Real-time collaboration is a significant step forward in traditional BIM design
The LiveCol project, which studied real-time collaboration in 3D virtual environments, concluded in a final seminar at AnnaK in February. This Co-Innovation project funded by Business Finland was implemented by Tampere University, VTT, Trimble, Senaatti, and AFRY. The project’s case studies showed that real-time collaboration has the potential to increase the frequency of interaction between designers.
New technologies challenge and develop existing working methods
LiveCol originated from the idea that frequent documentation sharing of design annotations supports real-time collaboration between designers. To measure how often collaboration occurs, the team developed the concept of the collaboration clock rate. The project presented the chance to test real-time collaboration in practice using Trimble’s LiveCollaboration features.
“We developed the LiveSharing platform by customers’ requests to make collaboration with 3D models simpler and easier. From 2024 onwards, LiveCollaboration features using this technology are a default plugin for all Tekla Structures, Trimble Connect and Revit users. The LiveCol project enabled us to receive feedback at a very early stage, which is usually not possible,” Trimble’s Senior Technology Director Kim Nyberg and Business Development Manager Thomas Bagge explain.
Collaboration was studied through practical experiments for different roles
The feedback was gathered from practical LiveCollaboration features’ trials at Tampere University. Structural designers were able to test how to do collaborative work using LiveCollaboration and Teams for different roles. They could comment on the software’s functionality, benefits, and make suggestions for improvement. From the researchers’ perspective, it was also important to understand how designers respond to new technology and the perspectives it introduces.
“We were in a privileged position to receive a development version of LiveCollaboration for our testbench experiments. We utilized VTT’s BIM4LCA models in LiveCol and designed a focused task for participants. LiveCollaboration clearly supports remote co-design, which is particularly valuable in large and complex projects. It was encouraging and fascinating to see how this new viewpoint integrates into design processes in practice. Real-time collaboration is a major innovation for traditional Building Information Model (BIM) design,” says Professor Kalle Kähkönen from Tampere University.
Technology is easier to use when it is considered acceptable
Tampere University also studied how acceptable and easy-to-adopt real-time collaboration technology is. Adoption is supported by ease of use, a positive attitude towards the technology, and its perceived benefits. Tampere University’s Doctoral Researcher Jaakko Huusko suggested that speed, quality, and cost-effectiveness are benefits of real-time collaboration.
“Acceptability increases when working within a familiar BIM environment and when the changes can actually be viewed in real-time. The remaining challenges relate to sharing unfinished work, due to both current work practices and uncertainties associated with contracts and legal compliance,” Huusko explains.
VTT compiled the core aspects of building information models
LiveCol examined real-time collaboration and its technological solutions from several viewpoints, including processes, systems, and legal issues, which VTT studied during the project.
“While studying data related legal issues, a key insight was understanding the differences between BIM modeling as a tool for design and as a tool for information management. These insights and guidelines are included in the BIM Navigator, an interactive decision-support package that compiles information on BIM, information management and how to handle them in contracts. The tool will be published through VTT’s portal in the near future,” says VTT Senior Specialist Jutta Suksi.
“During the LiveCol project, we looked for new ways to work amid developing technologies that provide increasingly user-friendly methods for the real estate and construction industry. Sharing data without breaching trade secrets, managing design teams, and collaborating between parties prompted us to join forces in the LiveCol project and find solutions for smoother real-time collaboration. It was great to present these solutions at the final seminar together as a team,” summarizes VTT Research Scientist and LiveCol Project Coordinator Robert van den Brink.
Tips for adopting real-time design technology, as well as its benefits and challenges, can be found in the final seminar’s PowerPoint presentations and the final report. A fitting end for the project is to ask the question: Could real-time collaboration complement the traditional practices in your own organization, if not fully replace some of them?
LiveCol Final Seminar PowerPoint:
Find the LiveCol final report and other publications here.
More information:
Kalle Kähkönen
Professor, Tampere University
kalle.kahkonen@tuni.fi
Robert van den Brink
Research Scientist, VTT
robert.vandenbrink.vtt.fi