As the construction industry becomes more familiar with the benefits of Building Information Modelling, TTSP is changing its CAD and specification systems to ensure that we remain at the forefront of the way design and construction information is prepared in our projects.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) involves the creation and management of a digital representation of a building design inception, through concept and detailed design, to construction and facilities management. It manifests as a shared virtual model containing all the information relating to the design, construction and management of the proposed building and enables us to determine issues much sooner than traditional drawing and CAD systems have permitted. Furthermore, BIM also allows information from each member of the design team to be shared immediately, to identify conflicts, specify compatible products and remove potential snags. It is also used to enable the prediction of building performance in many different ways, which is invaluable in this age of sustainability and measurement.

The government set out its strategy in June 2011, setting a target for collaborative 3D BIM to be used on all its projects by 2016. Other clients and contractors, with whom we work, are increasingly using BIM in their projects.The way forward for TTSP has been to adopt Autodesk Revit, which we are now using on several projects.

This will eventually replace our AutoCAD and MicroGDS systems, although we have phased the replacement of our CAD software to take a few years, to enable us to deliver projects that do not yet require BIM.

We are also using integrated specification through NBS, using the 'COBIE' building data format, which enable us to share design information with the whole design team regardless of the CAD systems they might use.

This is not going to be cheap and requires considerable financial investment and training to all our staff. However, we are committed to better ways of working and to continuing to serve our clients, current and future. We are also committed to the future of collaborative thinking and working, which has always been at the forefront of everything that TTSP does.