BIM mandatory in Germany from 2023 - The BIM Masterplan explained

The gradual introduction begins with basic BIM use, which covers all planning and construction phases, followed by advanced applications for tendering, awarding and construction, right up to fully digitalized process integration in the higher budget categories. The aim is to use BIM to increase efficiency, planning reliability, transparency and sustainability in federal construction projects.

BIM introduction for federal construction projects: A phased implementation

• Level 1 - Basic implementation (start: end of 2022):
  In this first level, BIM will be introduced as the standard for all new federal construction projects, starting at the end of 2022. The focus is on integrating BIM into early planning and design phases in order to create a solid basis for all subsequent steps. The aim is to establish end-to-end digital planning that enables better visualization, cost control and scheduling. Level 1 is mandatory, with nine specific use cases focusing on the project preparation and planning phase.
  
  

• Level 2 - Extended application and process integration (target: from 2023 for major projects, from 2025 for projects from EUR 0.5 million):
  With the second level, BIM will become mandatory for projects above a certain financial volume, starting with very large construction measures from EUR 50 million in 2023 and extended to all construction measures from EUR 0.5 million from 2025. Here, the scope of application will be extended to tendering, awarding and execution processes and five further BIM use cases will be added. This stage provides for BIM to be used for improved coordination, for tendering procedures and for monitoring construction progress. The aim is to increase transparency and efficiency in project implementation.
  
  

• Level 3 - Complete digitalization and integration (finalization by 2027):
  In the final stage, the BIM application is extended to all construction projects, regardless of budget. The focus is on the digital implementation of all processes without media disruptions, starting with very large construction projects from 2025 and extending to all construction projects from EUR 0.5 million from 2027. Particular attention is paid to integrating the operation and maintenance phase into the BIM model, which enables comprehensive use of the digital twin across the entire life cycle of the building. The aim is to achieve sustainable optimization of construction and building management. The focus at this stage is on supporting external approval processes by other authorities and on logistics planning with BIM.
  
  

Source: BIM master plan for federal buildings

When will which use cases become mandatory?

A BIM use case (AwF) defines a specific action or process step that is carried out using the BIM method. Each level specifies which use cases are mandatory. Further use cases are added on top of each other. In this way, the three levels define the individual steps for achieving the BIM objectives.

Use cases for level 1

Level 1 describes the introduction to the BIM planning method and lays the foundation for the further phases of a building's life cycle. In addition, all project participants and executing parties are integrated into the process.

• AWF 010: As-built survey and modeling

  Creation of a BIM model for existing buildings and/or terrain, combining available documentation and supplementary surveys such as measurements, 3D scans and photogrammetry. The content and level of detail of the as-built model depends on the specific objective of the survey.
  
  

• AWF 020: Requirements planning

  Digital creation of requirements planning and implementation of location and procurement variant analysis using BIM. This creates a digital basis for the early phases of project preparation.
  
  

• AWF 030: Preparation of budget justifying documents

  BIM-supported preparation of the documents supporting the budget, including the model-based investigation of planning variants, simplified quantity and cost determination and the initiation of model-based award procedures.
  
  

• AWF 040: Visualization

  Derivation of visualizing elements from BIM models to promote the imagination of project participants and the public, including renderings, videos and digital realities.
  
  

• AWF 050: Coordination of the specialist trades

  Merging the technical and sub-models created by different trades into a coordination model that is regularly updated to ensure the coordination and integration of all technical aspects.
  
  

• AWF 060: Quality and progress control of planning

  Regular review of the planning status of the submodels and the coordination model, including (partially) automated collision checks at defined points in time.
  
  

• AWF 080: Derivation of planning documents

  Creation of 2D plans from BIM models, whereby the scale of the plans is adapted to the respective service phase or the intended use.
  
  

• AWF 180: Commissioning management

  Digital support for commissioning management, from the planning phase to handover to operation, with a focus on technical building equipment.
  
  

• AWF 190: Building documentation

  Creation of an as-built model as a continuation of the as-planned model, which is also used for handover to operation, taking into account the requirements for construction documentation and as-built documentation.
  
  

Use cases for Level 2

In Level II, the application of BIM focuses on the tendering and awarding phase as well as the execution of construction work. Quantities, costs and bills of quantities are derived directly from the model. Model-based communication and collaboration also continue during the construction phase. An important aspect of this is the monitoring of construction progress and the tracking of changes, supplements and defects.

• AWF 100: Quantity and cost determination

  Rule-based derivation of quantities from BIM models. The quantities are
  determined on the basis of component geometry and object features and attributes. By linking model elements and quantities with costs it is possible to determine costs. The required accuracy of a quantity and cost calculation is based on the corresponding service phase or its intended use.
  
  

• AWF 110: Bill of quantities

  Derivation of bill of quantities items on the basis of model-based determined quantities and
  associated processes, service items and partial services.
  
  

• AWF 140: Construction progress control and quality inspection

  Regular comparison of the target status from as-planned models with the actual construction progress on the construction site (actual status). This includes both adherence to the schedule as well as adherence to qualitative specifications. Deviations between the actual and target status can be recorded, displayed and documented using the models.
  
  

• AWF 150: Change and supplement management

  BIM models are used to record the type, scope and cause of planning changes and supplementary claims during the construction process, track and approve them. This means that planning changes
  and their effects on other processes can be better documented and communicated. This use case can also be used to check whether requested supplements should actually be treated as such.
  
  

• AWF 170: Acceptance and defect management

  BIM models are used to record, visualize and document defects and their rectification and to make the information available to all parties involved. This use case can also be used to document the
  document and track the warranty of construction services.
  
  

Use cases for Level 3

In Level III, the focus is on driving forward further important steps of digitalization in BIM projects in order to avoid media disruptions. This includes model-based scheduling and logistics planning as well as the handling of approval and billing processes. Important data, information and planning documents are derived and processed directly from the digital building model for technical and building law approval as well as budgetary approval. This also includes model-based dimensioning and verification for all specialist planning.

• AWF 70: Design and verification management

  Implementation and/or presentation of verification and design procedures or simulations based on BIM models. The possible applications of this use case are very diverse. In addition to verifications that must be carried out, for example, in the context of occupational safety and fire protection or structural design, the model can also be used to verify planning requirements from guidelines and construction guidelines applicable to federal construction (e.g. sustainable construction, accessibility). The scope of model-based design and verification procedures to be carried out must be defined on a project-specific basis.
  
  

• AWF 90: Approval process

  Examination of the construction documents, granting of building law and technical approval (in particular also from external authorities) based on BIM models and the planning documents derived from them. All inspection results and comments are passed on and documented digitally during the entire approval process.
  
  

  AWF 120: Scheduling

  Linking of model elements with requirements for processes, sequences, construction times and deadlines. Schedules and construction process simulations, for example, can then be derived from the BIM models.
  
  

• AWF 130: Logistics planning

  Scheduling and communication of construction site logistics using BIM models (e.g. construction site equipment, transport of construction materials, temporary construction roads, cranes, etc.).
  
  

• AWF 160: Billing of construction services

  Use of quantities of completed objects derived from BIM models and associated services to create or check final and partial invoices.
  
  

BIM in a country comparison

BIM is already mandatory in many European countries. In others, it is being introduced gradually. The exact definition and level of detail of BIM differs from country to country. We have compiled an overview of the current status for you:

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