When outside consultants are involved in BIM coordination, what is their typical authority?

• A. They have final say in BIM coordination
• B. They are not involved
• C. They must follow the specifier's BIM plan
• D. They are required to use BIM only for drawings

Answer: (A)

In BIM coordination, outside consultants operate under a BIM Execution Plan that defines how coordination is governed. They contribute their discipline models and work with others, but their authority is limited by that plan. The plan specifies who can approve changes and who resolves clashes, so the final coordination decisions typically rest with the project BIM manager or lead team, not with the outside consultants alone. Because of that, outside consultants are expected to follow the BIM plan and its standards, and their role isn’t about having unilateral control over the integrated model. They’re also using BIM beyond just producing drawings, including clash detection, data exchange, and multidisciplinary coordination.