BIM Roles — Manager, Coordinator, Modeller

BIM roles are the standardised positions in a BIM-managed project, with specific responsibilities and competencies. Per ISO 19650-1:2018, the principal BIM roles: (1) Information Manager — oversees the EIR + BEP and CDE management; ensures information flow per agreed protocols. (2) BIM Coordinator — coordinates between disciplines; manages clash detection; maintains the federated model. (3) BIM Modeler — produces and updates discipline-specific models per LOD requirements. (4) BIM Reviewer — verifies model quality, completeness, and compliance with standards. (5) BIM Author — creates new model content; typically architects, engineers, MEP designers. (6) Lead Designer — overall design responsibility; in BIM context, ensures design coordination across disciplines.

Indian BIM team structure (typical major project): (a) Client side — Information Manager (1), BIM Reviewer (1-2). (b) Lead designer — BIM Coordinator (1), BIM Authors (3-8 per discipline). (c) Sub-contractors — BIM Modelers (specialty design + fabrication detail). For a typical commercial high-rise: total BIM team 8-15 people for 18-24 months. Cost: BIM team 5-10% of total project design cost. Major Indian BIM consultancies: Capacit'e, Genesis, BIM Workshop, ROOTS BIM, Buro Happold India, Aedas.

The most-overlooked aspect of Indian BIM team management: roles vs deliverables. Many Indian projects assign BIM roles ad-hoc; ISO 19650 mandates explicit role assignment with corresponding responsibilities and accountability. Without clear role assignment, accountability for BIM quality is diffuse and projects drift toward poor BIM execution.