Frequently Asked Questions

Find some quick answers to a list of frequently asked questions about the Digital Delivery Management (DDM) Accreditation Scheme. If you have a question that isn’t featured here, please write in to enquiry@buildingsmartsingapore.org and we will respond within 7 working days.

Why should I get accredited?

Your skills and experience will be accredited by buildingSMART Singapore, which is documentary proof to employers and clients that you have what it takes to get the job done. In time, BCA has signaled that public sector construction and FM procurement will also move towards competency-based procurement.

What do I need to get accredited?

You need to submit your logbooks and your CV which shows your project track record. 1 logbook captures 1 project. You need to submit the requisite number of logbooks as per the minimum number of projects required for the Tier of Accreditation. Tier 4 requires 1 project, Tier 3 requires 3 projects, Tier 2 requires 5 projects. There is no logbook required for Tier 1.

What is a logbook?

A logbook is a documentation of the skills you have performed in your project track record. Each logbook contains a list of the benchmark key tasks as listed in the SkillsFuture Skills Maps, and it is to be endorsed by your supervisor or project team members who had worked on the same project as you and is of equivalent or higher standing. The logbook submission should be accompanied by evidence that you have participated in the project. The logbook templates are available for download here. The templates come with sample text to give you an idea of how it can be filled up.

How many logbooks do I need to submit?

Logbooks are a documentation of your project track record. At Tier 2 (Lead) level, candidates need to submit documentation that they have participated in 5 projects, so they should submit 5 logbooks, 1 logbook per project. At Tier 3 (Specialist) level, candidates need to submit documentation they have participation in 3 projects, so they should submit 3 logbooks, 1 logbook per project.

What Tier should I apply for?

It depends on your skills and experience! You should aim to apply at the tier in which you can fulfil the requisite skills in the SkillsFuture Skills Map. If you wish to apply at Tier 2 (Lead) level, you should have accumulated at least 5 projects wherein you have performed the 75% of the skills listed in the Tier 2 Skills Map. If you wish to apply at Tier 3 (Specialist) level, you should have accumulated at least 3 projects wherein you have performed 75% of the skills listed in the Tier 3 Skills Map.

What if I don’t have sufficient skills to apply at the Tier I want?

Congratulations, it means you have identified an area for professional development! Tell your supervisors about your intention, and request for opportunities to take up projects that can help you acquire the skills you want. As you are performing these skills, get your supervisor to sign them off! Meanwhile, apply at a suitable Tier with the skills and experience you have. Apply at your desired Tier once you have accumulated sufficient skills and experience to meet the requirements.

Are digital signatures accepted in the logbook?

Yes, digital signatures are accepted in the logbook. BuildingSMART Singapore will conduct reference checks with the HR and Referees listed in your logbook to verify the authenticity of information you have provided in your logbook.

What do the Tiers mean?

Tier 2 (Lead) is commonly known in the industry as a BIM Manager. Tier 3 (Specialist) is commonly known in the industry as a BIM Coordinator. Tier 4 (Assistant Specialist) is commonly known in the industry as a BIM Modeler. Tier 1 (Chief Digital Officer) is a C-suite management level position.

My experience is in infrastructure projects, does it count towards the project requirement?

Yes. So long as your project exceeds 5000sqm in gross floor area, it is to be considered towards the project requirement. Do take note that there is a 5-year validity period for projects to be considered. Ongoing projects may be included in your track record.

Can projects with GFA smaller than 5000sqm be considered part of my track record?

If your project is not more than 10% smaller than the Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 5000sqm, it can be considered as part of your project track record through the appeal process.

I stayed in one project for a long time and am not able to meet the requisite number of projects in my track record. What can I do about it?

If you are not able to meet the specified number of projects but one of your submitted projects is more than 20,000 sqm in Gross Floor Area, and your experience or involvement in this project was substantial, you can make an appeal for your application to be considered.

Why should I spend effort to get myself accredited?

The Digital Delivery Management (DDM) Accreditation Scheme provides a structured framework for your digital skillsets to be assessed and recognized by employers, procurers, and clients. This offers you a clear and progressive pathway to build up relevant digital skillsets.

How long does it take for my application to be approved?

It takes 2 months from the date of submission for your application to be approved. If you are planning to take the assessment test in July, you should plan to get your application submitted by May of that year, at the latest.

How do I prepare for the assessment test?

The assessment test covers general knowledge concerning the job role you are accrediting for, and based on the Technical Skills and Competencies listed in your Skills Map. You should be as widely read as possible and be knowledgeable with industry guides. The assessment is open-book and you have access to the Internet while taking the assessment. There is an optional pre-assessment course (fee: $100 per person) that you can sign up for, which takes you through a mock test in the actual assessment environment, so you can feel more assured that you are prepared to undertake the assessment.

Must I attend the pre-assessment course?

The pre-assessment course is entirely optional, and you can choose to skip it if you wish. The pre-assessment course informs you of the format of assessment and provides you with a few mock-test questions to help you understand how the actual assessment works. There is a fee of $100 per person applicable for attending the pre-assessment course. If you do not attend the course, you need not pay the course fee.

I can’t locate my ex-supervisor who worked with me on a project. What should I do?

If you don’t have the contact details of a particular ex-supervisor who would endorse your logbook, try approaching other people that you have worked with on that project. The person who endorses your logbook need not necessarily be your direct supervisor on the project. It can be, for example, someone on your client side, or a main contractor BIM Manager (while you were on the subcontractor BIM team). The endorsing party just needs to have worked on the same project as you and is of equivalent or higher standing than yourself.

I have left my company in which I performed the projects. How can I get my logbook signed?

You can still approach the company that you previously worked in to request for your logbooks to be signed. If you need assistance to explain what the DDM Accreditation Scheme is about, feel free to approach us at enquiry@buildingsmartsingapore.org and we can help you explain the situation.

Can buildingSMART help to contact my ex-supervisor to get the logbooks signed on my behalf?

Yes, it is possible for us to do so, if you provide the contact information for your ex-supervisor. However you are in the best position yourself to explain the situation and why you need your logbooks signed, since you have personally participated in that project. If you need support to explain what the DDM Accreditation Scheme is about, approach us at enquiry@buildingsmartsingapore.org and we will help you explain the situation.

What constitutes evidence of my participation?

It can be documentation that proves your participation in the project. It could be the BIM model, the BIM Execution Plan, or even meeting notes which shows that you have participated in that project within a specific role.

Have you got a question that isn’t featured here? Write us at enquiry@buildingsmartsingapore.org; if it becomes a frequently asked question, it will make its way to this page too!