What Is a BIM Execution Plan (BEP)? A Complete Guide

What Is a BIM Execution Plan (BEP)?

A BIM Execution Plan (BEP) is a project-specific document that explains how Building Information Modelling (BIM) will be used, coordinated, reviewed and delivered during a construction project. It establishes the responsibilities, information requirements, modelling procedures and delivery milestones that project teams need to follow.

A construction project involves several teams working on different parts of the same building. Architects develop the building layout, structural engineers design the structural elements, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineers plan the building services. Contractors and specialist teams then use this information to prepare for construction.

Although each team has its own responsibilities, their work must fit together. A change in a structural beam, for example, may affect the route of an HVAC duct or an electrical cable tray. Without a clear coordination process, teams may work with outdated drawings, use different model versions or discover design conflicts late in the project.

A BIM Execution Plan for construction projects helps reduce this confusion by defining how project information will be created, shared, checked and approved.

The document may also be called a BIM Project Execution Plan (PxP) in some organisations or project environments. The terminology should be agreed with the client and clearly defined in the project documentation.

What Does It Include?

The exact contents depend on the project scope, contract and client requirements. However, a project-specific BEP commonly covers:

• BIM objectives and intended uses.
• Roles and responsibilities of project participants.
• Model development and coordination requirements.
• Software, file formats and information exchange procedures.
• Common Data Environment (CDE) workflows.
• Model quality checks and clash detection.
• Information delivery schedules.
• Final model and asset information requirements.

For projects following ISO 19650 BIM standards, the BEP should align with the agreed information requirements and delivery arrangements. These may include Exchange Information Requirements (EIR), Task Information Delivery Plans (TIDPs), the Master Information Delivery Plan (MIDP) and the level of information need.

A BEP does not replace engineering calculations, technical specifications or construction drawings. Instead, it explains how project information will be managed and coordinated throughout the agreed workflow.

To understand the wider role of BIM in construction, read VEDS’s Complete Guide to Building Information Modelling.

Types of BIM Execution Plans

BIM Execution Plans are prepared at different stages of a project. Two important types are the pre-appointment BEP and the post-appointment delivery team BEP.

They serve different purposes but work together to establish how BIM information will be managed.

1 Pre-Appointment BIM Execution Plan

A pre-appointment BEP is prepared during the tendering or selection stage. It explains how a prospective delivery team intends to meet the client’s information requirements.

The client can review the proposed approach to understand whether the team has suitable technical skills, resources and coordination procedures.

A pre-appointment BEP may include:

• Proposed BIM uses and project objectives.
• Initial team structure and responsibilities.
• Proposed modelling and coordination methods.
• Software and information exchange arrangements.
• Quality assurance procedures.
• Proposed information delivery arrangements.

For example, a contractor bidding for a commercial office project may explain how architectural, structural and MEP models will be coordinated before construction packages are released.

At this stage, some responsibilities and delivery dates may still need confirmation.

2 Post-Appointment BIM Execution Plan

After appointment, the delivery team develops and confirms the BEP with the relevant appointed parties. The plan establishes the agreed approach to implementing the project’s information requirements.

It may define:

• Confirmed team responsibilities.
• Model production and coordination procedures.
• Information delivery milestones.
• CDE workflows and file naming conventions.
• Clash detection and issue resolution processes.
• Model validation and approval arrangements.
• Required deliverables and handover information.

For example, the mechanical and structural teams may agree on model submission dates, coordination review intervals and procedures for resolving ductwork conflicts with beams.

The BEP should be reviewed when agreed project requirements or delivery arrangements change.

Pre-Appointment vs Post-Appointment BEP

For additional guidance, consult NATSPEC’s BIM resources. These resources provide guidance on BIM planning and delivery arrangements.

How to Make a BIM Execution Plan

Preparing a useful BIM Execution Plan for construction projects requires more than filling in a template. The plan should reflect the building type, design responsibilities, technical requirements, information deliverables and construction programme.

The following seven steps provide a practical framework.

Step 1: Define Project Objectives and BIM Uses

Start by identifying what the project needs to achieve through BIM. The objectives should be clear enough for the project team to understand what information needs to be produced and why.

Common objectives include:

• Coordinating architectural, structural and MEP designs.
• Preparing coordinated construction drawings.
• Identifying design conflicts before installation.
• Supporting quantity take-offs and construction planning.
• Providing structured information for facility management.

If MEP coordination is a priority, identify the disciplines, building areas and project stages that require model reviews. Clear objectives help prevent unnecessary modelling work and keep the process focused on actual project requirements.

Step 2: Establish Roles and Responsibilities

Identify who will produce, check, coordinate and approve project information.

A BIM manager may oversee the overall BIM approach, while a BIM coordinator manages model reviews and tracks coordination issues. Discipline model authors develop their respective models, and design leads review technical decisions.

Responsibilities should clearly state:

• Who prepares each discipline model.
• Who checks the model before submission.
• Who coordinates the combined model.
• Who reviews and approves technical changes.
• Who assigns and closes coordination issues.

For example, a BIM coordinator may identify an HVAC duct clashing with a structural beam. However, any proposed change must be reviewed by the relevant engineers before the model is updated.

Step 3: Define Information Requirements Under ISO 19650

For projects following ISO 19650 principles, the team needs to understand what information the appointing party requires, when it is needed and how it will be delivered.

Three important concepts are:

• Exchange Information Requirements (EIR): Describe the information needed for specified purposes and how it will be assessed.
• Task Information Delivery Plan (TIDP): Lists the information deliverables produced by an individual task team, along with responsibilities and delivery dates.
• Master Information Delivery Plan (MIDP): Brings together the task teams’ delivery plans into an overall information delivery schedule.

The BEP should explain how these requirements and plans will be managed.

The team must also establish the appropriate level of information need for each deliverable. For example, an early design review may require approximate equipment locations, while installation planning may need precise dimensions, connection details and access clearances.

The aim is to provide enough information for each task without creating unnecessary modelling work.

For further guidance, consult NATSPEC’s BIM resources and the ISO website.

Step 4: Agree on Software and Information Exchange Formats

The BEP should identify the modelling and coordination software used by the project team. If different applications are involved, the team must agree on how information will be exchanged and checked.

Common tools include:

• Autodesk Revit: Used by project teams for building information modelling across architectural, structural and MEP disciplines.
• Autodesk Navisworks: Used for model review and coordination, including the identification and management of potential clashes.

The BEP should specify the software versions, responsibilities and exchange procedures agreed for the project. Naming the software alone is not enough; teams also need to understand how models will be shared and reviewed.

Common information exchange formats and standards include:

• IFC (Industry Foundation Classes): Supports the exchange of structured building information between compatible applications.
• BCF (BIM Collaboration Format): Supports the exchange of model-based coordination issues, comments and viewpoints.
• COBie (Construction Operations Building Information Exchange): Supports structured delivery of building asset information for operations and maintenance.

These formats serve different purposes and are not automatically required for every project. The BEP should specify which exchanges are needed, the applicable requirements and how the information will be validated.

Useful references include buildingSMART International and the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS).

Step 5: Establish the Common Data Environment

A Common Data Environment (CDE) is an agreed digital environment for managing and sharing project information.

The BEP should explain how files will be named, submitted, reviewed, approved, revised and archived. It should also define access permissions and how team members can identify the current version of a document or model.

This becomes particularly important when multiple disciplines submit revised models during the same coordination cycle.

For example, if the structural team changes a beam layout, the MEP team needs to know which model version is current before finalising duct routes. Clear revision and approval procedures help prevent work from being based on outdated information.

Step 6: Define the MEP BIM Coordination Process

MEP BIM coordination is important because mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems often share limited space within ceilings, risers, plantrooms and service corridors.

Consider an office building where HVAC ducts, chilled-water pipes, drainage pipes and electrical cable trays pass through the same ceiling zone. The structural model contains beams and slabs, while the architectural model defines ceiling heights and access areas.

A coordinated model review may identify:

• An HVAC duct intersecting a structural beam.
• An electrical cable tray conflicting with a chilled-water pipe.
• A valve positioned where maintenance access is restricted.
• A drainage pipe that cannot maintain the required gradient.
• Equipment without sufficient installation or service clearance.

The BEP should explain how these issues are identified, assigned, reviewed and resolved.

A typical coordination process involves:

1. Submitting discipline models according to the agreed schedule.
2. Checking model alignment, coordinates and completeness.
3. Combining the relevant models for review.
4. Identifying and recording potential clashes.
5. Assigning issues to the responsible design team.
6. Reviewing and agreeing on technically acceptable solutions.
7. Updating and rechecking affected models.
8. Recording the resolution status before approval.

A geometric clash is not always a design error. Some intersections may be intentional, while others may require revised routing or coordinated openings. Engineering requirements, installation methods and maintenance access must all be considered.

The coordination process should involve the relevant technical teams rather than relying on automated clash detection alone.

VEDS provides BIM VDC Services to support modelling and coordination requirements for AEC projects.

Step 7: Establish Model Quality Checks and Information Handover

A model may look complete but still contain missing parameters, inconsistent coordinates, outdated information or incorrect dimensions.

The BEP should specify quality checks before each submission. These may include:

• File naming and revision checks.
• Coordinate and level verification.
• Model completeness checks.
• Required property and parameter checks.
• Clash detection and issue reviews.
• Drawing and schedule consistency.
• Validation against information requirements.

Each check should have an assigned responsibility and a clear process for correcting incomplete or rejected information.

The plan should also connect deliverables with project milestones. For example, the structural model may be needed before the MEP team finalises service routes.

Handover requirements should be agreed early. Depending on the project, the client may require coordinated models, approved drawings, equipment schedules and asset information in a specified format.

Planning these requirements from the beginning helps the team identify missing information before project completion.

Worked Example: Coordinating HVAC Ducts and Structural Beams

Consider a commercial office project with a central HVAC system and several floors of office space. The mechanical team has developed the duct layout, while the structural team has prepared the beam and slab models.

During a coordination review, the combined model shows that a supply air duct conflicts with a structural beam. A separate review also identifies a valve near the ceiling that may be difficult to access after installation.

The project team follows its agreed BIM Execution Plan to manage these issues.

1. The BIM coordinator records the clashes and assigns them to the relevant teams.
2. The mechanical engineer reviews possible duct route changes.
3. The structural engineer checks the proposed solution against structural requirements.
4. The team reviews the valve location and maintenance access.
5. Once the relevant engineers agree on the changes, the affected models are updated and checked again.
6. The issue records are updated, and the coordinated information is shared through the agreed project workflow.

This worked example shows how a BEP can support communication, issue tracking and technical review. The appropriate solution depends on the actual project conditions and the decisions of the responsible engineers.

The same approach can be adapted to other coordination challenges, including pipe routing, cable tray conflicts, equipment clearances and access to building services.

Common BIM Execution Plan Mistakes to Avoid

A BIM Execution Plan is useful only when it reflects the actual needs of the project and can be followed by the teams involved. Some common mistakes can make the document difficult to implement.

1 Using a Generic Template Without Project-Specific Details

A standard template may provide a starting point, but every project has different requirements. Copying a previous BEP without reviewing the project scope can leave important responsibilities, deliverables or coordination procedures unclear.

How to avoid it: Adapt the document to the building type, project objectives, disciplines, information requirements and construction programme.

2 Unclear Roles and Responsibilities

If the team does not know who is responsible for producing, checking, approving and updating information, coordination issues may remain unresolved.

How to avoid it: Assign responsibilities clearly and define who can review changes and close issues.

3 Inconsistent Model and File Standards

Different naming conventions, coordinate systems, revision formats or exchange procedures can create confusion during model coordination.

How to avoid it: Agree on file naming, coordinates, software versions, exchange formats and revision procedures before regular model submissions begin.

4 Treating Clash Detection as the Complete Coordination Process

Automated clash detection can identify potential geometric conflicts, but it cannot replace engineering judgement. A model may show an intersection that is intentional, or a layout may pass a geometric check but still restrict maintenance access.

How to avoid it: Include technical reviews by the relevant discipline engineers and consider installation and maintenance requirements.

5 Not Updating the BEP

Project requirements, team responsibilities and delivery arrangements may change as work progresses. An outdated BEP can create confusion about the current process.

How to avoid it: Review the BEP when agreed requirements or workflows change, record revisions and communicate updates to the relevant project participants.

Top 5 Benefits of a BIM Execution Plan

A well-prepared BIM Execution Plan creates a consistent process for managing project information. Its benefits depend on the quality of the plan and how effectively the project team follows it.

1 Improved Collaboration Between Disciplines

Architectural, structural and MEP teams depend on each other’s information. A BEP defines when models are exchanged, who reviews them and how changes are communicated.

This helps team members understand their responsibilities and reduces confusion about which information is current or ready for use.

2 Earlier Identification of Design Conflicts

Coordinated models can help teams identify potential conflicts before the affected work reaches the construction site.

For example, a duct may intersect a beam or a cable tray may restrict access to a valve. Identifying these issues early gives the responsible engineers an opportunity to review possible solutions before installation begins.

Clash detection does not identify every design or construction problem, but it provides a structured method for managing geometric conflicts.

3 Better Rework and Cost Management

Changes made after installation can require additional labour, materials and time.

A BEP supports early coordination, clear responsibility assignment and consistent review procedures. Although it cannot guarantee that rework will be eliminated, it can help teams address design conflicts before they become more difficult to resolve.

4 More Reliable Project Scheduling

A BEP connects model submissions and information reviews with the construction programme.

When teams understand what information is required and when it must be delivered, project managers can plan dependencies and allocate time for checking and approval.

This is particularly useful when one discipline needs another team’s information before finalising its own design.

5 Better Information Handover

Building information can remain useful after construction is complete. Facility managers may need equipment details, asset identifiers, locations and maintenance information.

A BEP helps define the required handover information and who is responsible for providing it. Planning these requirements early makes it easier to check the information throughout the project rather than trying to collect missing data at the end.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What Is the Main Purpose of a BIM Execution Plan?

The main purpose of a BIM Execution Plan is to explain how BIM information will be produced, coordinated, checked and delivered during a construction project. It establishes responsibilities, information requirements, coordination procedures and delivery milestones.

2 Who Prepares a BIM Execution Plan?

The responsible BIM or information management team generally coordinates the preparation of the BEP with the relevant project participants. Under an ISO 19650-based approach, the pre-appointment and post-appointment stages have different requirements and responsibilities.

The exact arrangements depend on the project appointments and contract.

3 What Is the Difference Between a BEP, TIDP and MIDP?

A BEP explains the overall approach to BIM implementation and information management. A TIDP identifies the information deliverables for an individual task team, while the MIDP brings the relevant task team delivery plans together into a coordinated project schedule.

4 How Does a BIM Execution Plan Help with MEP Coordination?

A BEP explains how teams share and review architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing models. It also sets procedures for identifying clashes, assigning issues, reviewing engineering solutions and checking updated models before approving the relevant information.

5 Is a BIM Execution Plan Required for Every Construction Project?

The need for a BEP depends on the client’s requirements, contract, project scope and BIM information management arrangements. A BEP helps project teams clarify the agreed procedures, responsibilities and deliverables when they require BIM delivery.

The level of detail should match the project’s complexity and information requirements.

Project teams should review and update the BEP whenever agreed project requirements, team responsibilities, information delivery arrangements or coordination procedures change. They should also inform all relevant project participants about these updates so everyone follows the latest approach.

Get Expert BIM Planning Support

Developing a BEP requires an understanding of information management, modelling requirements and the practical challenges of coordinating different building systems.

For example, an HVAC duct route must account for its dimensions, connections, required airflow, structural constraints, available ceiling space and maintenance access. A route that appears to fit in a model may still be unsuitable if it blocks access to a valve or conflicts with another service.

Drainage systems also need to maintain the required gradients, while electrical cable tray layouts must consider installation requirements and access for future maintenance.

This is why model coordination should involve the relevant technical teams rather than relying on automated clash detection alone.

VEDS Engineering provides BIM and VDC-related services to support AEC projects. Depending on the agreed scope, the required support may include:

• BIM model development.
• Architectural and structural modelling.
• MEP BIM coordination.
• Clash detection and issue tracking.
• Scan-to-BIM modelling.
• Information delivery and coordination support.

For existing buildings, VEDS Scan-to-BIM Services can help convert laser scan or point-cloud data into digital building models for renovation, refurbishment and facility management.

Before starting a project, discuss the required disciplines, model deliverables, information exchange formats, coordination milestones and quality checks. Confirming the scope early helps ensure that the work meets the project’s actual requirements.

Planning a construction project that requires BIM modelling or coordination support?

Contact VEDS Engineering to discuss your project requirements, deliverables and coordination needs.

Conclusion

A BIM Execution Plan provides a structured approach to managing BIM information throughout a construction project. It defines responsibilities, sets information requirements, and explains how teams will coordinate, check, and deliver models.

When aligned with the project’s technical needs and applicable information management standards, a BEP can support earlier identification of design conflicts, better communication, more reliable information delivery and a more organised handover process.

The most effective BEP is not simply a completed template. It is a project-specific working document that reflects the building design, discipline responsibilities, coordination requirements and agreed delivery milestones.

For construction teams exploring BIM modelling and coordination support, VEDS Engineering provides BIM and VDC solutions for different AEC project requirements.