Implementing Autodesk Revit, especially in firms transitioning from CAD or other platforms, can offer significant benefits, but failed implementations are unfortunately common.
Here's a quick checklist for a Revit implementation and a sample roadmap for a phased rollout. No matter how big or small your firm is, a well thought out plan, and strategic execution of that plan is an important step in success.
✅ Revit Implementation Checklist
1. Strategic Planning
- Executive buy-in secured
- Defined business goals (e.g., faster documentation, clash detection, BIM coordination)
- Scope of implementation (single team, department, whole firm)
2. Assessment
- Current workflows documented
- Staff skill levels assessed
- Hardware and software audit completed
- Project types prioritized for pilot
3. Infrastructure Setup
- Workstations meet Revit specs
- Network, storage, and backup systems prepared (especially for central model collaboration)
- Autodesk licenses acquired and managed
- Cloud collaboration strategy in place (e.g., BIM 360 / Autodesk Construction Cloud)
4. Standards and Templates
- Revit template(s) created and tested
- View templates, annotation styles, and naming conventions defined
- Standard family library established
- Project folder structures and model file naming rules in place
- LOD standards established for each project phase
5. Training & Onboarding
- Tiered training plan: beginners, advanced users, managers
- BIM Coordinator or Manager assigned
- Internal support documentation or wiki available
- Mentorship program or "Revit champions" identified
6. Pilot Project
- Pilot team identified
- Pilot project selected (moderate complexity)
- Kick-off meeting with all stakeholders
- QA reviews at key phases (e.g., DD, CD)
- Lessons learned documented
7. Full Rollout
- Feedback from pilot incorporated
- Broader teams trained
- Projects gradually transitioned to Revit
- Internal support (BIM helpdesk or peer review process) active
8. Ongoing Improvement
- Regular BIM standards updates
- Post-mortems or project reviews
- BIM leadership committee formed
- Explore integrations with other software (e.g., Enscape, Dynamo, Bluebeam)
🚦 Phased Revit Rollout Roadmap
|
Phase |
Timeline |
Key Activities |
|
Phase 1: Planning |
Weeks 1–2 |
Define goals, assess skills/infrastructure, assign BIM Manager |
|
Phase 2: Preparation |
Weeks 3–5 |
Develop standards, create templates, build family library |
|
Phase 3: Training |
Weeks 6–8 |
Begin targeted training for pilot team and BIM champions |
|
Phase 4: Pilot Project |
Weeks 9–16 |
Launch pilot project, monitor closely, adjust workflows |
|
Phase 5: Review |
Week 17 |
Evaluate pilot, gather lessons learned, revise standards and training |
|
Phase 6: Expansion |
Weeks 18–24 |
Begin training wider teams, expand to new projects, build internal support network |
|
Phase 7: Optimization |
Ongoing (Months 6+) |
Introduce automation, custom scripting, model QA tools, and advanced BIM uses |