In today’s fast-paced construction industry, Building Information Modelling (BIM) has moved beyond being just a design tool—it has become the central pillar of project coordination, accuracy, and delivery. One of the most impactful processes within BIM workflows is the BIM Coordination Review (BCR), which ensures that every design and engineering detail aligns seamlessly before construction begins.
While many professionals know the benefits of clash detection, the value lies in a structured coordination review that fosters communication and prevents costly rework.
What is a BIM Coordination Review?
A BIM Coordination Review (BCR) is the systematic process of reviewing, analysing, and resolving conflicts between different building systems—structural, architectural, and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing).
Instead of discovering issues on-site, the review identifies clashes, overlaps, or design discrepancies in the digital environment, saving time and money. This proactive step helps construction teams achieve:
- Reduced conflicts during execution
- Improved collaboration across disciplines
- Greater confidence in construction documentation
The Role of BIM Coordination Reviews in Project Success
1. Preventing Costly On-Site Errors
Errors discovered during construction can lead to delays, redesigns, and financial setbacks. By conducting coordination reviews in BIM models, teams mitigate these risks early.
2. Enabling Multidisciplinary Collaboration
BCR ensures that architects, engineers, and contractors work in alignment. When all parties review the model together, the result is a well-coordinated design.
3. Supporting Accurate Construction Documentation
High-quality construction drawings depend on well-reviewed models. Without a proper BCR, inconsistencies in the design can seep into the documentation, leading to confusion on-site.
Best Practices for Effective BIM Coordination Reviews
- Establish a Clear Review Protocol
- Define review cycles, responsibilities, and escalation paths before starting coordination.
- Use Model Checking Tools
- Tools like Navisworks, Solibri, or BIM 360 can automate clash detection and highlight critical issues.
- Prioritize Issues
- Not all clashes are equally critical. Focus on those that directly impact constructability and safety.
- Keep Stakeholders Engaged
- Involve project managers, subcontractors, and field teams in the review to ensure practical solutions are developed.
- Document the Process
- Maintain records of clashes, resolutions, and responsibilities to improve accountability and serve as future references.
Looking Ahead: BIM Coordination as a Standard Practice
With the growing adoption of BIM worldwide, coordination reviews are becoming mandatory in digital project delivery. Many firms are now developing internal standards and workflows to integrate BCR seamlessly into their design processes.
To dive deeper into how BIM Coordination Reviews are conducted in real-world projects, check out this detailed resource: BIM Modelling & Coordination Review Case Study.
Final Thoughts
Construction projects are too complex to rely on intuition alone. By adopting BIM Coordination Reviews, project teams gain clarity, reduce uncertainty, and confidently deliver results. BCR bridges the gap between design intent and construction reality, ensuring projects are built right the first time.
