In the medical world, the “Triangle of Death” refers to a dangerous section of the face. It spans from the nose to the corners of the mouth, where infections can quickly spread to the brain. A minor issue in this area can turn into a life-threatening crisis.
In the construction world, we face our own “Triangle of Death.” This isn’t about anatomy, but rather communication breakdowns between field leadership, the prefabrication shop, and the virtual construction (VC) team.
Each team knows its work intimately. Field teams understand the demands onsite, while the prefabrication shop excels at streamlining manufacturing processes, and the VC team ensures every model is precisely crafted. Yet, despite this expertise, there’s a dangerous disconnect. Without clear communication, this lack of alignment can cause problems to escalate—just like an unchecked infection in the “Triangle of Death.”
To tackle miscommunication in BIM project coordination, we consulted industry experts who face this daily challenge. Bruna Marra, Electrical VDC Specialist at ENG, and Evan Bowman, VC Design Manager at Dynalectric, shared their expertise. They presented at the Advancing Electrical Prefabrication Event in Dallas in September 2024.
This post will explore the key ideas Marra and Bowman discussed to bridge the gap between these teams.
Breaking the Bermuda Triangle of Miscommunication in BIM Project Coordination
Communication breakdowns between the VC team, field leadership, and the prefab shop can lead to project chaos. These breakdowns create delays, rework, and frustration. A major issue lies in the disconnect between these departments.
Tools like Revit are essential, but they are not user-friendly or intuitive for field and prefab teams. This makes it challenging to keep everyone on the same page. Evan Bowman explains, “They know their scope of work well. However, they lack understanding of the other departments’ challenges or operations. They don’t really speak the same language.“
This communication gap becomes especially clear when unexpected obstacles arise. Without a clear communication path, field teams often don’t know who to contact. This delays the resolution of issues.
The prefab shop also faces challenges. Without enough context from the job site, they may deliver materials or products that don’t account for real-time changes in the field. This can lead to further complications. Material lead times and availability can also become major bottlenecks.
“We ran into a footing that wasn’t accounted for in the model, and suddenly, we needed to change the routing,” Bowman recalls. In that case, the field team quickly turned to him to correct the issue because he was onsite.
This example highlights a systemic problem. When communication breaks down, critical information isn’t shared with VC teams. The resulting delays can be costly.
Addressing Communication Gaps in BIM Industry
Bruna Marra, an Electrical VDC Specialist at ENG, has worked remotely and in the field, giving her a unique perspective on communication between VC teams and field operations. With her expanded knowledge, Bruna offers practical tips for improving department communication and collaboration. One of her key recommendations involves using transparent, organized layers in Bluebeam Revu to divide tasks by service type and ensure the work is structured efficiently. “We’ve used layers to separate services, making it easier to keep everything organized and ensure that each modular component is clear,” Bruna explains. She also emphasizes the importance of tools like SmartSheet and Snagit, which help streamline project documentation and general organization. “Being onsite helped me find a common language with the field team. Maintaining constant communication and staying flexible as the project needs to evolve.”
Moreover, real-time communication on the job site offers significant advantages for keeping projects on track and ensuring that all departments are aligned. Having a dedicated team member onsite allows for immediate feedback, which is crucial for adjusting to unexpected changes, such as discrepancies between the as-built conditions and the model. Field teams can provide insights directly to the VC team, ensuring issues are addressed promptly and collaboratively. Additionally, engaging with multiple departments—whether it’s field operations, prefab, or project management—helps maintain a flow of information that drives improvements and fosters growth across the board. Ensuring feedback is shared in real time allows all teams to stay focused on the same goals, reducing the potential for rework and delays.
The Role of Onsite Coordinators in BIM Projects
Miscommunication between the VC team, field leadership, and the prefab shop often stems from each department speaking its own language. Sitting the teams together doesn’t always bridge this gap. As Evan Bowman explains, “The VC guys speak VC, and the field guys speak field. There’s no uniformity in how the information flows.” The solution isn’t another software, spreadsheet, or tool—it’s a person. An onsite coordinator who understands the workflows of each department and can distribute information is critical to ensuring smooth project execution. “I found that a person in the field could gather and distribute knowledge between everyone, ensuring all teams were on the same page,” Bowman adds. While highly beneficial, this role is challenging to fill—it requires deep knowledge of field operations, prefabrication processes, and BIM workflows, making it a rare but essential position for successful construction projects.
ENG’s Commitment to Onsite BIM Coordination Excellence
Finding the right person to fill an onsite coordinator role—someone who understands the complexities of field operations, prefabrication, and BIM workflows—is no easy task. But this is where ENG steps in. With a pool of highly qualified individuals willing to travel and provide onsite support, ENG helps bridge the communication gap between departments. “ENG helps facilitate this role,” Evan Bowman explains. “Bruna came onsite, and she didn’t just teach me—she also helped other team members understand the workflows. In my three years of working with her, I learned much about Revit and how to make the processes smoother.”
ENG’s approach to training and integrating field leaders into the role of onsite coordinators sets them apart. Bowman continues, “It’s not a plug-and-play solution. This role needs to grow organically, and ENG understands that. It takes someone adaptable, who can cultivate relationships and fully grasp how the workflow between departments operates before real change happens.” By providing field-experienced personnel and gradually training them in BIM, ENG ensures that coordinators are knowledgeable and effective problem solvers who can bring teams together for long-term project success.
Final Thoughts on the Role of Effective BIM Communication
As the construction landscape accelerates, efficient communication is essential for project success. The gaps between VC, field leadership, and prefabrication can often seem unbeatable, but the role of an onsite coordinator provides a vital solution. ENG addresses immediate communication challenges and fosters long-term collaboration and efficiency by offering a human bridge between these teams. With an industry constantly evolving, the importance of real-time coordinated efforts cannot be understated.
ENG’s commitment to training and deploying skilled onsite coordinators is critical in navigating modern construction projects’ complexities. Learn more about ENG’s solutions for BIM project coordination here.
