During early coordination on a hospital project, the BIM manager runs a general clash detection...

The clash matrix is the project’s approved framework for determining which model combinations, object categories, zones, and tolerances require coordination. The BIM manager should configure clash tests to reflect that matrix rather than distribute an unfiltered list of every geometric intersection generated by the software.

Low-value results should be removed through controlled rule selection, object-category filtering, zone-based scoping, and technically justified tolerance settings. Reports can then be organized according to each discipline’s responsibility and focused on clashes that materially affect constructability, design intent, access, maintenance clearances, or code compliance.

Sending all 3,000 results to project teams transfers the BIM manager’s triage responsibility to designers and creates substantial coordination noise. Manual spreadsheet sorting separates the results from model context and is inefficient for repeated review cycles. Arbitrarily relaxing clash rules merely to reduce totals is also unacceptable; tolerances must correspond to documented project requirements rather than a desired numerical result.

Applying the clash matrix creates a repeatable, auditable process and ensures that coordination meetings address consequential issues instead of irrelevant geometric contacts.

Reference topics: Clash matrices; clash-test configuration; tolerance management; discipline-based reporting; coordination prioritization; Model Coordination.

===============