Slot and opening planning (SOD) is a critical, yet often contentious part of execution planning. Unclear responsibilities, manual coordination, and limited transparency create unnecessary risks and delays. With big, the process becomes fully model-based. Openings are clearly identified, reviewed, annotated, and approved directly in the model resulting in information that is fully traceable and transparent for everyone involved.
Challenges in Conventional Planning
In traditional projects roles, workflows, and communication paths are often unclear. Questions such as these often arise: Who creates the opening plans? Who reviews first? How is approval documented? This lack of structure leads to errors and inefficiencies. With big, all stakeholders work from a single, shared information source. Verified openings feed directly into discipline models and derived plans, making the workflow transparent, reliable, and highly coordinated.
The Model-Based SOD (Slot and Opening) process with big
The model-based SOD process with big consolidates all relevant models and enables precise identification of every opening through well-defined attributes and a consistent ID structure. Reviews happen directly in the model where statuses, comments, and changes are documented. Approval status is automatically determined and all information is centrally evaluated. Model comparisons, structured lists, and seamless tracking ensure maximum transparency and traceability which ensures that collaboration between MEP, architecture, and structural engineering is both efficient and reliable.
With big, Slot and Opening Planning has evolved from an error-prone coordination process into a structured, model-based workflow that clearly connects all stakeholders. The result: reduced risks, higher planning quality, and a reliable foundation for smooth on-site execution.
See also “Clash Detection” and “Design Progress & Quality Control“
