BIM and Small Contractors with Alex Harris

Alex Digital Engineering Leader at Bielby Holdings, joined the Digital Construction Podcast to share real-world lessons in navigating BIM and digital delivery for a small contractor.

He discussed strategies for achieving Tier 1 quality outputs with limited resources, focusing on delivering immediate project value rather than getting caught up in "big flashy things". Alex also provided an overview of how the digital engineering landscape is rapidly evolving in Queensland, driven by major state government clients and infrastructure goals like the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

The Core Difference: Leaner Teams, Sharper Focus

When distinguishing small contractors from larger Tier 1 firms, Alex noted that smaller companies must operate much leaner, requiring the Digital Engineering Leader to be a "Jack of all trades" who is actively hands-on with the tools. While Tier 1 firms often focus on grand approaches and "big flashy things," Small contractors must focus more acutely on what brings immediate value to the project right now. Despite resource limitations, Alex believes a small contractor can still deliver "Tier 1 level" quality by having the right people and focusing on essential delivery. The software and skilled personnel are often the same; only the company context changes.

Foundational Advice: Quality Over Speed

Alex advocates for applying the classic principle of "measure twice, cut once" in the career and project delivery context. He advised engineers and designers not to rush, but instead to take time and ensure outputs are correct. Rushing often leads to errors and causes more rework for others down the line. By slowing down and performing one more check, teams generally save everyone time and effort in the long run. He emphasised taking ownership and pride in one’s work, as delivering quality outputs remains critical in the small construction industry.

Doing More with Less

In situations where project resources are limited, embracing the "doing more with less" philosophy is essential. This requires Digital Engineering professionals to be flexible, pushing themselves to learn new tools and quickly figure out the inner intricacies of different software programs. Implementing small, targeted, low-cost solutions can have a big impact. Alex advises proactively seeking scalable and multi-purpose efficiencies that can be reused and adapted for subsequent projects.

Leveraging AI and Low-Cost Digital Wins

Alex pointed out that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a "real game changer" by making scripting significantly more accessible, even for non-full-time coders who understand the desired outcome. Using AI tools allows teams to solve problems and automate processes, such as checking or pushing data into IFC files, often avoiding the necessity of purchasing expensive commercial platforms altogether. Beyond AI, other low-cost, high-impact wins discussed include using basic tools like Navisworks for clash detection and developing small Dynamo nodes to visualise clashes in a 3D model.

Perfection is the Enemy of Good

When managing deliverable constraints (time and budget), Alex stressed the importance of knowing what is "good enough" without sacrificing quality. The concept of "perfect is the enemy of good" is a guiding principle; accuracy should only be driven to the level that genuinely adds value. This often means referring to LOD. Highly detailed geometry models, internal product connections, or detailed hardware components are considered "all noise if no one’s using it". The model must represent the object clearly, and key interfaces must be accurate. Deliverables should match the submission intent: a preliminary submission communicates intent, while a formal submission requires higher accuracy.

Coordination and Compromise Across Disciplines

Alex’s broad technical background, spanning plant layout and mechanical fabrication, has deeply influenced his view of Digital Engineering, highlighting the importance of looking at things from different perspectives. He stressed that teams cannot afford to work in silos. A healthy project requires coordination and is built on compromises. Even seemingly "less flexible" disciplines can provide options if approached with genuine discussions to air concerns and find common ground that benefits the project. His fabrication background instilled a sharp eye for detail and rigor in QA checks to ensure deliverables are consistent and reliable, adhering again to the "measure twice, cut once" principle.

The State of Digital Engineering in Queensland

The digital engineering adoption is being primarily driven by state government clients, who are pushing BIM and DE requirements forward and helping DE gain recognition as a genuine value driver on projects. While smaller private clients and councils are showing glimpses of DE adoption, the bar is generally rising with each major project pushing boundaries and feeding back into the next round of client requirements. Expectations for BIM have drastically increased compared to five years ago. For infrastructure, the industry is close to reaching a "3D by default" mindset, with basic attribute embedding following closely, although detailed Level of Information (LOI) remains heavily dependent on client requirements. While the regional spread of Queensland creates varied maturity levels, success in one region sets a precedent and lifts the standard across the state.

Key Takeaways

• Small contractors achieve high quality by staying lean and focusing strictly on what adds immediate project value.
• Digital Engineering professionals must be flexible, willing to teach themselves new tools, and look for scalable solutions they can reuse.
• AI is a massive game changer, allowing low-cost scripting solutions to check and push data into files, sometimes avoiding the need for expensive commercial software.
• When delivering models, remember the principle that "perfect is the enemy of good"; models should only be accurate to the LOD that actually adds value.
• Multi-disciplinary experience teaches the importance of collaboration and compromise for a healthy project outcome; silos must be eliminated.
• In Queensland, state government clients are rapidly raising digital expectations, moving the infrastructure sector toward a "3D by default" approach.