BAM Nuttall: Turning virtual construction into a reality.

For over 150 years, BAM Nuttall has led innovation in civil engineering. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a fundamental element of the company’s strategic aim of ‘Building the present, creating the future’. The BIM concept involves the virtual construction of a facility before its physical build. The advantages are manifold: reduced uncertainty, improved safety, advanced problem-solving and the simulation and analysis of potential impacts ahead of construction.

BAM Nuttall recognised that, to go through a digital transformation, it needed to work with an external auditing body. “We were aware that BIM Level 2 was based largely on BS1192 and the associated PAS 1192 specification documents, but that doesn’t address all the requirements for confirming that a provider is ‘BIM ready’,” pointed out Gavin Avery, BAM Nuttall’s South Region Quality Manager. The contractor asked us to help challenge, refine and create a thorough approach to the business, identifying and driving improvements. 

Throughout their BIM journey, BAM Nuttall benefited from our wide experience of providing independent assurance, certification and auditing in commercial and industrial sectors. This includes the building construction industry. We helped our client to:

• take an independent perspective of collaboration and risk management business processes
• identify and close the gaps in processes for a cohesive, industry-leading BIM approach
• achieve BIM Level 2 accreditation across the whole business – an industry first
• continue to innovate, including collaborating with supply chain partners and other project stakeholders to develop this new way of working and deliver added value for all parties.

Insight

BAM Nuttall soon realised that BIM could support positive change throughout all aspects of their digital business functions, from end users to maintainers. Becoming BIM capable has proved a catalyst for leaner processes, using the tools and techniques laid out in the standard as a core foundation from which to build. 

“It has been an extremely powerful and educational experience, bringing discipline and new functions to the business. BIM has the mechanisms and approach to help change the industry, as well as our service delivery. We are proud to be the first Tier 1 civil engineering contractor to gain this full accreditation.”

Ivor Barbrook

Head of BIM Implementation, BAM Nuttall

“The scheme looked at our business processes on collaboration and risk management over and above BS1192 and the associated PAS 1192 requirements. This added real value to the process, enabling long-term effective change management as part of the LRQA assessment process. The systems are continually evolving and developing and LRQA encouraged this approach.”

Gavin Avery

South Region Quality Manager, BAM Nuttall

BAM Nuttall’s aspiration in its ability to capture information is no longer a dream of futuristic technologies. It is here now and helping to meet client expectations.