The benefits of the ‘Golden Thread of information’, BIM and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) for the SME sector

Nov 19, 2021

An interview with digital construction pioneer and leading expert David Emery from the Supply Chain Sustainability School

What, exactly, do we mean by ‘BIM’? And what is this ‘Golden Thread’ of information? More to the point, how do either of these relate to the success of your SME construction business? What are the potential benefits and spin-offs if you decide to adopt BIM?


BIM is not solely for large infrastructure projects; it’s relevant to your SME construction business as well. In this podcast, David Emery demystifies the digital information requirements for BIM and explains why it really isn’t that complicated for SMEs.


We also chat about where BIM can go wrong and whether there’s a risk, for businesses in the SME sector, of giving away IP by collaborating on a 3D model.


MMC (Modern Methods of Construction) and BIM have huge potential for solving some of the most challenging issues in construction. It’s also a huge opportunity for the SME sector. Listen in to find out why.


You’ll also hear about the training and support available from the Supply Chain Sustainability School.


Listen in…

The podcast is 45 minutes long and you can watch or listen to it here (links open in new windows):

Watch on YouTube Listen to the podcast

Short on time?

If you don’t have time to listen to the whole thing, you can scroll to the relevant sections:

1:00 What we mean by the ‘Golden Thread of Information’ in relation to Building Information Modelling (BIM) and the vital role the SME sector and the supply chain must play.

3:00 How David put the Golden Thread and BIM concept into practise with a Tier 1 client and contractor on the £300 million West Midlands Hospital project to engage with the SME sector.

5:30 What we mean exactly by BIM, and the importance of having standards.

7:40 Why BIM is not solely for large infrastructure projects.

12:10 What an excellent BIM project looks like and what is required. Where BIM can also go wrong.

15:40 Demystifying the SME digital information requirements for BIM and why it really isn’t that complicated.

18:40 Is there a risk (for the SME sector) of giving away IP by collaborating on a 3D model?

25:00 The digital tools the SME sector can use to engage with the BIM process – and why it’s highly unlikely to be a BIM authoring tool that you need! How the supply chain got the knowledge and skills needed to engage with the West Midlands Hospital project.

26:25 The potential benefits and spin-offs for the SME sector of adopting BIM.

28:27 BIM in the housing sector – BIM4Housing.

31:13 Why the housing sector is slow to adopt BIM. The key drivers that might accelerate a change.

34:30 How we’re not quite there yet with BIM in terms of clients and facilities managers realising the benefits in the operating phase – and how ‘digital twins’ might accelerate this.

38:25 Modern Methods of Construction: what it is and how MMC and BIM have huge potential for solving some of the most challenging issues in construction. Plus, why it’s also a huge opportunity for the SME sector.

42:00 The training, learning and support available from the Supply Chain Sustainability School.New paragraph

Discover more about digital tools

This podcast has been created thanks to funding from the CITB. If you would like to find out more about how our free training, support and learning resources can help your team or business, go to the Funded Services page or get in touch with chris@digitalconstructionskills.com.

 This post appeared first on Digital Construction Skills.

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