Episode Content

Simon Simon Dilhas, known throughout the digital seas as The BIM Pirate, believes the current course of the AEC industry is sinking our potential. He doesn't hold back, asserting that BIM has become "extra busy work" leading to massive waste. In this episode, The BIM Pirate challenges conventional practices, insisting that the biggest barrier to digital adoption isn't technology, it's the outdated business model where companies sell time, not true value. Digital transformation requires a fundamental shift in mindset, communication, and how we define project deliverables.

Why the AEC Industry Needs More Pirates

The BIM Pirate persona was born from the need for a rebellious spirit in the BIM world. Simon  explains that traditional BIM has become decoupled from real value creation in projects. The frustration stems from fighting against the "parrots" who just repeat what others say and lack their own critical opinion. Simon believes the AEC industry needs more true pirates, those willing to challenge the wrong direction, to succeed.

It’s a Business Model Problem

The Pirate points out two major misconceptions that frustrate him most. Firstly, treating BIM as mere software is incorrect; it is fundamentally a new way of working together. Secondly, and most critically, leaders believe they can see digitalization separate from the business model. Since most AEC firms earn money by selling time, there is zero incentive to save time using tools like BIM and Simon calls this a "nonsense". The failure to progress is primarily a sales problem, not a technological one, stemming from the inability to sell the value being provided.

Stop Buying Software and Start Solving Problems

Simon advises strongly against the usual approach to digital transformation: buying software and instructing a junior or intern to lead the process. This strategy simply will not work. Instead, Simon guides companies (starting with senior management) to first explore the fundamental business problems and challenges they are currently facing. Digital transformation is achieved by focusing on creating a mindset to adapt quickly, iterate, learn, and experiment, because technology is accelerating unbelievably fast. His methodology is to identify tiny processes that are very easy to implement, knowing that even small successes build the critical learning mindset needed for long-term change.

Asking the Basic Human Question: "What Do You Really Need?"

A significant amount of waste is created because engineers and architects forget how to communicate effectively with clients and collaborators. Simon notes that project teams often jump straight into drawings and focusing on their craft, rather than asking the basic human question: "What do you really need?". This communication breakdown results in painful endless loops, such as the classic battle between the architect needing duct sizes and the mechanical engineer needing a finalized layout to provide those sizes. Leaders must encourage teams to break down these silos and specify exactly what data they need, rather than broadly demanding "everything".

Turning Weeks of Work into Hours

Automation is immensely powerful, but only if the input is consistent. The BIM Pirate champions the idea of defining the minimum required data necessary to perform a function. By focusing merely on spaces (room areas, heights, and use), systems can automatically calculate elements like interior walls (which are just the emptiness between two spaces). This approach dramatically shortens the feedback loop: instead of taking six months to reach a client consultation, it can take ten minutes. In one case, a general contractor used this method (just spaces and windows) to get all necessary quantities for their bid in three hours, eliminating two weeks of manual work.

Ditching the Word 'BIM' and Embracing Openness

Looking to the future, Simon Dillas expresses his great hope that in five to ten years, the industry will stop discussing the term 'BIM' entirely, allowing The BIM Pirate to finally relax. The immediate goal must be to reduce silos and focus on the flow of information. Open standards, such as IFC and Speckle, are crucial in this effort because they offer longevity and can be read decades from now, unlike proprietary closed systems that often fail to open old versions after just a few years.

Key Takeaways

  • Fix Your Business Model: The single biggest problem is the outdated business model where time is sold, creating no incentive to adopt time-saving technology.
  • Mindset Over Software: Digital transformation is not about buying software; it’s about adopting a mindset to iterate quickly, learn, and experiment constantly.
  • Focus on Value, Not Craft: Stop prioritizing engineering or architectural craft and start asking clients the fundamental human question: "What do you really need?".
  • Define Minimum Data: Define minimum required input data (like volumes or spaces) to enable powerful automation and fast feedback loops.
  • Embrace Open Standards: Use open standards like IFC and Speckle to ensure the security and longevity of data exchange, resisting closed vendor systems.