5 Ways to Save Time During Electrical Coordination 

By Tawney Vaughan, Electrical BIM Manager 

Coordinating electrical systems in a BIM environment isn’t just about getting everything to fit—it’s about streamlining communication, reducing rework, and making smart decisions early. 

Here are five time-saving practices that help electrical teams stay efficient and aligned throughout the coordination process: 

1. Wait for Duct and Sloped Pipe to Finalize Their Moves 

One of the biggest time-wasters during coordination is having to redo work because ductwork or sloped piping keeps shifting. Electrical routes are often constrained by these systems, so holding off on routing until mechanical and plumbing elements are in their final positions can save hours of unnecessary remodeling. 

Patience early on prevents backtracking later. 

2. Maintain Constant Communication with the Field 

Coordination is most successful when there’s ongoing input from the field. Whether it's verifying installation methods or confirming available space, real-world feedback ensures the model reflects what’s actually buildable. Regular check-ins with field teams help avoid design disconnects and ensure constructibility. 

3. Stay in Sync with the BIM Coordination Team 

Electrical doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Frequent communication with the BIM coordination team keeps everyone on the same page and prevents misalignment across trades. Whether it's clash resolutions or planned routing changes, staying connected allows for proactive adjustments before they become problems. 

4. Verify the Level of Detail (LOD) Scope Upfront 

Time is often wasted when teams over-model or under-model based on unclear LOD expectations. Clarifying the required scope of work at the start—either with the client or through the BIM coordination team—ensures the right level of development, no more and no less. 

A clear LOD target prevents scope creep and unnecessary revisions. 

5. Use Viewpoints in Navisworks to Track Notes and Moves 

Navisworks viewpoints are a powerful tool for documenting trade coordination decisions. For example, a note like “Duct to move 3'' north here” gives clear visual and written confirmation of next steps. Using saved viewpoints helps track changes over time, eliminates guesswork, and ensures everyone has access to the latest updates. 

This simple habit becomes a huge time-saver during weekly coordination meetings. 

Electrical coordination is complex, but these five strategies—from smarter communication to using tools like Navisworks effectively—can dramatically reduce wasted time and increase clarity across teams. 

When coordination flows well, so does the entire project. 

About the Author: 

Tawney Vaughan is an Electrical BIM Manager at our partner company, BIMTM. Who is BIMTM? 

BIMTM is a proud EVOLVE partner. Founded in 2021, BIM Technology Management (BIMTM) was born from a need for better BIM solutions. 

As industry professionals, we experienced firsthand the frustrations of dealing with unbuildable models, wasted time, and a lack of practical understanding from service providers. 

And since our entire team is U.S.-based, you’ll get real collaboration with industry pros who speak your language—no time zone juggling, no communication gaps, just seamless project coordination from start to finish. 

Contact BIMTM: https://bimtm.com/contact/