Most Swedish AEC firms already know BIM is the direction things are heading. The question that actually comes up in practice is: where do you start, and what does “getting started” realistically look like for a firm that isn’t already deep into it?
This guide is written for architects, engineers, and construction professionals in Sweden who want a clear, grounded path into BIM — without the overselling that tends to come with this topic. The steps here reflect how BIM adoption actually works in practice, including the specific standards and context relevant to the Swedish market.
Step 1: Understand What BIM Actually Is (and Isn’t)
BIM is not a software. This is worth saying upfront because a lot of firms treat purchasing Revit or ArchiCAD as “implementing BIM.” That’s one piece of it, but not the whole picture.
BIM is a process for creating and managing building information throughout a project’s lifecycle — from early design through construction and into operations. The 3D model is a byproduct of that process. The actual value comes from structured, reliable information attached to that model: material specifications, space data, system properties, cost estimates, schedule links.
Understanding this distinction matters because it changes how you approach implementation. The software question comes second. The process and information management questions come first.
Step 2: Know the Swedish BIM Context
Sweden has a well-developed BIM ecosystem, and knowing where things stand helps you prioritize correctly.
Trafikverket (the Swedish Transport Administration) has required BIM in all new infrastructure investment procurements since 2015, and started a phased rollout of openBIM and IFC 4.3 for road and rail projects in 2024. If you work on infrastructure, these requirements will directly affect your deliverables.
Boverket was assigned by the Swedish government in 2023 to develop national BIM guidelines for public procurement, aligned with ISO 19650 and open data formats. National standardization is coming, and it’s heading toward ISO 19650 as the framework for how information is managed and delivered on Swedish public projects.
BIM Alliance Sweden is the main industry body coordinating BIM adoption and openBIM standards nationally. Their resources and events are useful reference points for staying current.
The key takeaway: if you plan to work on Swedish public sector projects — buildings or infrastructure — you need to understand ISO 19650 and be able to deliver IFC-based models. That’s the practical baseline to work toward.
Step 3: Assess Where Your Firm Currently Stands
Before buying software or booking training, take stock of your current situation honestly:
- Are you producing 2D drawings only? BIM adoption will require a significant workflow shift and upfront investment in time.
- Are you already working in 3D (AutoCAD, SketchUp, Rhino)? You’re closer than you think. The gap is mainly about switching from geometry to object-based modeling with attached information.
- Are you using BIM software but mainly for 3D visualization? The next step is extracting more value from the model: schedules, quantity take-offs, clash detection, information-rich exports.
- Do you have a BIM Execution Plan (BEP) process? Research on Swedish AEC firms shows that lack of standard BEPs is a common weakness, even in firms that use BIM tools regularly. This is often where coordination breaks down.
Be honest about where you are. Skipping steps tends to create technical debt that’s expensive to fix later.
Step 4: Pick a Tool and Commit to It
The tool debate is real but often overstated. For most Swedish firms, the decision comes down to three main options:
- Revit — Best for multidisciplinary projects (architecture + structure + MEP). Dominant in the Swedish market for large public and commercial projects. Expensive, but widely expected on major projects.
- ArchiCAD — A strong choice for architecture-focused studios. Better out-of-the-box IFC export, lower cost, good for openBIM workflows. Less dominant on large multidisciplinary projects.
- Tekla Structures — The standard for structural detailing and fabrication. Not for general use.
The most important thing at this stage is to pick one and actually use it consistently on real projects. Switching tools every year or running parallel workflows (BIM model + 2D drawings as the “real” documentation) undermines the whole point.
Step 5: Run a Pilot Project
Don’t try to implement BIM on everything at once. Choose one manageable project — ideally something with a willing client or internal flexibility — and use it as your learning environment.
On that pilot project, aim to:
- Produce the full documentation from the BIM model (plans, sections, elevations, schedules)
- Export a clean IFC file and verify it opens correctly in a viewer like Solibri or BIMvision
- Coordinate with at least one other discipline via model exchange
- Write a basic BIM Execution Plan, even a short one — just to practice defining roles, deliverables, and file naming conventions
You will make mistakes on the pilot project. That’s the point. Better to make them there than on a high-stakes delivery.
Step 6: Build Your BIM Execution Plan Process
A BIM Execution Plan (BEP) is a project-level document that defines how BIM will be used: who is responsible for what, what software and file formats will be used, what information will be included in the model and when, and how models will be shared and reviewed.
In Sweden, the absence of standardized BEPs is one of the most commonly identified weaknesses in BIM coordination. The research is clear on this. Many firms use BIM tools but operate without a shared understanding of what the model is supposed to contain or how it should be handed over.
ISO 19650 provides the framework for structuring this. You don’t need to implement the full standard immediately, but understanding its key concepts helps:
- Exchange Information Requirements (EIR) — what the client needs from the model
- BIM Execution Plan (BEP) — how the project team will deliver that information
- Common Data Environment (CDE) — a shared platform where all project information is stored and managed
Even a simplified version of these three elements will significantly improve coordination on your projects.
Step 7: Invest in the Right Training
Software training (Revit basics, ArchiCAD modeling) is the visible part. Don’t neglect the less visible but equally important areas:
- IFC and openBIM workflows — Understanding what makes a good IFC export, how to validate models, and how to work in a multi-software environment is increasingly essential in Sweden.
- Solibri or similar model checkers — Widely used in Swedish openBIM workflows for quality control. Learning to use these properly improves the quality of what you deliver.
- ISO 19650 fundamentals — Several online courses cover the concepts clearly. Even a basic understanding positions you better in client conversations and procurement processes.
- Coordination processes — How to run a clash detection review, how to manage model updates in a multi-firm environment, how to communicate model issues clearly.
Step 8: Set Realistic Expectations
BIM implementation takes longer than vendors suggest and longer than most firms expect. The common barriers in Swedish AEC firms are well-documented: lack of technical knowledge, unclear internal guidelines, resistance to change, and uncertainty about what BIM should actually deliver on a given project.
A realistic timeline for a small firm going from no BIM to competent BIM delivery is 12–18 months of active effort — meaning consistent use on real projects, not just software licenses sitting unused.
For medium-sized firms integrating BIM across multiple disciplines and aligning with ISO 19650, a 2–3 year phased approach is more realistic than a sudden switch.
The firms that struggle most are those that treat BIM as an IT project — something to install and configure — rather than a change in how information is created and managed throughout a project. The technology is the easy part. The process and people side is where the real work happens.
Where to Start Tomorrow
If you’re reading this and wondering where to actually begin, here’s a simple starting point:
- Download a free BIM viewer (Solibri Anywhere or BIMvision) and open an IFC file. Get familiar with what a model looks like from the outside.
- Read the BIM Alliance Sweden’s introductory materials — they’re practical and Sweden-specific.
- Identify one upcoming project where you can start using a BIM tool, even partially.
- Define one specific goal for that project: “we will export a clean IFC from this model” or “we will produce the room schedule from the model, not manually.”
Small, concrete steps on real projects outperform large implementation plans that never get off the ground. Start there.