Revit - 3 levels of Proficiency

Based on a number of similar discussions in recent months, we're introducing a subtle change to the labeling of some of the KS assessment modules.

I attended a web meeting this week with the Head of Model Development for a major UK construction client.  Like many AEC firms, they are wrestling with the challenge of making BIM work for their business, whilst finding the cost savings, efficiency gains, and so on, that all big businesses have to make these days.

Looking back to the KS user group in London, a couple of months ago, a similar topic arose as part of the general discussion.  That is, how do we identify someone who has basic skills in, say, Revit and distinguish them from an advanced user?

Further, do AEC firms actually need all of their users to be 'specialists' in Revit?  The simple answer is no, in my opinion. In many instances, users just need to receive a file, open it up and perform some straightforward analysis of the model (without breaking anything!).  For example, construction managers, PM's and the like.  Then, for the general modeling team, AEC firms require a broader level of understanding for their wider user base.  The people creating the detailed production information on a project.  And last, firms need to have a handful of Revit 'specialists'.  People with a deeper understanding of the way in which Revit is deployed on a project, an appreciation of the collaborative process and the impact of using the technology across a broader environment.  And maybe, if content creation is a key part of their business, a handful of Revit Family specialists, who understand the importance of creating quality content, that can be re-used on subsequent projects, not simply re-modelled from scratch every time.

So it makes sense to establish 3 recognised levels of competence;

Level 1 – basic skills
Level 2 – intermediate skills
Level 3 – advanced skills

With respect to Revit, this will work as follows;

L1 – Basics of Revit (i.e. a test aimed at Construction Managers, PM’s, etc.)
L2 – Revit fundamentals
L3 – More advanced concepts of Revit, i.e. Revit project process, collaborative working, Family creation, etc.

AEC firms can use the assessments, as a means of demonstrating to clients (and prospective clients) that they have the skills required, to truly deliver on a BIM project.  For example, all CM’s can be trained and encouraged to take the Revit L1 assessment (scoring X% or higher in Y mins or less).  All Revit modelers can add the Revit L2 assessment to their CV (scoring X% or higher in Y mins or less).  All Revit ‘specialists’ need to ace the L3 assessment(s).  Anyone working on content creation, must tackle the families assessment.  You get the picture.

Firms might also consider writing their own modules, based on their BIM Standards.  All users can demonstrate an understanding of the correct standards, by passing this module.

Now, we've made extremely good progress in building our Revit assessment library.  We already have the following modules in place:

-  RAC 2010 fundamentals (Metric & Imperial) – L2
-  RAC 2011 fundamentals (M & I) – L2
-  RAC Xpress (M & I) – L2
-  RST 2010 fundamentals (M & I) – L2
-  RST 2011 fundamentals (I) – L2
-  RST Xpress (M & I) – L2
-  RMEP 2011 fundamentals (Mechanical) (I) – L2
-  RMEP 2011 fundamentals (Plumbing) (I) – L2

We are currently working on the following new modules:

-  Revit Project Process (goes live early May) – L3
-  Revit Families (goes live late May) – L3
-  RMEP 2011 fundamentals (Electrical) (I) (c.June) – L2
-  RAC 2012 fundamentals – 13 modules (M) (c.June) – L2
-  RMEP fundamentals 2012 (M, E & P) (I) (c.July) – L2
-  RST 2012 fundamentals – 13 modules (M) (c.August) – L2
-  RMEP 2012 fundamentals – 13 modules (M) (c.September) – L2
-  Revit for occasional users (i.e. general content for PM’s, CM’s.  Not discipline specific). (M&I) (c.September) – L1

In the Fall, we'll be adding these modules:

-  RAC 2012 fundamentals – 6 additional modules (M) – L2
-  RST 2012 fundamentals – 6 additional modules (M) – L2
-  RMEP 2012 fundamentals – 6 additional modules (M) – L2
-  Imperial data sets for all Revit 2012 content – L2

-  RAC 2012 advanced (M & I) (i.e. harder test than fundamentals (L2) for core users) – L3
-  RST 2012 advanced (M & I) (i.e. harder test for core users) – L3
-  RMEP 2012 advanced (M & I) (i.e. harder test for core users) – L3

I think this will help AEC firms, Construction clients and contractors alike, to get a much better handle on who knows what, with respect to deploying Revit on a BIM project.  It will also help firms to demonstrate their BIM credentials and give users a logical (and more appropriate) path for skills development.

R