Construction Project Management using 4D, 5D BIM



Comprehensive BIM approach

Capital construction is a multifaceted endeavor involving collaboration among various organizations and requiring substantial investments in finances, labor, and materials. Effective project management demands adept coordination and continuous monitoring to navigate the evolving landscape, balancing aspects such as work scope, resources (including materials, specialists, finances, energy, space, and time), quality, and risks throughout the project's lifecycle.

Stakeholders in the investment and construction sectors must ensure smooth collaboration with construction firms, design teams, and contractors, adhering to current regulations. Construction project management tools must be highly effective, as they significantly influence the efficiency and quality of processes for both clients and contractors.

ENECA is at the forefront of enhancing project management through innovative design changes, specifically by incorporating BIM. By implementing a comprehensive BIM approach, ENECA provides a coordinated information model that evolves with the project. The company is now advancing towards more sophisticated model developments, such as 4D and 5D BIM models, for participants in construction investment projects, including clients, developers, and contractors.

4D 5D BIM advantages for management

In a 4D model, time is integrated as a key parameter, where the construction schedule is developed and resource allocation is planned based on the facility’s 3D model. In a 5D model, cost becomes an additional parameter, allowing the 4D model's timeline and associated costs to illustrate cash flow over time.

Through collaborative efforts by designers and estimation specialists at ENECA, the 4D and 5D BIM model provides a structured virtual representation that integrates time, cost, material resources, and construction equipment, all aligned with the facility's 3D geometric framework. The elements of the BIM model are synchronized with the project’s calendar network schedule, each element linked with detailed information on construction time, material costs, machinery expenses, and labor wages, creating a comprehensive virtual construction scenario.

The 4D and 5D BIM model facilitates real-time analytical data extraction on material requirements, crane utilization, and resource delivery to the site. During the construction phase, this model is continuously updated with actual progress and costs, including material certificates, acceptance documents, and as-built records. This dynamic model allows for easy updates and rapid access to current information about the facility, enabling the customer, contractor, and design team to work within a unified, up-to-date platform.

Adopting this advanced approach enhances quality by automating many construction site tasks. Companies utilizing BIM-based management systems experience faster interactions among project participants and collaboratively develop a digital twin of the facility for efficient operational deployment.

4D 5D BIM advantages for management

In a 4D model, time is integrated as a key parameter, where the construction schedule is developed and resource allocation is planned based on the facility’s 3D model. In a 5D model, cost becomes an additional parameter, allowing the 4D model's timeline and associated costs to illustrate cash flow over time.

Through collaborative efforts by designers and estimation specialists at ENECA, the 4D and 5D BIM model provides a structured virtual representation that integrates time, cost, material resources, and construction equipment, all aligned with the facility's 3D geometric framework. The elements of the BIM model are synchronized with the project’s calendar network schedule, each element linked with detailed information on construction time, material costs, machinery expenses, and labor wages, creating a comprehensive virtual construction scenario.

The 4D and 5D BIM model facilitates real-time analytical data extraction on material requirements, crane utilization, and resource delivery to the site. During the construction phase, this model is continuously updated with actual progress and costs, including material certificates, acceptance documents, and as-built records. This dynamic model allows for easy updates and rapid access to current information about the facility, enabling the customer, contractor, and design team to work within a unified, up-to-date platform.

Adopting this advanced approach enhances quality by automating many construction site tasks. Companies utilizing BIM-based management systems experience faster interactions among project participants and collaboratively develop a digital twin of the facility for efficient operational deployment.

How to model Railings?
Short algorithm for creating and managing a 4D, 5D

BIM model:

✔ Request Initiation: The customer submits a request for a BIM project
✔ Terms Agreement: The customer, with ENECA’s help, drafts the Terms of Reference (EIR) and selects the software for the 4D, 5D BIM model
✔ BIM Execution Plan: ENECA creates a BIM Execution Plan (BEP)
✔ Design Development: ENECA develops the 3D BIM model
✔ 4D, 5D Model Creation:
  • Develop a hierarchical work structure
  • Link work sequences with technology and duration
  • Plan the budget using estimated costs
  • Automatically generate procurement and resource plans
✔ Approval: The project is approved by the customer and experts
✔ Model Transfer: The 4D, 5D BIM model is provided to the customer and contractor for updates on contractors, delivery dates, and deadlines
✔ Construction Execution:
use the model to manage schedules, tasks, material deliveries, machinery, and financing
✔ Progress Monitoring: Track work progress and quality, using the model for visual monitoring and budget tracking
✔ Documentation: Maintain as-built documentation, linking it to model elements and generating work completion certificates
✔ Model Updates: Update the model based on construction progress and use an online platform for data transparency and task tracking
✔ Progress Management: Conduct meetings and manage progress using the 4D, 5D model, updating planning documents as needed
✔ Commissioning: Prepare the commissioning act and finalize the construction model with all as-built documentation collected
✔ Operational Management: Manage the digital asset during the operation stage with an updated operational model, enhancing quality and reducing costs, and integrate it with IoT and sensors for ongoing control and scheduling


Modern software for managing 4D and 5D BIM models offers a range of advanced features, including mobile applications, online storage, reporting tools, and email notifications.

One of the key advantages of BIM technology is its flexibility; changes to one aspect of the project automatically update all related data across the entire model, ensuring that all participants are notified.

Implementing a 4D, 5D BIM model within a unified environment enables the customer, developer, and contractor to effectively manage:

  • Project tasks
  • Relationships with project participants
  • Visual monitoring through the BIM model
  • Team management
  • Remote schedule control
  • Task prioritization
  • Financial and accounting management
  • Material and resource management
  • Document flow automation
  • Risk management
  • Analytics
By integrating 4D and 5D BIM technologies, the construction process achieves maximum transparency, timely project completion, reduced budget overruns, and significant automation of routine tasks such as planning document preparation, work certificates, and as-built documentation.


Other articles