Work packaging with BIM

The fact that a large portion of the work in construction projects is usually carried out by different subcontractors, makes an effective work packaging process crucial for the subsequent execution planning. However, the definition of optimal work packages is currently challenging and time consuming. A method was developed to allow the work packaging process to be carried out in a more accurate and efficient way, using data from Building Information Models (BIM). This method is based on a bottom-up approach that can take into account relations between specific components, and the consequent interruptions that will occur in the construction processes. The method incorporates BIM data in Design Structure Matrices and Domain Mapping Matrices to automatically generate a list of proposed work packages with minimal interfaces. An application of the method in a case study demonstrated that it can accelerate the work packaging process, and allow alternative solutions to be explored at an early stage in the project.