked out yet. And then you can simply sign up for a course. We're currently offering some discounts for the AU conference. So if you come through this presentation, basically let us know, and we provide you with a 10% discount. You can also just scan the QR code and reach out to us. And yeah, then we can send you some more information.

All right. So with that, I'd like to thank you for your time and attention today. And yeah, now it's your turn to become a buildingSMART certified professional. Thank you.