This document discusses how 4D BIM software like VICO Production Controller can be used to create 4D schedules and animations that integrate key project data to facilitate more accurate project planning and management. It describes how 4D BIM can be used to create baseline, actual, and forecast schedules that take real-world factors like location-based productivity into account. The document also discusses how 4D BIM is gaining popularity due to its benefits for tasks like dispute resolution and how it can enhance construction safety by enabling better visibility into the project timeline and spatial coordination of components.

1. VICO Production Controller Software for 4D BIM – This blog talks about taking BIM modeling to the 4th
dimension i.e. time. BIM model has the scheduling component to it, and using this scheduling
component we can create 4D animation and 4D schedules to create a visual representation of how the
project will be built. 4D BIM integrates quantity take off, location based quantities, resources,
productivity rates and labor cost into consideration and helps create a schedule which takes the onsite
conditions into consideration. Location Based Management System and Flowline Theory offer a more
realistic approach to scheduling compared to Critical Path Method. VICO Production Controller software
offers these features.
In LBMS the crew productivity rates, crew productivity variations, site congestion and other location
based components are taken into consideration while making a schedule. This LBMS schedule is
integrated with the BIM model and is updated on a regular basis to reflect the site productivity and site
work progress. This practice is in fact utilizing the “I” i.e. Information part of Building Information
Modeling to benefit a project. 3 types of schedules are created using VICO Production controller
software:-
- Baseline Schedule from the plan - It is the schedule that is based on the planned progress of
work on site. It is the first schedule and has no recent inputs of progress and productivity in it.
- Actual Progress on site which is derived from the data collected in control charts
- New Forecast Schedule – It is created by integrating the information obtained from Actual
Schedule to the Vaseline Schedule. It is a look ahead schedule which takes into consideration
the real site situations and predicts the future scheduling. From the New Forecast Schedule, the
project team can get a clear picture of the current project progress, and whether the project is
on time, ahead, or running late as per planned schedule. If project is running late, then
appropriate measures can be taken to bring the project progress as per schedule.
Construction CPM Trends: 4D BIM Claims Taking Off – The role of Building Information modeling in
taking construction industry from 3D to 4D is well understood and is a rapidly growing trend in the
industry for creating 4D schedules and animation.
BIM has shown clear advantages over traditional, methods in all the fields of construction whether be it
project design, project planning, construction or clash detection etc. One more value addition that BIM
is doing to the industry is its effectiveness in scheduling and construction litigation and its popularity in
dispute claims and claim resolution. It is revolutionary technology and has changed every aspect of how

2. a project is managed. Once a construction company adopts BIM in its projects execution, then there is
no going back. After getting a firsthand experience to the various advantages of BIM, the company
simply cannot think of going back to old methods.
Factors contributing to increased use of BIM-
- Provides various merits over current practices
- Value addition to the organization
- Younger Engineers and construction professionals are using it in their academic studies, and
expect it to be used on projects too
- Helps reduce disputes, claims and litigation – and if they occur then BIM proves advantageous in
their accelerated resolution.
o an animation that provides visualization of the as-built building's timeline next to the
timeline from the original design can make a delay claim quite clear to all the parties
Construction Managers Embrace 4D BIM for Safety – As the project transitions from design and
planning phase to the construction phase, the safety of the people working on the project becomes one
of the major area of focus for a construction manager.
Knowing and having a clear picture of how the project will shape itself is one of the prime factors in
reducing safety risks.
- 4D BIM delivers exactly the same as it creates an animated sequence of various components of
the construction like permanent and temporary works, equipment’s involved etc. in accordance
with the project schedule.
- 4D BIM also helps coordinate schedules, eliminate conflicts and confusion, improve training and
enhance safety by design. The models can help head off spatial conflicts and safety risks that
otherwise might go undetected.
- BIM models should not just be created once and left alone, they should be updated on a regular
basis to reflect real project progress as per site – and this is not an easy task to do, but the value
and benefits outweigh the efforts required.
- Realistic look ahead schedules can be created using 4D BIM model by feeding on site progress
data
Technological Developments-

3. - 4D scheduling techniques are improved continuously
- Automated programs to check for risks and safety code violations being developed
o Solibri Model Checker - a software program that analyzes design models for dimensional
compliance with building codes and regulations—to flag safety issues during
construction and thus help develop a safer design (design for safety concept)
- 4D BIM is also being used to model and simulate detailed safety and logistics plans during risk
analysis throughout projects
- BIM animations provides an interesting approach towards project look ahead schedule. The
animations are not only informative, nut also interesting
- Better 4D planning not only makes jobs safer but also communicates planned activities better to
all stakeholders in a project
- Construction site has people from all level of sophistication and understanding of technology.
There are people in a great deal of technological understanding, and also there are people with
little or no technological knowledge. Visualizations can be very effective for communicating life-
safety information— especially to non-English speaking workers
- Creating realistic visualizations of high-risk scenarios in the context of the work, and then
showing how hazards should be mitigated, is a powerful way to leverage technology for safety.
If safety trainers take advantage of BIM and visualization to improve safety-related storytelling,
their training will have more effect