VDC

Virtual design and construction (VDC) methodology consists of a modern integration of design, construction and operation from the early phases of a project, for which it is based on BIM models. The purpose of this methodology is to define, align and reach goals, as well as contribute to the reduction of unnecessary resources (time, capacity, inventories, costs) throughout the entire development process.

The theoretical basis of this methodology includes:

Engineering modeling methods: product, organization and process.
Model-based analysis and design methods: quantity take-offs, schedules, costs, process risks. All these are BIM tools.
Information visualization methods.
Business metrics and strategic management approach.
Economic impact analysis: models of the cost and value of capital investments.

In addition to the fundamental tool called BIM, VDC is based on project production management (PPM). The detailed monitoring of the virtual information and metrics generated from both (BIM and PPM) converges in the decisions taken in the sessions called integrated concurrent engineering (ICE), the great catalyst of this methodology.

This methodology brings a series of benefits for the entire construction process, both in virtual and physical format. First, it significantly improves collaborative work between the different agents involved in the project; secondly, and as a result of the first point, it reduces time and costs, if any unexpected event occurs, by reducing incompatibilities in the design and providing more detailed information for making decisions.