Linking vs Work Sharing

[geteway2digitalindia]

I am trying to understand how Linking / Worksharing is applied to big size real life projects involving all disciplines - Site/Architecture/Structure/MEP/Interiors/Steel Fabrication...etc happen. Please share your guidance on the following workflow scenarios :

Linking vs Worksharing : 

1. Which areas are linked..

2. Which templates are used to create the individual areas.

3. In which file all the other individual files are linked...

4. Do separate team members work on each area separately & finally all these are linked to a single file.

5. How to ensure that in the final linked model, all individual model components gets placed at the correct location.

6. Does Worksharing based on Central File-Local File-Synchronization achieve the same output as a Linked model....In which situations Worksharing is followed & in which situation Linking is followed.

7. Are these two methods an alternative to each other or both form a part of a comprehensive workflow..

[Tom_Kunsman · Accepted solution]

I feel like you have asked these questions before in several different ways. 

That being said, there are several different ways that one can go about what you are asking. I can only tell you based off of working on a large NFL American Football renovation that was all done in Revit, now over 10 years ago.

- Not sure what you mean by 'different areas' - if it is one large building then each discipline should have a model for that building. If it is several different buildings across an area, then I would recommend that each building is a separate model.

In the past I have usually picked the architectural model to be the one that all other models are linked into. One, the architect is usually responsible for the 'form and function' of the building, and where one would usually see a master list of drawings. The other disciplines should also be linking in the other models for coordination and collaboration.

You also could have a Master Site model that has everything linked in. The only purpose of this would be for a master list of drawings (if you needed such a thing). I did this on a project where we had 20+ different models getting linked together. No modeling was done in this master file.

As for location of components, again I don't understand this. Everyone should be linking in the architectural, structural and so forth. Unless you are trying to use shared coordinates of something like that, as long as say the electrical team links in the arch model and then places all of their components based off of that linked arch model, everything should line up. When you link in a file, that link should be Pinned to prevent it from moving.

Question 6 - i think you are getting the two terms mixed up. Worksharing and Linking models are two different things. Both can be used on the same project. Files are workshared to allow multiple team members to work on the same model. Linking allows the teams to see what work the other team has been working on and coordinating their work with the other team members.

question 7 - see above - it is a comprehensive workflow. The NFL stadium I worked on, somedays we had as many as nine different people all working on the structural works. Workshared project with multiple links from arch, Mech, Elec, Plumbing, Signage, etc. We all knew each day in what area that person was going to work on. 

[geteway2digitalindia]

Actually the feature of REVIT that allows multiple members to work on a project from different locations by Worksharing / Linking is highly interesting to me. As I try out on small experimental projects & face roadblocks/questions I immediately take help of the forum to get the doubts cleared.....also I am extremely thankful at the brilliant solutions that pours in ... knowledge gets enriched in leaps & bounds.

Is there any case study of a complete project done on Collaboration involving all different disciplines - a Step by Step video presentation will be extremely helpful...

Pls advise

[Tom_Kunsman · Accepted solution]

Simple internet search resulted in a few case studies:

https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/class/Collins-Park-WTP-Collaboration-Revit-Case-Study-2...

https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/class/Digital-Project-Management-Workflow-Case-Study-30...

there were a few others that I found

[hmunsell · Accepted solution]

1. Linking vs Worksharing : 
   • To use an AutoCAD term, linking is like an Xref. In basic terms you use a link to bring in other disciplines models into your file as a background.
2. Which areas are linked:
   • Not sure what you're referring to here? Usually, if a building is broken up into “areas,” it is still all in the same model, just different views or dependent views. For extremely large or tall projects, I have seen the models broken up at logical division points and then linked back together as needed. This is often done for file management and computer performance efficiency.
3. Which templates are used to create the individual areas:
   • Templates are typically based on discipline and customized for the client's standard. Each discipline uses there own discipline specific template for the work there doing.
4. In which file all the other individual files are linked:
   • Many projects have a Coordination Model where everything is linked in. Typically the Arch links M/E/P/S/C and whatever other disciplines they need. Other disciplines do the same.
5. Do separate team members work on each area separately & finally all these are linked to a single file:
   • If the file is workshared, multiple team members can work in the same model at the same time. In my office, I usually don’t recommend any more than 4-5 in the same model at any given time. Any more than that and you really start to see performance issues. This may also be a deciding factor on how to break up the areas too.
6. How to ensure that in the final linked model, all individual model components gets placed at the correct location:
   • Thru the use of the Project Survey Point and Project Base Point, you can ensure that the models link together using the same common location. You should have a primary Model Manager/BIM Coordinator/Lead person responsible for the linking to make sure it's done properly
7. Does Worksharing based on Central File-Local File-Synchronization achieve the same output as a Linked model....
   • They’re 2 different aspects of the same thing. Linking is how you see your backgrounds and other disciplines your working with. Worksharing is how you work on the files. the same links are needed in a workshared file as in a non-workshared file. A workshared files allows multiple users to work on the same Central file at the same time thru the use of user specific Local files. Worksharing also allows for the use of worksets to help organize content and visibility in the model
8. In which situations Worksharing is followed & in which situation Linking is followed:
   • Both are used simultaneously on the same project. all projects, regardless of size, in our office are workshared and always have links to the other disciplines involved on the project.
9. Are these two methods an alternative to each other or both form a part of a comprehensive workflow;
   • They are definitely both part of the same comprehensive workflow 😁

[geteway2digitalindia]

GREAT....!!!!!!!

EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.......

[geteway2digitalindia]

BRILLIANT...