BIM in construction: benefits, obligations, and regulations

What is BIM and why it is central to modern construction

Building Information Modeling (BIM) represents a digital methodology for the design, construction, and management of buildings and infrastructure. In Italy, BIM has become a pillar of digital transformation in the construction sector, promoting collaboration and transparency among all stakeholders. BIM adoption is driven by both operational benefits and increasingly stringent regulatory requirements.

Obligations and deadlines: the Italian regulatory framework

BIM adoption in Italy is governed by a set of specific regulations that define obligations, timelines, and financial thresholds for public works:

• BIM Decree (D.M. 560/2017): introduced the progressive obligation of BIM in public procurement, starting with higher-value projects.
• Public Contracts Code (D.Lgs. 50/2016 and D.Lgs. 36/2023): establishes the general rules for awarding and executing public contracts, integrating digital processes.
• Corrective Decree (D.Lgs. 209/2024): from January 1, 2025, BIM will be mandatory for all public works with a value above €2 million and, for cultural heritage assets, above the EU threshold.
• Exceptions: projects with a Feasibility Document of Design Alternatives (DocFAP) approved by December 31, 2024 may be exempt, even if the tender is launched later.

Contracting authorities must comply by preparing organizational acts, training plans, and suitable digital tools, otherwise risking exclusion from public tenders.

Obligations for contracting authorities, designers, and contractors

To comply with BIM regulations, the different industry players must meet specific requirements:

• Contracting authorities: preparation of internal organizational acts, staff training, acquisition of adequate software and hardware, and appointment of key roles such as BIM Manager, BIM Coordinator, and BIM Specialist.
• Designers and contractors: compliance with the Information Requirements (EIR), management of Levels of Detail (LOD), software interoperability, and achievement of recognized professional certifications.

Training and certification of BIM skills are essential elements to ensure process quality and regulatory compliance.

The benefits of BIM for the construction industry

BIM adoption offers concrete benefits across the entire construction value chain. Key advantages include:

• Operational efficiency: reduced design and construction timelines thanks to centralized information and process automation.
• Error reduction: 3D modeling and integrated data management enable early detection and correction of inconsistencies before the construction phase.
• Advanced collaboration: all stakeholders (designers, contractors, clients) work on a shared model, improving communication and reducing conflicts.
• Lifecycle management: BIM enables monitoring and management of the building from design through maintenance, optimizing costs and resources.
• Transparency and control: every change is tracked, ensuring process transparency and greater control over progress.
• Simulations and analysis: ability to perform energy, structural, and MEP simulations to assess the impact of design decisions.

Practical examples: real-time simulation of design changes, space management, and technical component monitoring are just some of the applications that make BIM indispensable for competitiveness in the construction sector.

Technical standards and reference regulations

BIM adoption is supported by technical standards that ensure process standardization and quality:

• UNI 11337: governs the digital management of construction information processes, defining roles, workflows, and levels of detail.
• UNI EN ISO 19650: international standard for information management in BIM processes.
• UNI 11337-7: identifies BIM professional profiles and related certifications (BIM Specialist, Coordinator, Manager, CDE Manager).

Compliance with these standards is essential to guarantee interoperability and quality in BIM projects.

BIM tools and platforms: from software to Digital Twin

Implementing BIM requires specialized software tools and collaborative platforms:

• BIM software: Revit, Archicad, Tekla, Allplan are among the most widely used for modeling and data management.
• CDE (Common Data Environment): centralizes documentation and facilitates collaboration among teams.
• Open formats (IFC): ensure interoperability among different software and stakeholders.
• Clash detection: tools to identify and resolve conflicts between design disciplines.

The evolution of BIM leads toward the Digital Twin: a dynamic digital replica of the building, integrated with IoT and management systems (CMMS), enabling real-time monitoring and predictive optimization of maintenance and management activities.

Challenges and future perspectives

Despite its many advantages, BIM adoption presents some challenges:

• Inconsistencies among contracting authorities and lack of dedicated resources.
• Need for continuous training and skills updates.
• Risk of exclusion from tenders for those who fail to comply with regulatory obligations.

Future perspectives focus on advanced digitalization, artificial intelligence, Digital Twins, and full interoperability between systems and platforms.

Challenges and future perspectives

UTwin is a platform that integrates BIM, Digital Twin, and CMMS into a single digital environment. It enables data centralization, simplified management of buildings and systems, real-time monitoring, and compliance with BIM regulations. Thanks to its interoperability with major software solutions and ease of use, UTwin is an effective solution for those looking to tackle construction digitalization in a secure and compliant way.

UTwin: the platform for digital building management

Adopting BIM means being ready for market challenges, complying with regulatory obligations, and gaining competitive advantages in terms of efficiency, quality, and innovation. Investing in training and appropriate tools is the key to driving digital transformation in construction.