No Standards, No Problem: Setting Company BIM Standards from Scratch

“Everyone’s using BIM, but no one seems to agree on how.”

That’s the quiet frustration we hear again and again from project teams, especially those working across contractors, subs, and consultants. BIM is meant to bring clarity and coordination. But without a unified set of standards, it can quickly spiral into confusion: mismatched models, inconsistent naming, incomplete geometry, and hours lost trying to decipher someone else’s logic.

For general contractors and project owners, managing multiple stakeholders presents not just an annoyance, but a significant risk.

So why is it so hard to standardize BIM? And what can be done when you’re starting from scratch?

The Pain Points Behind the Model

If you’re overseeing a project and find yourself asking…

• “Why doesn’t this model match the LOD we asked for?”
• “Who decided this naming convention?”
• “Why is it taking so long to get coordinated drawings?”

…you’re not alone.

Many firms dive into BIM without a clear roadmap. Some rely on inherited templates. Others borrow standards from past projects that were never designed for collaboration. In large, fast-moving builds, this lack of structure quickly multiplies:

• Inconsistent modeling between trades
• Delays in approvals due to unclear deliverables
• Rework from incompatible formats or broken links
• Lost trust between stakeholders who can’t “see” each other’s intent

In essence, it’s not just a file problem. It’s a communication problem.

Why Setting Standards Feels So Hard

For many project teams, establishing BIM standards from zero feels overwhelming. You might be wondering:

• Do we need a BEP (BIM Execution Plan) or just a few templates?
• Is there an industry standard we can copy?
• What if our consultants or subs all work differently?

It’s tempting to think of BIM as software-driven. But the truth is, BIM success is workflow-driven. And workflows don’t just happen; they’re designed. That’s where a tailored, project-first approach makes a difference.

 

How GenX Helps You Build the Standard That Works

At GenX, we understand that in large, multi-stakeholder projects, BIM isn’t just a modeling tool, it’s a coordination language. Without clear standards and aligned expectations, even the best tools fall apart under pressure. That’s why we go beyond model production. We act as an integration partner, bridging the gaps between owners, contractors, consultants, and subs to ensure alignment from day one. Our role often sits between design and execution, helping clients:

• Define and implement BIM standards tailored to the project’s scale, systems, and delivery strategy.
• Foster cross-team coordination by bridging technical disciplines and synchronizing workflows across different time zones and organizations.
• Proactively surface design or scope risks through early clash detection, model auditing, and structured information flow.
• Ensure model clarity, contractual alignment, and measurable deliverables to control scope creep and reduce costly change orders.

This integrated approach streamlines coordination, upholds project quality, and mitigates risks associated with complex construction schedules. This is particularly beneficial for infrastructure and public-sector projects, where reliability and adherence to regulations are paramount.

 

From Scratch to Scalable

We’ve helped clients go from disorganized file shares to clean, collaborative BIM environments in a matter of weeks. The results?

• Fewer RFIs
• Faster reviews
• Better trust between trades
• And most importantly, a smoother path to delivery that everyone understands, aligns on, and can confidently move forward with.

Starting from scratch doesn’t have to mean starting in chaos. With the right structure and the right partner, you can turn confusion into coordination.

 

Have a project that needs a clean slate?

Let’s talk about building your BIM standards, from the ground up.