We employ the best available personnel at all points of our workflow. We maintain personal relationships with one another and hold each other accountable for our contributions. We recognize the fact that within our family, information constantly flows in both directions. Those upon whom we rely for critical information become those whom we serve sometimes during the same workday. We recognize the fact that within our family, information constantly flows in both directions. Those upon whom we rely for critical information become those whom we serve sometimes during the same workday.
Everyone knows that traditional construction techniques are changing. The skilled mechanic in the field must use the same knowledge and understanding of mechanical systems they’ve always relied upon. But as technology has progressed, new tools became available for them to harness this knowledge and build the quality system expected in ways that were safer and more efficient. This has always been the case since we’ve been building anything.
The advent of CAD introduced new tools for the drafter who produces the shop drawing the mechanic builds from. For the most part this did not impact the workflow of the installer. Mainly it forced the contractor to work more closely with the design team be they in-house or otherwise utilizing the same CAD files, similar conventions, nomenclature etc.; refining the files to reflect coordination and actual parts and equipment.
On the other hand, as prefabrication became more popular, this impacted the installer greatly. His/her input was now required to clarify constructibility, sequence, procurement, and a host of other considerations necessary to prefab. At QCM, the years of experience obtained by our skilled mechanics are being utilized earlier in the process. The intelligence of the quality system itself is being recognized and built in sooner and our workflows are becoming more intelligent to implement this.
Gradually, contractors began to model their systems in 3D. This facilitated coordination and recognizing the sometimes elusive requirements of specific components such as testing and servicing them and if they are most suitable for task. Inherently, this introduced “intelligence” earlier in the process. Is this the same intelligence we here at QCM are front loading to prefab? Well, the short answer is yes, but by recognizing earlier that which our mechanics used to ensure during installation we can now engage the engineers sooner allowing us to enhance the safety, quality and schedule of the project, lower our own costs and lower the cost of the overall project.
On the other hand, as prefabrication became more popular, this impacted the installer greatly. His/her input was now required to clarify constructibility, sequence, procurement, and a host of other considerations necessary to prefab. At QCM, the years of experience obtained by our skilled mechanics are being utilized earlier in the process. The intelligence of the quality system itself is being recognized and built in sooner and our workflows are becoming more intelligent to implement this.
Gradually, contractors began to model their systems in 3D. This facilitated coordination and recognizing the sometimes elusive requirements of specific components such as testing and servicing them and if they are most suitable for task. Inherently, this introduced “intelligence” earlier in the process. Is this the same intelligence we here at QCM are front loading to prefab? Well, the short answer is yes, but by recognizing earlier that which our mechanics used to ensure during installation we can now engage the engineers sooner allowing us to enhance the safety, quality and schedule of the project, lower our own costs and lower the cost of the overall project.
BIM technology is giving all stakeholders the opportunity to capitalize on front loading the intelligence that we here at QCM are already doing. It is apparent that this information is useful throughout the entire life cycle of the project. More importantly, it is apparent there is more information about a project and it too can be codified. And BIM gives all stakeholders the ability to focus on which “intelligent information” enhances their contributions most and to manipulate, refine and embed that into the workflows of all; giving the rest more opportunity to do the same. This information can be used by stakeholders both upstream and downstream to get things done sooner, more efficiently and to add overall value. We at QCM recognize this and are exploring ways to best introduce elements into our BIM beyond what we currently use for prefab. They may be elements that other stakeholders can use. They may be elements that QCM uses to enhance our prefab or to enhance estimating, project management, turnover, customer relations or design collaboration.
We at QCM are and will remain at the cutting edge. We are not however at the bleeding edge. We know and understand that our entire staff is vital, has unique contributions and will be given the opportunity to present them. We are careful to choose the tech that will serve our customers; not compromise our team’s commitment to do so. The tech is just a tool. It is our staff that will be persuaded and ultimately endorse our tech and only if it fulfills our commitment. Of course, new tech requires new methods and training and some old ways will need to be revised or abandoned all together. But because we value our customers first and our team’s ability to provide a quality product to our customers, we welcome the challenge.
