How to Leverage BIM/CIM for AR Construction? 7 Tips to Make Position Verification Easier

Table of Contents

• Grasping the basics of BIM/CIM and AR construction

• The value of leveraging BIM/CIM for AR construction

• Tip 1 Narrow down the purpose of position verification first

• Tip 2 Organize only the model information used on site

• Tip 3 Unify reference points and reference lines

• Tip 4 Align height, orientation, and inspection viewpoints

• Tip 5 Compare with existing conditions first

• Tip 6 Decide verification procedures and role assignments

• Tip 7 Feed on-site observations back into updates

• How to establish BIM/CIM AR construction on site

• How to make position verification even easier in practice

Understanding the Basics of BIM/CIM and AR Construction

Applying BIM/CIM to AR construction means linking the three-dimensional information organized in design and planning to construction decisions by overlaying it on the actual site view and existing structures. Simply creating a 3D model or merely displaying it on a screen at the site is insufficient; it only becomes meaningful when that information is available on-site as material that can be used for decision-making. In practice, what matters is not visual novelty but speeding up position verification, reducing differences in stakeholders’ understanding, and detecting signs that could lead to rework as early as possible.

On conventional job sites, it was common to look at the drawings to understand the content, go to the site to check conditions, and then return to the drawings to review dimensions and requirements. This workflow itself isn't necessarily bad, but on sites with many existing structures, complex shapes, or many stakeholders, the number of verification round-trips inevitably increases. Furthermore, even when looking at the same drawing, the image of the finished product that the design team and the construction team, or management and subcontractors, hold in their heads can differ slightly. These gaps lead to later discrepancies and the need to redo explanations.

AR in construction is helpful because it assists with that mental transformation. When standing on site and able to overlay the structures and equipment, the alignments, and positional relationships that are supposed to go there, the burden of imagining drawings and models in three dimensions is reduced. In particular for position checks, distance perception, proximity to existing installations, how much something protrudes into walkways, and a sense of constriction—things that are difficult to grasp from plan drawings alone—become easier to apprehend on the spot. This is not merely an issue of easier viewing; it leads to a reduction in the time and amount of conversation required for verification.

Also, BIM/CIM and AR construction are not limited to the early stages of a project. They are involved in all situations where on-site spatial alignment is required, such as pre-construction checks, comparison with existing structures, examination of construction procedures, coordination meetings among stakeholders, handling changes, and developing approaches for as-built verification. Their value is especially high on sites where the meaning of drawings must be shared from multiple perspectives. In other words, the combination of BIM/CIM and AR construction is not a system for merely showing three-dimensional models, but a system for turning three-dimensional models into information that can be used on site.

Understanding this will change your approach to implementation. The goal is not to adopt new technology for its own sake; first, you need to clarify what you want to check on site, which tasks you want to make easier, and what kinds of rework you want to reduce. If the objective is to simplify position verification, what’s needed is not flashy displays but an operational method with clear reference points that reduces on-site confusion and helps multiple people reach the same understanding. This is the starting point for leveraging BIM/CIM in AR construction.

The Value of Utilizing BIM/CIM for AR Construction

The value of applying BIM/CIM to AR construction lies in being able to transform the information in drawings and three-dimensional models into a form closer to on-site decision-making. What eats up time on site is not always the construction work itself. The back-and-forth of checking on drawings where something will be placed, verifying clearances to existing structures on site, explaining to stakeholders, and returning to the drawings if something feels off is actually a significant burden. Combining BIM/CIM with AR construction makes it easier to reduce part of this back-and-forth.

For example, when confirming positions before construction, something that seems to work on the drawings may, when seen on site, feel too close to existing installations, appear to protrude into a passageway, or leave less space for work than expected. Ideally these issues would be detected at the drawing stage, but in practice some impressions can only be gained on site. Using AR for construction lets you overlay three-dimensional information onto the site in real time, shortening the time it takes to notice any sense of incongruity.

Also, BIM/CIM and AR construction are valuable as means to reduce differences in understanding among stakeholders. On site, designers emphasize dimensional coordination, contractors emphasize constructability, and managers may be concerned with maintenance and safety. Even if they are looking at the same drawings, conversations can be hard to align if they focus on different things. Being able to confirm the same object on site while looking at it makes it easier to discuss where the problem lies on a common premise, and meetings become more concrete.

Moreover, faster response to changes is itself a major value. During construction, design changes, responses to site conditions, and reviews of interfaces with existing installations occur. At those times, trying to determine the scope of impact from only the differences on drawings takes time. If AR construction allows you to view the updated information together with the on-site space, it becomes easier to grasp where and how things have changed, and explanations to stakeholders become faster. Even if eliminating changes themselves is difficult, it is possible to shorten the time needed to understand those changes.

Additionally, one of the values of leveraging BIM/CIM in AR construction is that it helps compensate for differences in experience. The ability to deeply interpret drawings and three-dimensional models tends to vary with experience. However, when they can be overlaid on-site, it becomes easier to at least align understanding of what goes where and what needs to be checked. This is also useful for training new employees and communicating with subcontractors. Being able to create a situation in which multiple people share the same spatial image, rather than only one person understanding it, is a major practical advantage.

However, to deliver value it is important to narrow down how they are used. Rather than making everything visible, it is better for on-site work to start with situations where the effects are easy to see, such as position verification, clash detection, and sharing explanations. BIM/CIM and AR in construction are not systems that automatically become useful just by being introduced. Only when you clarify what they will be used for and can use them to reduce confusion on site will their true value emerge.

Tip 1: First narrow down the purpose of confirming the location

The first tip for making position checks easier is to narrow down the purpose first. Because BIM/CIM and AR construction appear to be useful for many things, it's easy when introducing them to try to create an all-purpose system. However, what is truly easy to use on site is an operation that limits the information and the way it's presented to the checks needed right now. If what you want to check is vague, the objects and reference points to look at on site won't be defined, and it will end up merely serving as an aid for drawing verification.

For example, the information required changes depending on whether you want a check close to pre-construction positioning, to verify clearances with existing structures, to share how it will look after completion, or to confirm the impact on work flow. If you want a check close to the positioning, it is important that reference lines, key dimensions, and the basis for locations are easy to see. On the other hand, if you prioritize the post-completion appearance, it is more important that shapes and the sense of volume are easy to grasp. Even with the same model, the information that is valuable on site changes depending on the purpose of the check.

The benefits of narrowing the objective go beyond making preparation lighter. On-site conversations are less likely to scatter, and decisions are made faster. When everything can be inspected, each role focuses on different concerns, which blurs the focus of checks. If you want to make position confirmation easier, it is important first to concentrate attention on the items necessary for position confirmation. Because time on site is limited, deepening verification is more effective than increasing the number of things to check.

Also, narrowing down the objectives in advance makes it easier to judge success. It becomes easier to measure the effects you want to see—such as how much explanation time was reduced after implementation, where you were able to spot issues earlier, or whether the number of meetings decreased. This makes it easier for on-site staff to feel the value of using it. If the objectives remain vague, the system tends to be treated as something that seems convenient but whose effectiveness is unclear.

When people want to leverage BIM/CIM for AR construction, many focus on display methods and features. However, to make on-site location checks easier, it is more important to first decide what you want to simplify. Start by narrowing down to a single verification task; if you can create a situation in which uncertainty is reduced for that task, it will be easier to expand to other uses without losing focus. Systems that make location checks easier begin not with the number of features, but with a clear purpose.

Tip 2 Organize only the model information used on site

The second tip is to organize only the model information that will be used on site. BIM/CIM models contain a great deal of information, and that in itself is highly valuable. However, when using them for AR construction on site, having a large amount of information does not necessarily make them easier to use. On the contrary, if there is too much unnecessary information, the reference elements and items you want to check can become buried, making position verification harder. On site, it is important that what you need is immediately visible.

Information necessary for position verification should be narrowed down according to the intended use. For example, if you want to confirm the planar position, grid lines, outline, key dimensions, installation location, and reference lines should be prioritized. If you want to check for interference with existing structures, a layout that clearly shows the relationship with surrounding equipment, wall surfaces, and passageways is necessary. Fine details that were necessary for drafting and design can sometimes hinder decision-making on site. Deciding what not to display is also an important measure to improve usability on site.

Also, organizing information speeds up the detection of positional misalignments. If reference lines or planes are clearly visible, it becomes easier to notice deviations or a sense that something is off compared to the actual site. Conversely, when there is too much information, each person’s attention is drawn to different areas, so even when viewing the same screen they tend to have different impressions. Because on-site checks often allow only a short amount of time, preventing the eye from wandering itself contributes to improved accuracy.

Furthermore, it is better to treat the model information for the field separately from the configuration that is easy to view in the office. While it can be useful in the office to overlay multiple layers and attribute information to understand the whole, that amount of information can become a burden on site. On site, a configuration that makes it immediately clear what needs to be checked is more valuable. Because AR construction involves viewing information within physical space, organizing information is even more important than with 2D plans.

This cleanup is not simply to make things look neater. It is necessary preparation to increase the speed of on-site verification, make standards easier to share, and allow position checks to proceed without hesitation. Even if you combine BIM/CIM with AR construction, if the information viewed on site is not organized, its value is halved. If you want to make position verification easier, first reselect the elements in the model that are truly necessary on site.

Tip 3 Standardize reference points and reference lines

The third tip is to standardize the reference point and reference line. Nothing is more important for making position verification easier. No matter how clear the model is, if the reference used to overlay it on site differs from person to person, the appearance will differ each time. That causes instability to make a stronger impression on site than convenience. To use BIM/CIM and AR construction in practice, you must first agree on which point will serve as the origin for aligning with the site.

A reference point should be an element that is easy to find on site and clearly recognizable as the same location by anyone. Corners of buildings, intersections of street centerlines, ends of existing structures, and clearly defined reference lines on the floor are candidates. It is important to prioritize points that are easy to reproduce on site over those that are convenient on the drawings. Even if a point is clear on the drawings, it becomes an unstable reference if on site it is hidden, hard to see, or there are many similar features.

Also, it is safer not to rely on a single reference point. If you align using only one location, any misunderstanding about that point or differences from the current conditions will carry through as an overall offset. In addition to reference points, having reference lines makes it easier to ensure consistency in orientation and rotation, improving reproducibility on site. If you especially want to make position checks easier, it is effective to decide on multiple references in advance so you won't be uncertain each time you align.

Furthermore, reference points and reference lines are meaningless if only the person in charge of the drawings understands them. It is important that the people who view, explain, and make decisions on site can treat them with the same assumptions. A reference that exists only in one person's head quickly becomes person-dependent on site. Which position to use as the starting point and which line to align should be shared in words beforehand and, if necessary, confirmed on site. This is not a technical problem but an operational issue of aligning the conditions for verification.

When reference points and reference lines are unified, position verification becomes much easier. This is because it makes it easier to share on-site which elements are correct and which feel off. Conversely, if these remain ambiguous, the way things appear will shift slightly each time, and the reliability of AR construction will not improve. If you want to leverage BIM/CIM for AR construction to simplify position verification, you should prioritize thoroughly standardizing the references before addressing display methods.

Tip 4: Align height, orientation, and viewing angle

The fourth tip is to align height, orientation, and viewing perspective. When checking positions on site, people tend to focus only on left-right and front-back planar positions, but in practice differences in height and slight orientation mismatches often create a sense of wrongness in the field. Even if something looks correct in plan, it is not uncommon for it to feel too high, too low, slightly rotated, or to give a different impression depending on the viewpoint. To make position checking truly easy, it is important to align these three from the start.

When it comes to height, it is necessary to clarify which surface is being used as the reference. On site there are multiple height references, such as floor level, finished surface, the top of foundations or supports, and the mounting heights of existing equipment. Even if the values are understood on drawings, if it is unclear on site which height they are being referenced to, that ambiguity will manifest as a visual inconsistency. Especially during equipment replacement or when interfacing with existing installations, slight differences in the vertical direction can have a major impact on constructability and maintainability, so attention is required even more than for plan layout.

The same applies to orientation. If people use different reference directions — the drawing’s north, the building’s axis, the street centerline, the front of equipment, etc. — the entire model can appear slightly rotated. Such discrepancies are hard to notice at a single location and may only become strongly apparent when moving through the model. If you want to make position checks easier, you should standardize the orientation reference in advance so that anyone viewing it has the same sense of direction.

Furthermore, fixing the viewpoints to be checked is also effective. Ideally, it should be understood the same way from anywhere, but in practice it is more usable on site if you decide in advance which viewpoints have high verification value. By narrowing the viewpoint scenes according to the purpose—such as how it appears from the aisle, how it appears from the working position, and how it appears from the user's eye level—checks are less likely to vary. Rather than walking around and looking without limits, deciding the important viewpoints in advance also speeds up position checks.

Aligning height, orientation, and the viewpoint does not limit how things are seen. On the contrary, it is a measure to stabilize on-site visibility and make it easier for multiple people to judge under the same conditions. When applying BIM/CIM to AR construction, many sites where position verification remains difficult do not have these alignment conditions in place. Rather than being satisfied with the plan view alone, aligning height, orientation, and viewpoint as well leads to better usability in practice.

Tip 5: Verify against existing installations first

The fifth tip is to verify existing conditions first. Even if the BIM/CIM model is well prepared, the actual existing conditions on site are not necessarily the same as shown on the drawings. Especially at renovation sites or during equipment renewal, it is not uncommon for there to be differences between the current conditions and the model—for example, existing equipment being slightly out of position, temporary structures having been added, or finishes having changed. If you proceed to AR construction without checking for these differences, the displayed overlays may appear misaligned and on-site confidence will drop sharply.

The first thing to be aware of is what you will use as the existing reference for verification. There are many existing elements on site, but it is not realistic to compare all of them at once. Using elements that are unlikely to change and easy to confirm—such as building corners, ends of existing structures, floor lines, and clearly defined positions of existing equipment—as references will improve the accuracy and speed of verification. Deciding in advance which points you will compare for alignment will reduce uncertainty on site.

Also, it is better not to limit verification against the existing installation to a single point. Even if it matches at one location, there can be discrepancies at more distant points. By checking multiple locations and confirming that everything is consistent as a whole, the level of confidence on site changes. To make position checks easier, it is more important that the method of aligning can be used repeatedly on site than that it be aligned once. Checking consistency at multiple locations is effective for improving that reproducibility.

Furthermore, a mindset of questioning differences from the existing installation also helps when responding to changes. When something feels off on site, instead of immediately assuming it’s a display problem, checking for changes in the existing installation speeds up isolating the cause. If you can tell which parts are as-drawn and which have changed in the current conditions, it becomes easier to consider the necessary corrections. This is also important for reducing the need to redo position confirmations.

Verifying the existing conditions first is not being overly cautious. Rather, it is the most direct route to leveraging BIM/CIM in AR construction. If you identify differences between the existing conditions and the model early, subsequent position checks become significantly easier. To reduce on-site unease and avoid distrust in how things appear, it is important not to overlook this procedure.

Tip 6 Decide verification procedures and role assignments

The sixth tip is to establish verification procedures and role assignments. BIM/CIM and AR-enabled construction will not become established on site through presentation techniques alone. When it is decided who on site looks at what, in what order checks are carried out, and where decisions are made, the workflow for position verification stabilizes and usability improves dramatically. Conversely, if things are left to on-the-spot judgment at the site, the method changes each time and a system that should be convenient instead becomes a burden.

As a verification procedure, it is easy to follow a flow in which you first check the reference points and reference lines, then look at the planar position to check for any inconsistencies in height or orientation, and finally inspect areas prone to interference and other key points to be checked. Simply having this order decided clarifies what should be looked at on site. If the order changes in the course of conversation, important checks can be missed or the same items can be inspected repeatedly. Standardizing the procedure is highly effective for making position verification easier.

Roles and responsibilities are also important. If it is unclear who is in charge of displaying the model, who checks the criteria, who checks for any discrepancies with the current situation, and who records the results, people on site tend to end up simply looking on without focus. As a result, discussions can proceed without anyone making decisions with responsibility. Especially in settings involving multiple parties, dividing roles in advance makes it easier to prevent omissions in verification.

Furthermore, sharing in advance the key points that require focused checks is important for making the most of procedures and role assignments. Rather than inspecting everything with the same density, if you first share the high-value check points—such as locations where the distance to existing structures is tight, locations that may affect the construction sequence, and locations related to user circulation—you can carry out effective checks even with limited time. Making on-site position checks easier does not mean looking around aimlessly; it means ensuring that important points can be located and inspected without hesitation.

If you want BIM/CIM and AR construction to be genuinely useful on site, you must not underestimate the verification procedures and division of roles. Even with the same technology, the benefits vary greatly between sites where operations are organized and those where they are not. When the verification workflow is stable, it can be used repeatedly on site with confidence. That most directly supports the goal of making position verification easier.

Tip 7: Feed insights gained on-site back into updates

The seventh tip is to feed insights gained on site back into updates. BIM/CIM and AR construction have value simply in being overlaid and viewed on site, but to continuously increase that value, a workflow that reflects on-site insights into the next models and drawings is indispensable. If information such as feeling something was off about a position on site, the relationship with existing structures being slightly different from the drawings, or the way reference points were taken being unclear ends up as a one-time observation, you will run into the same problems next time.

First and foremost, it's important to record where you looked, what you saw, and what felt off. Simply saying that something looked slightly misaligned will not lead to improvements. If you document which position, relative to which standard, and in what way it appeared, you'll be able to tell whether the issue lies with the model, is a discrepancy with the current situation, or stems from a lack of shared standards. This is essential to prevent position checks from ending as mere subjective impressions and to turn them into information that can be acted on.

Next, a process is needed to return the findings from the field back into the official models and drawings. If you can reflect differences in existing conditions, areas that were difficult to verify, and positional relationships that may need to be changed as update information, the accuracy of subsequent checks will improve. Conversely, if discussions end on site and updates remain ambiguous, those valuable verifications will not be accumulated. One of the values of using BIM/CIM is that it allows information to be built up over time.

Also, when this workflow is in place, sharing among stakeholders becomes faster. If it is clear where the problems were, what was reviewed, and where to focus verification next time, meetings become more concrete. On site, if confirmation results are only used on the spot, the same discussions tend to be repeated each time. By having a procedure to feed those results back into the update process, position verification becomes easier with each iteration.

If you truly want to make position checks easy by leveraging BIM/CIM in AR construction, don't make it a process that ends with merely viewing things on site. By connecting on-site observations to subsequent steps, the accuracy of displays, the clarity of reference standards, and the alignment of stakeholders' understanding will gradually improve. Feeding on-site insights back into updates may seem unremarkable during the early stages of adoption, but in the long term it's the key practice that makes the biggest difference.

How to Establish BIM/CIM AR Construction on Site

So far we've reviewed seven tips, but to establish them on site it's important not to scale up too quickly. BIM/CIM and AR construction have broad potential and can appear applicable to anything. However, if you try to roll them out to every site, every process, and every stakeholder from the start, preparation becomes burdensome and it becomes harder for on-site staff to understand when to use them. It's more effective to begin with use cases where the benefits are easy to see — situations that involve time-consuming position checks, where comparisons with existing structures are difficult, or where explanations take a long time.

Also, it is important not to dismiss usability issues raised from the field. Comments such as “standards are hard to find,” “there is too much information,” “we want to view items in a different order on site,” and “it’s difficult to track update differences” are extremely valuable when promoting on-site implementation. Treat these voices as material for improvement, and by gradually adjusting things to fit the flow of the field, BIM/CIM AR construction will become easier to establish. Rather than creating a perfect operation from the start, refining it through use better suits the field.

In addition, it is important to make the benefits for each role visible. Construction management has the advantage of shorter verification time, on-site personnel have the advantage of easier spatial awareness, and the design side has the advantage of being able to quickly grasp differences from the existing conditions. When these concrete values are shared, the site becomes more receptive and easier to use. A system that only benefits some people will not become established, no matter how new it is.

For adoption to take hold, AR construction needs to be positioned not as a special showcase but as part of daily verification tasks. If it is clear whether it will be used for pre-construction checks, meetings, or change comparisons, the barrier to on-site implementation is reduced. Sites that successfully use BIM/CIM AR construction do not treat it like a special event; they naturally incorporate it into their usual verification procedures.

Establishment is not about creating a large-scale system. It means gradually reducing on-site waste, reducing uncertainty in checks, and, as a result, becoming an indispensable tool. If the objective of making position confirmation easier does not waver, the necessary improvements will become easier to identify. It is important to view BIM/CIM AR construction not as something that is completed the moment it is introduced, but as something that is strengthened through use on-site.

How to make position verification even easier in practical work

As seven tips for leveraging BIM/CIM in AR construction, we covered narrowing the objectives, organizing information, unifying standards, aligning heights, orientations, and viewpoints, verifying existing conditions, defining confirmation procedures and role assignments, and reflecting observations in updates. By carefully building these up, BIM/CIM and AR construction move beyond being mere visualization mechanisms and become practical systems that support on-site position verification. What is particularly important is not the act of showing itself, but creating a state in which on-site personnel can make decisions without hesitation.

If you want to make position checks even easier, it's effective not to treat AR construction merely as a tool for understanding, but to connect it, as needed, to a way of thinking for handling positions more reliably. After overlaying and inspecting on site to determine what aligns and where there are discrepancies, there are many situations in which you will want to verify those positions more reproducibly. This perspective is especially important on sites where you want to tie pre-construction position checks to more concrete decisions.

When considering such operations, measures that allow incorporating high-precision positioning in a form that is easy to use on site, such as LRTK (iPhone-mounted GNSS device for high-precision positioning), are also effective. If you can accelerate spatial understanding with BIM/CIM and AR-assisted construction while, as needed, improving the reproducibility of position checks, on-site decision-making becomes more stable. If you truly want to make position checking easier, it is important to streamline viewing drawings, overlaying and understanding them on site, and confirming required positions into a single workflow.