How to brief a BIM coordination team
Define model inputs, coordination responsibilities and issue reporting before a clash detection review begins.
Define what the model must support
A BIM model can support different tasks: design coordination, drawing production, quantities or handover. Specify which decisions your team needs to make from it rather than requesting an undefined “fully detailed” model.
Agree on the elements to be modeled, the expected information and the project stages at which it will be available. Record exclusions so that a coordination view is not mistaken for a complete fabrication or construction instruction.
Align the incoming files
List the architectural, structural and building-services models, their authors and their current revisions. Agree on coordinates, units, file exchange formats and the schedule for updating shared backgrounds.
Choose one issue tracker. Each coordination item should identify its location, the relevant elements, an assigned person and a target review date. Screenshots without context become difficult to follow when the model changes.
Resolve issues, not just report them
Prioritize conflicts that affect construction sequencing, equipment access or critical spatial relationships. Distinguish geometry conflicts from access or clearance questions that require a design decision.
Keep a record of decisions and recheck resolved items against the next model issue. Clash detection is a review tool, not a guarantee of a conflict-free building; its usefulness depends on the quality of the inputs and the follow-through of the project team.