Overcoming The Challenges Of Outsourced Mep Bim Services

What’s life without a few challenges? The construction industry is no stranger to challenges, and the prospect of outsourcing MEP BIM (Building Information Modelling) services may seem daunting. Awareness, due diligence and preparation can take care of that. Communication challenges, time zone dilemmas, work-sharing options and knowledge of local standards and codes are primary concerns when considering MEP outsourcing services.

The good news is that Internet technology and regularly updated software tools have improved connectivity issues on a global scale for those seeking and those providing quality MEP design services.

Challenges in Outsourcing MEP BIM Services & How to Overcome Them

Communication – Speaking with non-native English speakers can be confusing for Western nationals. Syntax, pronunciation, sentence structure and accents vary, resulting in misunderstandings.

So, what’s the solution?

Clear process can help successful communication, including the following steps: 

• Meeting regularly (daily or weekly)

Regular meetings mean regular exposure to each other, and individuals become familiar with each other so that everyone is on the same page. 

• Using online project management tools

These tools can identify, follow and report bugs, tasks and queries. Establishing Clear guidelines for online system protocol can be established to help create a consistent workflow. 

• Creating clear guidelines

A set of clear guidelines must be created so that misunderstandings are minimised, and new requirements can be added to the guidelines.

In addition to meetings, communication can be easily channeled through video conferencing, chat or email.

Another challenge in offshoring MEP BIM services is the difference in time zones, which can affect meetings, time management and work schedules, with different national and social holidays thrown in the mix.

One way to work the challenge of different time zones to one’s advantage is to realise its effect on productivity. 

• Productivity increases when a team coordinates and works efficiently across time zones. 
• Different time zones may help meet deadlines, as an offshore team may be working when others are sleeping. 
• While the offshore team is working on MEP BIM services, the local team has more time to create, plan and manage new ideas.

The third major challenge to outsourcing MEP design services is finding the right work-sharing options. Using cloud computing, MEP BIM consultants and other project stakeholders can generate and share work on the same platform. As the BIM process involves work-sharing and project workflows, it facilitates the coordination of MEP design as well, saving time and costs.

One of the preferred BIM-enabled software tools for this process is BIM 360 Design with Revit cloud work-sharing. Users can: 

• Upload Revit models and work on them with other stakeholders at the same time 
• Save the latest modifications and allow other users access to their work 
• Publish the model to BIM 360 so that stakeholders can view and collaborate on specific model details, select sheets and model views and organise documents

An equally important concern is the outsourced partner’s familiarity with local codes and guidelines. A well-experienced offshore team will know or be thoroughly prepared with the local standards and codes of the construction site’s region.

Reliable and professional offshore firms, such as firms with MEP designers in India, can deliver high-quality MEP engineering design services as part of a streamlined workflow while maintaining the regional standards of global clients.

XS CAD has valuable experience providing MEP BIM services, building services coordination and MEP engineering design services for global firms. Our range of MEP design services for MEP consultants include Mechanical & HVAC design, Fire protection design, MEP BIM modelling and MEP drafting.  

For further details, contact press[at]xscad.com