Emerging technical risks from the application of building information modelling

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-212
Author(s):  
Moshabab Aljarman ◽  
Halim Boussabaine ◽  
Khalid Almarri

Purpose Building information modelling (BIM) is not without risk, as the greater reliance on information technology has associated technical risks. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to assess the perceptions of the users of BIM regarding the likelihood of emergence of technical risks which might influence the successful application of BIM, to facilitate the successful implementation of BIM in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach The primary data were collected via a questionnaire to document the BIM risks, where 105 responses were recorded from constructors, consultants, cost consultants and other professionals from the UK construction industry. Subsequently, the analysis of the results was driven by univariate and inferential statistics (ANOVA) to assess the perception of risk emergence. Findings The study found the most likely technical risks that might emerge from BIM application. These risks are complexity of transferring modelling data from one program to another, lack of understanding of the BIM for the different software platforms, interoperability shortcomings, failure to discover errors in the model and risks of different software platforms. Practical implications The results will certainly intensify the discussion about BIM risks, risk allocation and all other aspects that are related to BIM contractual processes. Also, the compiled list of risks will help stakeholders in assessing financial implications that may result from BIM application. Originality/value Important technical risks have been identified in the application of BIM. This renders a new understanding of the risks that might influence the successful application of BIM. The respondents generally agreed on the importance of the following risks: “complexity of transferring modelling data between programs from one program to another”, “lack of understanding of the BIM for the different software platforms”, “interoperability shortcomings”, “failure to discover errors in the model” and “risks of different software platforms”, which are in line with current literature.

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 2307-2325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid Almarri ◽  
Moshabab Aljarman ◽  
Halim Boussabaine

Purpose There has been a mounting interest in building information modelling (BIM) in the construction industry sector worldwide due to its perceived benefits. However, reliance on information technology is associated with risks. The purpose of this paper is to offer a better understanding of the emerging contractual and legal risks, which might influence the successful adoption of BIM, in order to facilitate the successful implementation of BIM in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach The risks used in the study were documented from the literature, and primary data were collected by a questionnaire survey. The analysis of the results was driven by univariate and inferential statistics (Analysis of Variance) to identify the emerging contractual and legal risks. Findings The findings showed that there were little significant differences in the mean rating of the occurrence of contractual and legal risks between the respondents. The study confirmed that emerging risks are likely to be related to BIM documentations, intellectual rights and liability, missing data and misplaced assumptions among project stakeholders. The results showed that BIM success depends on close collaboration, at the outset of the project, with the client, designers, contractors and consultants. Practical implications The findings suggest that contract documents and contract agreements may need to be created in accordance with the identified risks, so that the questions of contractual and legal responsibilities are appropriately defined and allocated among the participants. Originality/value Important legal and contractual risks have been identified in the application of BIM. It renders a new understanding of the risks that might influence the successful adoption of BIM.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid Almarri ◽  
Moshabab Aljarman ◽  
Halim Boussabaine

Purpose Building information modelling (BIM) technology adoption is growing rapidly because of its perceived benefits. The purpose of this paper is to assess the perceptions of the users of BIM regarding the likelihood of managerial risks emergence that might influence the successful application of BIM, to facilitate the successful implementation of BIM in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach Emerging managerial BIM risks were extracted from the literature. The primary data were collected via a questionnaire survey. The analysis of the results was driven by univariate and inferential statistics (analysis of variance ) to assess the emergence of managerial risks. Findings The study confirmed the nine most likely managerial risks that might emerge from BIM adoption, which are lack of understanding of the expectations from BIM modelling, lack of experienced and skilled personnel, lack of clarity on integration of BIM with the current business practice, conflict because of dissimilar expectations from BIM, lack of collaborative work processes and standards, lack of understanding of BIM processes, lack of understanding modelling behaviours, lack of expertise within the project team, lack of expertise within the organizations and lack of criteria for BIM project implementation. Research limitations/implications The results will intensify the discussion about BIM risks, risk allocation and other aspects that are related to BIM methodology. The compiled list of managerial risks will help stakeholders in assessing financial implications that may result from BIM application. The list of risks could be used in pricing consultancy and construction services. More importantly, the list might be useful in developing an international standard for BIM risk management. The results showed that BIM success depends on the close collaboration, at the outset of the project, with contractors, consultants, designers and client. Originality/value Important managerial risks have been identified in the adoption of BIM. It renders a new understanding of the risks that might influence the successful application of BIM.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Apeesada Sompolgrunk ◽  
Saeed Banihashemi ◽  
Saeed Reza Mohandes

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify and analyse the key measurable returning factors, value drivers and strategic benefits associated with building information modelling (BIM) return on investment (ROI). The findings of this study provide researchers and practitioners with up-to-date information in formulating appropriate strategies to quantify the monetary value of BIM. The suggested research agenda provided would also advance what is presently a limited body of knowledge relating to the evaluation of BIM ROI. Design/methodology/approach To fill the identified gap, this study develops a comprehensive systematic review of mainstream studies on factors affecting BIM ROI published from 2000 to 2020. A total of 23 academic records from different sources such as journals, conference proceedings, dissertation and PhD theses were identified and thoroughly reviewed. Findings The reported BIM ROI ranged greatly from −83.3% to 39,900%. A total of 5 returning factors, namely, schedule reduction and compliance, productivity improvement, request for information reduction, rework reduction and change orders reduction were identified as the most commonly reported factors that influence BIM ROI. Four quantification techniques including general assumptions-based theoretical model, perceived BIM ROI based on survey, factors affecting BIM ROI with no reported ROI and quantified BIM ROI based on a case study were observed and pointed out in the review, together with their limitations. Finally, three major gaps were raised as the lack of consideration on the likelihood of BIM assisting in a construction project, intangible returning factors influencing BIM-based projects and industry standards in benchmarking BIM ROI. Practical implications The outcomes of this study would assist practitioners by providing the current evaluation techniques that address the limitations with BIM investment and present issues relating to the economic evaluation of BIM in the construction industry. It is also expected that presenting a deeper and wider perspective of the research work performed until now will direct a more focussed approach on productivity improvement efforts in the construction industry. Originality/value This study identifies and analyses the key measurable returning factors, value drivers and strategic benefits associated with BIM ROI on an industry scale rather than a particular organisation or a project scale.


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 408-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wallace Imoudu Enegbuma ◽  
Uche Godwin Aliagha ◽  
Kherun Nita Ali

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the relationship between building information modelling (BIM) adoption from the perspectives of people, process and technology to strategic information technology (IT) in construction mediated by collaborative processes for new BIM entrants. The demand pull for more effective project delivery in the construction industry across the globe has continued to transform design techniques from two-dimensional, three-dimensional (3D) and, currently, BIM. Leverage on IT is pivotal for construction industry development as earmarked by the Malaysian construction industry master plan. BIM uptake by stakeholders in Malaysia construction industry is on a gradual increase. BIM generates and manages building data during its life cycle via 3D, real-time, dynamic building modelling. Design/methodology/approach – BIM model is dependent on collaborative contribution by project teams’ input at various stages. However, challenges such as people, process and technology impede an effective adoption rate in Malaysia. This paper presents a continuation of an ongoing theoretical framework developed, to further investigate the relationship between BIM adoption from perspectives of people, process and technology to strategic IT in construction and collaborative process. To develop the framework, an extensive literature review on factors affecting BIM adoption was carried out. The underlining gap stems from a positivist standpoint in examining human – IT interaction. The model builds on conceptual technology acceptance models incorporating strategic IT implementation and collaborative processes in the industry. Findings – The paper examined factors affecting BIM adoption in Malaysia. The factors are further affected by the environment where BIM is utilised. The paper also presents the mediating effect of collaboration for new BIM entrants. Overall, the theorised hypotheses delineate the strength and significance of the examined relationship within the model. Subsequently, the data will be collected from construction industry professionals (architects, quantity surveyors, engineers and contractors) through the developed survey instrument. The hypotheses will undergo structural equation modelling to analyse the desired statistical power, test for close versus exact fit and complexity of the model. Social implications – The findings will delineate the variables with predominant impact on BIM adoption and serves as a guide to future policymaking on BIM implementation in Malaysia. Originality/value – Current research on BIM in Malaysia is limited to readiness and awareness. This paper extends the need for empirical findings from construction professionals’ perception of BIM. The findings also explain reasons for BIM adoption in new BIM entrants and add to current body of knowledge on IT acceptance model formation.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Adam ◽  
Patrick Manu ◽  
Abdul-Majeed Mahamadu ◽  
Krzysztof Dziekonski ◽  
Ernest Kissi ◽  
...  

Purpose Although building information modelling (BIM) adoption in developed countries has largely been incentivised by government, in developing countries, adoption is often driven by desires of industry professionals, which is dependent on awareness of BIM and availability of skills among the professionals. Thus, BIM awareness and competence among professionals have become useful baseline measures of BIM readiness. To ascertain BIM readiness within the Seychelles construction industry, this study aims to investigate the level of BIM awareness and level of BIM competence among construction professionals. Design/methodology/approach The study involved a questionnaire survey of construction professionals (n = 96) and data analysis using both descriptive statistics and association analysis. Findings The results indicate a moderate level of BIM awareness, but a low level of engagement in BIM education/training. Also, the professionals have very low BIM technical skills, notably the ability to use BIM-related tools and to perform BIM-related task. Furthermore, this study suggests that the experience of working on collaborative projects could be a useful premise for BIM implementation among construction professionals. Originality/value The implication is that construction professionals in the Seychelles need to start readying themselves for greater BIM adoption by taking steps to address the BIM technical skills deficiencies and the low engagement in BIM education/training.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Evans ◽  
Peter Farrell ◽  
Wael Zewein ◽  
Ayman Mashali

Purpose The construction industry encounters substantial challenges in its evolution towards sustainable development and to the adoption of building information modelling (BIM) technology and lean construction (LC) practices on construction mega-projects. This study aims to present critical challenges and to investigate the interactions of BIM and LC on construction mega-projects encountered by key stakeholders in their efforts to integrate BIM and LC. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research approach is adopted to introduce and validate LC principles and BIM functionalities resulting from a detailed analysis of extant literature, followed by a conceptual analysis of the interactions between BIM and LC on construction mega-projects. A quantitative questionnaire survey is then used. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests are used for data analysis, and analysis of variance tests elaborate and validate results. Findings The research yielded ten BIM functionalities and ten LC principles, which are categorised in four principle areas and four BIM functionality groups. A research framework for analysis of the interaction between BIM and LC is then compiled. Originality/value Research findings and the proposed framework will enhance the adoption of BIM and LC practices on construction mega-projects and allow project key stakeholders to place emphasis on tackling crucial challenges and barriers identified in this research. The framework will guide and stimulate research; and as such, the approach adopted up to this point is constructive. The identified interactions between BIM and LC on construction mega-projects show positive synergies between the two.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Karina Silverio ◽  
Subashini Suresh

Purpose The increased use and proven benefits of building information modelling (BIM) worldwide suggest that its implementation could be of great help in diminishing inefficient traditional practices in the Dominican Republic (DR) construction industry. However, there is no empirical work about the implementation of BIM in the country. This study aims to critically appraise and document the status of the implementation of BIM in the DR to raise awareness and understand how BIM can be successfully implemented in the country. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach was adopted in which data was collected through semi-structured interviews, with the participation of 53 professionals from 36 construction organisations. The data collected was analysed with the method of content analysis. Findings The results confirmed that the DR is a BIM infant country. There are low levels of BIM implementation. The reasons why BIM is not implemented are explored, and a significant interest in implementing BIM in the future was also reported. Drivers to implement BIM include BIM benefits, competitive advantage and pressure from external partners. Current BIM approaches are mainly single-disciplinary, principally in architecture, and the effectiveness and scope of implementation are highly affected by intra-organisational and inter-organisational barriers. Originality/value There is a lack of research about the implementation of BIM in the DR. This study bridges this research gap by collecting primary data from Dominican construction organisations and construction professionals to report findings related to BIM implementation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afifuddin Husairi Husain ◽  
Muhammad Najib Razali ◽  
Sabariah Eni

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the benefits that client organisations expect from building information modelling (BIM) investment in Malaysia. Furthermore, this paper investigates the outcomes that, from the stakeholders’ point of view, the BIM approach needs to present. Design/methodology/approach To achieve this aim, this research employed a series of structured interviews which were conducted with representatives from client construction organisations in Malaysia. A structured questionnaire, containing 34 items, was used to collect data from respondents. Findings This research’s findings indicated that increased project revenue is one of the most expected benefits of BIM investment. In addition, it has been revealed that the Malaysian construction industry has implemented the BIM approach to project management. Furthermore, the great deal of acceptance among industrial players has been significantly positive, and thereby it can be concluded that the implementation of BIM in Malaysia has lots of potential. Originality/value This paper’s finding offers great knowledge, policy, and academic contribution, acknowledging the development of BIM’s implementation within the Malaysian construction industry.


2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 424-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Rogers ◽  
Heap-Yih Chong ◽  
Christopher Preece

Purpose – Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology has been well received by the Malaysian construction industry, yet the adoption rate is extremely slow. Many areas of adoption issues and know how regarding BIM were investigated. However, no prior research has considered the perspective from engineering consulting services (ECS) firms. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore the overview and adoption of BIM from the perspective of Malaysian ECS firms, with its objectives first, to determine the perceptions, barriers, governmental support and intentions in adopting BIM, and second, to identify the key drivers for adopting BIM within two years. Design/methodology/approach – The primary data were collected from focus group interview and questionnaire survey to achieve the first objective, and subsequently, the second objective was achieved based on Pearson relationship analysis. Findings – The results show that the firms have a concept of BIM that equates to industry authorities’ norms; yet the lack of well-trained personnel, guidance and governmental supports were identified as the main barriers to adoption. Nevertheless, the firms were prepared to adopt BIM where market demands and competitive advantage were the main drivers to adoption within two years. Originality/value – A different perspective has been highlighted in adoption of BIM. It renders a new insight into the effective adoption and use of BIM from the ECS firms’ perspective.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullahi B. Saka ◽  
Daniel W.M. Chan

Purpose This study aims to evaluate and investigate the dynamics of the barriers to building information modelling (BIM) adoption from the perspective of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries with the Nigerian construction industry as a case study. Design/methodology/approach An interpretive structural modelling approach was adopted to develop a hierarchical model of the interrelationships of the barriers. Also, the Matrice d’Impacts croises-multipication applique a classement analysis was used for categorisation of the barriers. Findings The findings revealed that the barriers are from a sociotechnical context and that SMEs have the will to drive BIM adoption by focussing more on their internal environment. Originality/value This study presented the adoption of BIM in SMEs, which is underrepresented in extant studies. Also, it contributes to the nascent discussion of BIM from the perspective of SMEs in developing countries.


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