Empowering Change: The Role of BIM Champions in Successful Implementation
Introduction
Implementation of new tools and workflows in the AEC industry often fails not because the technology is lacking, but because of an absence of internal advocacy and ownership. This is where BIM Champions make the difference. Whether they are dedicated BIM staff like a BIM Manager (like myself), or just Architects or Engineers, these individuals are the catalysts for change who bridge the gap between firm leadership and project teams. They promote innovation, advocate for new processes, and serve as the connective tissue that turns implementation from a challenge into a success story.
What is a BIM Champion?
A BIM Champion is not necessarily a job title, it’s a mindset. While some firms may officially designate BIM Managers or Technology Leads, the role of a BIM Champion can be filled by anyone with the initiative and passion to drive change. Whether it's a senior architect championing model coordination, or a junior engineer automating workflows with Dynamo, C# or Python, BIM Champions help others see the value in adopting new tools and processes.
They advocate for standards, can act as in-house trainers, troubleshoot software issues, and evangelize the benefits of new technologies to their peers. Simply put, they are the frontline force in the successful rollout of BIM initiatives.
At my firm, we’ve seen the power of internal champions firsthand. From organizing Revit parameter deep-dives to troubleshooting ACC model coordination quirks, our champions aren’t just tech-savvy, they’re trusted peers. They help bridge the knowledge gap between leadership’s vision and day-to-day project execution. Giving them a seat at the table has accelerated both adoption and innovation.
Where BIM Champions Fit in the Implementation Lifecycle
BIM Champions are most effective when aligned with each stage of an implementation rollout. In early phases, they help evaluate tools and identify user needs. During rollout, they lead training, create custom quick-start content, and serve as the go-to resource for questions. Post-implementation, they gather feedback, refine workflows, and provide continuous support. Recognizing and integrating champions throughout this lifecycle ensures consistent momentum and meaningful adoption.
Traits of an Effective BIM Champion
BIM Champions often share a few essential characteristics:
- Passion for technology: They stay curious about new tools, platforms, and workflows.
- Strong communication skills: They can explain complex concepts clearly to a wide range of staff.
- Empathy: They understand team frustrations and tailor solutions to actual user needs.
- Influence without authority: Even without formal leadership roles, they earn trust through expertise and consistency.
- Lifelong learners: Champions constantly seek better ways to solve problems and improve productivity.
Responsibilities and Daily Impact
A BIM Champion’s daily work is deeply embedded in the implementation process. Examples of what some of their responsibilities may include:
- Introducing and training staff on tools like Revit, ACC, or other cloud collaboration platforms.
- Troubleshooting real-time software issues to prevent productivity losses.
- Gathering feedback from users and refining implementation strategies accordingly.
- Piloting tools or workflows on smaller projects before recommending firmwide rollout.
- Maintaining BIM standards documentation, internal wikis, or best practices libraries.
Their daily impact is not always dramatic, but it’s cumulative. They enable smoother adoption, reduce user frustration, and keep implementation efforts on track. Champions thrive when feedback flows in both directions. I would highly encourage open sharing, whether it’s through informal coffee chats, a Teams channel, or monthly ‘BIM Wins & Woes’ huddles. These touchpoints help champions surface what’s working (and what’s not) so implementation can stay nimble.
A BIM Champion might develop a Dynamo script to batch rename views based on a project naming convention. After testing it with a small team, they host a 15-minute lunch demo and share a PDF guide with examples, saving hours of manual renaming across multiple projects. Or they may use C# or Python to create a toolbar that gives users easier access to your developed standards, workflows and best practices.
Building a BIM Champion Network
One BIM Champion can only go so far. To truly scale implementation success, firms should cultivate a network of champions across different disciplines and offices. This could take the form of:
- A dedicated “BIM Council” or “Technology Committee”
- A rotating group of staff who lead weekly or monthly tech sessions
- Shared folders, Teams channels, or knowledge hubs where champions share tips and resources
By building a network, knowledge and support are decentralized, making the entire organization more resilient and agile.
From Revit Standards to Cultural Shifts
One lesson I’ve learned over the years: implementing new Revit standards isn’t just a technical rollout, it’s a cultural shift. Team members often have deeply ingrained workflows, and introducing changes requires not only explaining the technical benefits but also addressing hesitations and resistance. BIM Champions play a crucial role in bridging this gap by reinforcing not just how we model, but why these changes are necessary for improving collaboration, efficiency, and project outcomes. Through internal blogs, weekly tips, quick-win workflows, and fostering open communication, we make the standards approachable, relatable, and even exciting for project teams, ensuring smoother transitions and long-term adoption.
Supporting and Empowering BIM Champions
Leadership has a critical role to play in empowering champions. Too often, firms expect champions to lead change while juggling project deadlines, with no additional time or recognition. To truly enable them:
- Allocate protected time to focus on training, development, and support
- Offer recognition, bonuses, or career development opportunities
- Involve them in firmwide strategy decisions around BIM and technology
- Provide access to conferences, beta programs, and learning platforms
Champion Support Checklist Sample
- Weekly 1:1 check-in with project teams
- Internal wiki updates every two weeks
- Attend or lead one lunch-and-learn per quarter
- Feedback summary reports to leadership
An empowered champion is not just more effective, they’re more likely to stay and grow within the organization.
Real-World Success Stories
My own journey as a contributor and advocate in the BIM space has highlighted how valuable champion-led implementation can be. Leading initiatives like Newforma Konekt, producing weekly BIM Mastery tips, publishing the monthly Buildings BIM Bulletin, and contributing to AUGI World content have all underscored a recurring theme: empowered, knowledgeable individuals make all the difference. These experiences have not only formed my perspective but also helped shape the strategies we use to support successful technological rollouts.
When I first joined Garver, I developed an ambitious timeline for implementing BIM within our MEPF team. It was a bold strategy, designed to push boundaries and accelerate our adoption of advanced workflows. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our BIM Champions, not only did we rise to the challenge, but most of the milestones were achieved ahead of schedule. These champions played a critical role in building workflows, mentoring their peers, and troubleshooting issues, ensuring the implementation was both efficient and impactful. As our group’s BIM Manager, I helped a project team navigate tricky IFC coordination issues with an external architect using ArchiCAD, turning what could have been a coordination nightmare into a smooth exchange of models and data.
Conclusion
Technology alone doesn't drive implementation. People do. BIM Champions are the human engine behind successful change in the AEC industry. They translate firm vision into practical action, help teams navigate new tools, and turn innovation from aspiration into reality.
Every firm has potential champions, it’s up to leadership to find them, support them, and build a culture where they can thrive. If you want your next implementation to succeed, don’t just focus on the software. Focus on your champions.
