Level of Development (LOD) is about the people

LOD is a key aspect in the planning of the delivery of information to stakeholders.

Above all, LOD makes the value of the model evident to all parties and creates trust between different people working on the same project. The more reliable the model information becomes, the more project stakeholders are lining up to get hold of it. It is easy to understand as the information begins to pass rapidly from person to person and decision-making becomes quicker.

When actions are based on quality information the construction process becomes less risky and more productive. But if incomplete information spreads it will cause questions and requests for further information which can lead to rework and rescheduling with associated costs and valid causes for project delay.

 

Three things to be in place:

Classification

Classification tells what the content of BIM data is and what the data is for. 

Timetable

Milestones of who does what and when information is deliverable.

LOD = the status of information included in the model

Status tells how reliable the information is. 

Note: LOD shows the status of one particular detail.

The Level of Development (LOD) specification is a reference for AEC practitioners to specify and articulate with a high level of clarity the content and reliability of Building Information Models (BIMs).

For LOD 350 the model element is graphically represented within the model as a specific system, object, or assembly in terms of quantity, size, shape, orientation, and interfaces with other building systems. Non-graphic information may also be attached to the model element.  http://bimforum.org/lod/

When you look at the cost division of large construction projects, it is easy to see that fabrication is already doing an extremely efficient workflow because of quality 3D software. Detailing and fabrication together take only about 15 % of an average construction budget.

Therefore, financial managers do not spend time looking at detailing and fabrication stages when they consider cost-savings. However, when chaos can be prevented considerable savings will accumulate. Client and contractors will receive good tenders and the lowest bids from subcontractors who truly know how to optimize their processes.

Double work is avoided as there will be no need for requests for information (RFIs). No delays means no penalty fees. When contractors begin planning and ordering materials with incomplete information, it will result to mistakes in orders. But with a BIM execution plan and LOD, there will be an average of 25% less changes in orders, which saves money.

Every contract should include a BIM execution plan. BIM execution plan tells participants what information is going to be delivered by specified dates and which project teams will be able to use this information.

When LOD is incorporated into the BIM execution plan and specified in the contract, the project owners (public or private) are then  able to require a clear plan  from the delivery team for the delivery of information to stakeholders at every project milestone.