So my office is making the Big Switch for a large project we just won... which is great! I love Revit and really championed our conversion to it. However, I am the only one in the office who has really used it in a professional setting (I used it for 3 years at my old firm) and I know I am going to be pegged as the interim BIM manager on top of my existing workload (as Project Manager / Architect on a smaller project). I am worried that my whole life will become setting Revit Standards, helping neophytes who don't know what they're doing, fixing families that have broken, and struggling to prevent what will surely be an inevitable implosion of the first model the team works on. I also do not particularly want to be part of this project team, as while the project is huge and prestigious, I know it's going to be a disaster (it's a municipal project approved by a past administration and thus subject to probably endless revisions). Beyond all of this, I am a little rusty, having not worked with the program in 2 years.
So what should I do? Just demand so much money that they outsource it? Suck it up and deal? I worry that I will become further distanced from doing the work I actually love (and have sacrificed so much to be able to do) to do work I find really tedious.
I would suck it up and deal. That said, I would also try to seek some compensation if it adds a great deal to your workload. Revit is like riding a bike, once you get back on it won't take long to remember. Use revitforum.org, revitcity.com, and any of the other major forums if you need to.
If that project is coming down the pike, it will be a shit show to try and create standards while you're trying to start this project. They really need to be done before the project starts. Lot of that work could be done from home with the right laptop or work station. Maybe negotiate "work from home" in addition to compensation. Will be a differentiator for you and a plan b for future employment. Have the company pay for advanced training. Could be an opportunity to embrace the technology? But if you're really going to be unhappy...well... only you know.
From what you've mentioned, I would sit down with the partner(s) -- soon -- and have a initial discussion.
At my last job the same thing happened -- get the big job, THEN figure out the necessary Revit skills. The project got done, but this was not a good approach. You do NOT want to be in the crosshairs on this one. Did you push for Revit on the project? I mean, did you shoot yourself in the foot by overstating the case for Revit and your Revit ability?
I really love Revit, but many CAD-centric types hate it, don't want to learn, often can't seem to learn it, etc. Dealing with your Revit-challenged co-workers could end up making you the target of all Revit-based vitriol.
Definitely worth bringing up the subject in the next office meeting so you can manage some expectations as to your role.
If you were the one who was the major force in suggesting a significant change in workflow and managed convince the higher ups to move forward with it, you are the one who has to figure out how to make it work. Otherwise it won't bode well for your relationship with your coworkers.
There is going to be a learning curve, and it's going to be painful - and if you want to remain on good terms with people in your office you are going to have to be helpful.
Thanks everyone. I advocated for it, but was not the driving force; it's something the office has been toying with for a while. Beyond that, the city requires the project to be done in Revit so we didn't really have a choice. I have no doubt I will incur some of the wrath of my coworkers (Revit is super frustrating when you're new to it! I remember! You have to take it out on someone!).
I am happy to be helpful, it's just I guess I need to figure out how to manage my bosses' expectations of what i will have time to do and what implementing Revit really means (because I am not entirely certain they understand how Revit is different from CAD).
I realize I am going to be in the middle of a shitstorm, I am just trying to figure out how to best gird myself for it.
Hi all. I converted to BIM manager three years ago from Senior Architect. It's everything you say about standards and training noobs. I asked for a large salary and got it as a specialist. I still get to be involved architecturally across many projects without the direct responsibility of running or delivery. Also there is little fear of redundancy in these tough times as there is with Project Architects as the role is considered more valuable to the practice in the bigger picture.
It was best summed up over a few beers with a BIM manager contact at Zaha's. We are at the far geek end of the profession. We would both be in software design if we wanted more money, were less creative and our outputs were purely virtual.
You might need to think of it in a different light. How can you better integrate engineering disciplines? How can you create additional profit by finding efficiency? I am working on a project now where trash paper is translated to Sketchup, which is then translated to Revit, lots of efficiency to be found in that model by a BIM manager. How can you open up new project opportunities for the firm through Integrated Project Delivery?
the way technology is changing its going to very hard for your colleagues to avoid Revit, BIM, or IPD. Technology is really moving so fast that even Revit alone is not going to be enough in a couple of years. If you haven't used revit for, I think you mentioned a couple of years, it may benefit you to start looking into practicing it asap. Though you know Revit is a tool, what makes a good revit user is a person that knows how things are built, sequenced, etc. If you are in a position to demand a higher salary do it. Its going to be a long hard number of years for everyone just now starting with revit. Just a small piece of advice don't try to over control every aspect of your project file, it may come back and bite you in the ass.
good luck
Mar 9, 14 1:07 am ·
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I don't want to be my office's BIM manager.
So my office is making the Big Switch for a large project we just won... which is great! I love Revit and really championed our conversion to it. However, I am the only one in the office who has really used it in a professional setting (I used it for 3 years at my old firm) and I know I am going to be pegged as the interim BIM manager on top of my existing workload (as Project Manager / Architect on a smaller project). I am worried that my whole life will become setting Revit Standards, helping neophytes who don't know what they're doing, fixing families that have broken, and struggling to prevent what will surely be an inevitable implosion of the first model the team works on. I also do not particularly want to be part of this project team, as while the project is huge and prestigious, I know it's going to be a disaster (it's a municipal project approved by a past administration and thus subject to probably endless revisions). Beyond all of this, I am a little rusty, having not worked with the program in 2 years.
So what should I do? Just demand so much money that they outsource it? Suck it up and deal? I worry that I will become further distanced from doing the work I actually love (and have sacrificed so much to be able to do) to do work I find really tedious.
Suggestions?
I would suck it up and deal. That said, I would also try to seek some compensation if it adds a great deal to your workload. Revit is like riding a bike, once you get back on it won't take long to remember. Use revitforum.org, revitcity.com, and any of the other major forums if you need to.
Good luck.
If that project is coming down the pike, it will be a shit show to try and create standards while you're trying to start this project. They really need to be done before the project starts. Lot of that work could be done from home with the right laptop or work station. Maybe negotiate "work from home" in addition to compensation. Will be a differentiator for you and a plan b for future employment. Have the company pay for advanced training. Could be an opportunity to embrace the technology? But if you're really going to be unhappy...well... only you know.
From what you've mentioned, I would sit down with the partner(s) -- soon -- and have a initial discussion.
At my last job the same thing happened -- get the big job, THEN figure out the necessary Revit skills. The project got done, but this was not a good approach. You do NOT want to be in the crosshairs on this one. Did you push for Revit on the project? I mean, did you shoot yourself in the foot by overstating the case for Revit and your Revit ability?
I really love Revit, but many CAD-centric types hate it, don't want to learn, often can't seem to learn it, etc. Dealing with your Revit-challenged co-workers could end up making you the target of all Revit-based vitriol.
Definitely worth bringing up the subject in the next office meeting so you can manage some expectations as to your role.
If you were the one who was the major force in suggesting a significant change in workflow and managed convince the higher ups to move forward with it, you are the one who has to figure out how to make it work. Otherwise it won't bode well for your relationship with your coworkers.
There is going to be a learning curve, and it's going to be painful - and if you want to remain on good terms with people in your office you are going to have to be helpful.
Thanks everyone. I advocated for it, but was not the driving force; it's something the office has been toying with for a while. Beyond that, the city requires the project to be done in Revit so we didn't really have a choice. I have no doubt I will incur some of the wrath of my coworkers (Revit is super frustrating when you're new to it! I remember! You have to take it out on someone!).
I am happy to be helpful, it's just I guess I need to figure out how to manage my bosses' expectations of what i will have time to do and what implementing Revit really means (because I am not entirely certain they understand how Revit is different from CAD).
I realize I am going to be in the middle of a shitstorm, I am just trying to figure out how to best gird myself for it.
I know a few large offices that have hired full time BIM managers and their wages easily cross into the 6-figure mark. Perhaps it's not all bad.
Hi all. I converted to BIM manager three years ago from Senior Architect. It's everything you say about standards and training noobs. I asked for a large salary and got it as a specialist. I still get to be involved architecturally across many projects without the direct responsibility of running or delivery. Also there is little fear of redundancy in these tough times as there is with Project Architects as the role is considered more valuable to the practice in the bigger picture.
It was best summed up over a few beers with a BIM manager contact at Zaha's. We are at the far geek end of the profession. We would both be in software design if we wanted more money, were less creative and our outputs were purely virtual.
liznieve,
the way technology is changing its going to very hard for your colleagues to avoid Revit, BIM, or IPD. Technology is really moving so fast that even Revit alone is not going to be enough in a couple of years. If you haven't used revit for, I think you mentioned a couple of years, it may benefit you to start looking into practicing it asap. Though you know Revit is a tool, what makes a good revit user is a person that knows how things are built, sequenced, etc. If you are in a position to demand a higher salary do it. Its going to be a long hard number of years for everyone just now starting with revit. Just a small piece of advice don't try to over control every aspect of your project file, it may come back and bite you in the ass.
good luck
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