scholarly journals An investigation into BIM-based detailed cost estimating and drivers to the adoption of BIM in quantity surveying practices

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Olusola Babatunde ◽  
Srinath Perera ◽  
Damilola Ekundayo ◽  
Tolulope Esther Adeleye
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Monitoring And Control ◽  
Cost Estimating ◽  
Design Quality ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consulting Firms ◽  
Quantity Surveying

Purpose Although studies have shown the relevance of building information modeling (BIM) in cost estimating process, efforts at investigating BIM based detailed cost estimating among professional quantity surveyors through quantitative approach are scanty. The purpose of this study is to identify and examine the usage of BIM-based detailed cost estimating software and assesses the drivers to BIM adoption within the Nigerian quantity surveying consulting firms. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive literature review, pilot study and questionnaire survey were adopted. The survey targeted both the BIM users and non- BIM users’ quantity surveying consulting firms in Lagos, Nigeria. The data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean score, standard deviation, Mann–Whitney test and factor analysis. Findings The study found that 46.58 per cent of quantity surveying consulting firms are aware of BIM and have adopted it for detailed cost estimating, while 49.32 per cent of quantity surveying consulting firms are aware but have not adopted BIM-based detailed cost estimating, and 4.10 per cent of quantity surveying consulting firms are not aware at all. Also, the study identified various BIM-based detailed cost estimating software used in quantity surveying practices and found that Microsoft Excel is often used alongside 3D software, Autodesk QTO, Navisworks, Innovaya Composer and CostX are prevalent BIM software used for detailed cost estimating. In addition, the study identified 21 drivers to the adoption of BIM in quantity surveying practices. The result of factor analysis grouped the 21 identified drivers into five principal factors: improved whole lifecycle/design quality, enhanced decision and visualization, cost and time saving, marketing and support for quantity surveyor tasks and government and client pressure. Practical implications This study provides significant insight into the application of BIM to quantity surveying consulting practices, thereby enabling consultant quantity surveyors to make informed decisions to select BIM cost estimating software to suit their practices. Further, the study findings can be useful for individuals’, clients’ and contractors’ quantity surveyors to be fully aware of the opportunities BIM could bring in relation to their service delivery. Originality/value Accurate cost estimating, effective cost monitoring and control are essential elements to a construction project success. This study further emphasized the importance of BIM to quantity surveying practices, particularly in the area of the detailed cost estimating.

scholarly journals Analysis of the drivers and benefits of BIM incorporation into quantity surveying profession

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 750-766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Olusola Babatunde ◽  
Damilola Ekundayo ◽  
Olubola Babalola ◽  
Jumoke Aduramigba Jimoh
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Whitney Test ◽  
Mann Whitney Test ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Quantity Surveying

Purpose Building information modeling (BIM) inclusion in education pedagogy is crucial in preparing skilled graduates for employment in the construction industry. Against this backdrop, studies on BIM education abound in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) programmes in higher education institutions (HEIs). However, there are limited empirical studies on BIM potentials in the quantity surveying (QS) profession in HEIs, particularly in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to identify and assess the BIM drivers and benefits as important to the QS profession using an empirical approach. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the BIM drivers and benefits in relation to the QS profession, which was used to design a questionnaire. To capture a broad perception, a questionnaire survey was carried out which targeted the academia and final year undergraduate students from two selected universities offering QS honour degree programmes in Nigeria. Data collected were analysed using mean score, standard deviation and Mann–Whitney test. Findings The study identified 12 BIM drivers in relation to the QS profession and the analysis of the ranking revealed that almost all the identified BIM drivers are considered by respondents as important. The study further identified 14 BIM benefits and the analysis of the ranking indicated that all the identified BIM benefits are considered as important. The results of the Mann–Whitney test indicated a slight statistically significant difference, particularly in one of the selected universities on the ranking of the BIM drivers and benefits as important to the QS profession. Practical implication The findings of the study provide empirical evidence on the current perceptions of the drivers and benefits of BIM to QS academia and students as they explore the concept for the advancement of QS profession. Originality/value This study would provide practical insights to use BIM for QS practice. Also, this study would contribute to improving the QS graduates and professional quantity surveyors understanding of the BIM knowledge applicable to QS profession.

scholarly journals MITIGATING STRATEGIES OF THREATS TO QUANTITY SURVEYING PROFESSION IN THE NIGERIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Lekan Ojo ◽  
Bolarinwa Ibrahim ◽  
Ayodeji Oke ◽  
Akinsami Akindeinde
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Technology Advancement ◽  
Consulting Firms ◽  
Lagos State ◽  
Quantity Surveying ◽  
Practice Knowledge

Quantity surveying (QS) profession had faced numerous challenges in recent decades than when it was first introduced in developing countries. In addition, opportunities via technology advancement to the profession were also perceived as threats. This, therefore, inform the need to investigate the possible mitigating strategies to the threats confronting the profession in the Nigerian construction industry as an attempt to proffer solutions. Therefore, opinions of quantity surveyors in construction firms, consulting firms and government establishments of Lagos State, Nigeria were collected through a survey. The mitigating strategies garnered from extant literature were used to elicit the opinions of the respondents. One hundred and twelve (112) copies of questionnaires were administered, while the retrieved copies were used to analyse with both descriptive and inferential statistics. Mean score and Standard Deviation (SD) were used to rank the opinions of the respondents, and factor analysis was used to group the mitigating strategies into concise form for ease of discussion. The results of the analysis show that the mitigating strategies identified in the study are significant to mitigating the threats in the QS profession. The factor analysis conducted grouped the mitigating strategies into four major groups, namely practice, knowledge, progressive learning and ethics. These groupings were discussed within the context of the study and in relation with previous researches. This study proffers possible solutions to the threats to the QS profession that had been publicised in many studies.

scholarly journals An investigation into BIM uptake among contracting firms: an empirical study in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Olusola Babatunde ◽  
Srinath Perera ◽  
Damilola Ekundayo ◽  
Damilola Sarah Adeleke
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current State ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Building information modeling (BIM) is vital in the performance improvement of contracting firms. Thus, there is a need to stimulate its implementation in the construction sector with a view to meeting the competitive demands of the industry. However, there have been very few studies on BIM implementation among contracting firms in Nigeria. Hence, this study aims to examine the current BIM uptake among Nigerian contracting firms, assess the barriers to BIM implementation and examine the ways of improving BIM implementation within these contracting firms. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was conducted on contracting firms (comprising small-, medium- and large-sized firms) in Lagos, Nigeria. The obtained data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. These included percentage, mean score, standard deviation, the Kruskal–Wallis test and factor analysis. Findings This study revealed the current state of BIM implementation among contracting firms in Nigeria in terms of their knowledge of BIM, their usage of BIM as well as the BIM software adopted. Furthermore, the study identified 25 barriers to BIM implementation in contracting firms and identified 15 ways to improve BIM implementation in contracting firms. The relative importance of both the identified barriers and the ways for improving BIM implementation was gauged among contracting firms comprising small-, medium- and large-sized firms. The result of the Kruskal–Wallis test revealed that, except for two (out of 25) identified barriers, and one (out of 15) identified ways of improving BIM implementation in contracting firms, there is no significant statistical difference in the perceptions of the three respondents’ groups. The result of the factor analysis categorized the identified 25 barriers into seven main factors. Practical implications This study provides empirical evidence on the barriers to BIM implementation and the ways of improving its implementation among contracting firms, thereby providing a better insight of the Nigerian construction industry’s BIM environment. Originality/value This study’s findings can positively inform the decisions of construction stakeholders to formulate strategies capable of improving BIM implementation in the construction industry at large.

scholarly journals Investigating the barriers to building information modeling (BIM) implementation within the Nigerian construction industry

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 2931-2958
Author(s):  
Oludolapo Ibrahim Olanrewaju ◽  
Nicholas Chileshe ◽  
Sunday Ajiboye Babarinde ◽  
Malindu Sandanayake
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Building Information Modeling ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Multivariate Techniques ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Barriers To Implementation ◽  
Lack Of Knowledge

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify and assess the perceptions of constructional professionals on barriers to implementation of building information modeling (BIM) within the Nigerian construction industry.Design/methodology/approachA scoping literature review was conducted to identify the fourteen barriers to implementation of BIM, which were employed to design a questionnaire survey. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, mean score, Kruskal–Wallis test, analysis of variance and multivariate techniques such as factor analysis.FindingsThe descriptive and empirical analysis demonstrated a disparity of ranking of the 14 barriers factors among the groups; however no statistically significant differences among the 14 barriers to BIM. Based on the mean score ranking results, only three (out of 14) barriers are identified as critical (mean score greater than 3.5): few studies available on BIM and lack of knowledge, inexistence or inadequate government policies, and high cost of implementation. The results of the one-sample t-tests show that they were statistically significant differences in 10 out of 14 barriers as follows: few studies available on BIM and lack of knowledge, lack of demand for use and acceptance of BIM, inadequate contractual coordination, lack of specified standards, cost of data and information sharing, technological availability issues, reluctance of other stakeholders, business and cultural changes, data and intellectual property issues, and interoperability issues. The study, through factor analysis, categorized the fourteen barriers to BIM implementation into four principal factors. The factors are: technology and business-related barriers; training and people-related barriers; cost and standards-related barriers; and process and economic-related barriers.Practical implicationsThe identification and assessment of the key barriers to BIM implementation would be useful for the construction professionals and other stakeholder of the construction industry with the view to advance BIM adoption in Nigeria. This could also be extended to other developing countries through considerations of the local economic conditions, given the status of BIM as being in the germinating stage of development in Africa.Originality/valueThe study provides insights on the barriers to BIM implementation across the Nigerian construction sector environments. The innovative aspect of the study is the identification of the ordered and grouped (composite) set of barriers to BIM which could be used to developing appropriate mitigating solutions.

Training gaps in the adoption of building information modelling by Nigerian construction professionals

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elijah Oluwatosin Oyewole ◽  
Joshua Oluwasuji Dada
Keyword(s):  
Gap Analysis ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Project Delivery ◽  
Cost Estimating ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Space Management ◽  
Adoption And Implementation ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Engineering Practices

Purpose The opportunities that the building information modeling (BIM) mode of project delivery presents warrant the need for the construction professionals to be adequately trained on BIM technology and processes. The purpose of this paper is to assess the training gaps that exist between the perceived and expected knowledge of BIM practice among construction professionals in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The study was carried out through a structured questionnaire survey administered on identifying training gaps among registered Nigerian construction professionals toward BIM adoption. Relevant information on the perceived and expected BIM mode of practices was systematically collected from 212 participants who are familiar with BIM concepts. The data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics and gap analysis. Findings Gap analysis was employed in determining the significance of BIM training gap for various practices among the construction professionals. The most significant gaps in BIM practice with gap analysis value>1 are the project review technique and clash detection for architectural practice. Among quantity surveyors, cost estimating, preparation of bills of quantities and project budgeting are the practice areas where there are significant training gaps in adopting BIM. For engineering practices, the gap analysis reveals a significant training gap in design creation and coordination, as-built-modeling, clash detection and space management. Research limitations/implications The research is limited to the perception of the respondents on actual and ideal BIM practices, not considering the process workflow, facility requirements and other issues that revolve round BIM adoption and implementation. It is also limited to professionals in the industry, and further studies will be appropriate to address these limitations. Practical implications The study reveals that there is a great need to meet the training gaps for BIM adoption in ensuring efficiency of construction project delivery. Originality/value The gaps that exist between the actual and expected BIM training were statistically established.

scholarly journals Drivers for implementation of building information modeling (BIM) within the Nigerian construction industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oludolapo Ibrahim Olanrewaju ◽  
Sunday Ajiboye Babarinde ◽  
Nicholas Chileshe ◽  
Malindu Sandanayake
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Building Information Modeling ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Multivariate Techniques ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Principal Factors

Purpose The Nigerian construction industry, like in most emerging economies has been slow with technological advances such as building information modeling (BIM). More so, the application of BIM among Nigerian practitioners is rather limited to architects’ usage for schematic design and presentation of drawings. The purpose of this study is to enhance BIM’s uptake, this study explores the drivers for the implementation of BIM within the Nigerian construction industry. Design/methodology/approach An interpretivist epistemological design was adapted to extensively manually review and search the literature on BIM implementation drivers. Based on 14 drivers for BIM implementation drivers identified, a survey questionnaire was used to collect data from the Nigerian construction practitioners. The data obtained is then subjected to descriptive, inferential statistics and multivariate techniques such as factor analysis. Findings The study, through factor analysis, categorized the 14 drivers to BIM implementation into four principal factors. The factors are construction related-drivers; process digitalization and economic-related drivers; sustainability and efficiency-related drivers; and visualization and productivity-related drivers. Practical implications To effectively adopt BIM in the construction industry, it is necessary to identify the BIM implementing drivers, which can act as catalysts of change and, thus leading to sustained adoption of BIM. Therefore, the identified drivers and categorization of principal factors could provide managerial implications for better execution and adoption of BIM, as well as the creation of the required change for the BIM implementation. Originality/value The research provides insights into the implementation drivers of BIM in lesser studies in a developing country such as Nigeria. The study further contributes to this research sphere by using factor analysis to customize and contextualize the drivers that were previously identified.

How does hotel design contribute to property performance?

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 919-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Marie V. Zemke ◽  
Carola Raab ◽  
Kaiyang Wu
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Social Integration ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Measurement Instrument ◽  
Hedonic Pricing ◽  
Design Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hotel Design ◽  
Daily Rate ◽  
Service Brands

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test the relationships between a hotel’s design quality and the property’s business performance. Design/methodology/approach Hotel guests’ assessments of the design quality of hotels that they recently visited are tested using the design quality indicator (DQI). Business performance is measured using indexed values for each property’s occupancy, average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR). The data are analyzed using exploratory factor analysis and a variation of a hedonic pricing model. Findings Factor analysis reduced the DQI instrument to 19 measurement items. Factors that measure navigability and signage positively impact occupancy index. Factors that measure flexible space usage negatively impact the RevPAR and ADR indices. Factors that reflect aesthetic constructs, including Urban & Social Integration and Character & Form, positively impact the RevPAR and ADR indices. Research limitations/implications The study examines a nationwide sample of guests from two full-service brands of a single multi-brand hotel company. The study provides a parsimonious, validated design measurement instrument and a revised hedonic pricing analysis. Practical implications Hoteliers can use this technique to assist with resource allocation decisions. Aesthetic elements, including the building’s Urban & Social Integration with its surroundings and its Character & Form, lead to higher ADR and RevPAR performance. Managers should ensure a coherent layout and good signage program to drive occupancy. Originality/value This study offers a technique to measure design quality and a new method of performing a hedonic pricing analysis.

Management and environmental sustainability – guidelines for architectural and engineering design firms

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalia de Paula ◽  
Silvio Melhado
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Management Development ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Monitoring And Control ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Design Firms

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to draw up management guidelines on environmental sustainability for architectural and engineering design firms.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is derived from a research experience between 2010 and 2018. That experience comes from three source sets: Management Development Program for Design Firms from the Research Line of Management Design, Department of Civil Construction Engineering, University of São Paulo in Brazil; papers including a doctoral thesis; and literature review. Revisiting and investigating processes were conducted by research questions, resulting in lessons learned, management difficulties and guidelines.FindingsThe guidelines were drawn up from a strategic sphere, understanding internal and external factors to the firm, diagnosis of the firm's management and sustainability, a building sustainability plan, implications of the plan for management processes, plan monitoring and control and plan evaluation.Research limitations/implicationsThe studies were mostly conducted in Brazil, and one of them in the USA. Other studies could be carried out in other countries comparing findings or implementing the guidelines.Practical implicationsThe findings will provide feedback to Management Development Program for Design Firms (PDGEP) in the action research method. Moreover, the knowledge about firm's capabilities can advance understanding of architectural and engineering (AE) design firm management as support for sustainability, performance and building information modeling (BIM).Originality/valueArchitectural and engineering design firms are hardly discussed; design is treated in the building project context, giving prominence to technical solutions, not to management ones.

Service quality for architects: scale development and validation

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 670-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anand Prakash ◽  
Milind Phadtare
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Item Analysis ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Quality Factors ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Design Quality ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and explain an empirically validated scale to measure service quality for architects in India. Design/methodology/approach This study applies a systematic procedure for development of a psychometric scale in three phases. Phase 1 includes item generation and selection through review of literature and expert opinion. Phase 2 comprises scale refinement using item analysis and exploratory factor analysis. Phase 3 applies confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for establishing convergent, discriminant and nomological validity. This study has involved 15 expert participants in Phase 1 and sought participation from 250 respondents using an online questionnaire in two other independent phases. Findings The findings of the empirical study resulted in the development of a 22-item scale that measures the constructs such as design quality, project administration quality, communication quality, relationship quality and dependability quality. Research limitations/implications This study has developed a context-specific psychometric scale of service quality for architects in India using snowball sampling. Although this study identified five valid service quality factors, the classified information relating to the formation of expectations was not collected. Practical implications This reliable and valid scale would be helpful for architects to measure the level of service quality in enhancing business performance. This study has established that service quality for architects is achieved only when the perceived benefits are available from the aspects like design, project administration, communication, relationship and dependability. Social implications This study can facilitate an architect interested in opportunities relating to contracting, consulting and engineering to explore possibilities of higher fees from clients. Originality/value This study is an original attempt in developing a validated tool to measure service quality of architects in India.

Early-stage cost estimation model for power generation project with limited historical data

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Gang Lee ◽  
Hyun-Soo Lee ◽  
Moonseo Park ◽  
JoonOh Seo
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Ensemble Modeling ◽  
Cost Estimating ◽  
Cost Estimates ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Project Data

PurposeReliable conceptual cost estimation of large-scale construction projects is critical for successful project planning and execution. For addressing the limited data availability in conceptual cost estimation, this study proposes an enhanced ANN-based cost estimating model that incorporates artificial neural networks, ensemble modeling and a factor analysis approach.Design/methodology/approachIn the ANN-based conceptual cost estimating model, the ensemble modeling component enhances training, and thus, improves its predictive accuracy and stability when project data quantity is low; and the factor analysis component finds the optimal input for an estimating model, rendering explanations of project data more descriptive.FindingsOn the basis of the results of experiments, it can be concluded that ensemble modeling and FAMD (Factor Analysis of Mixed Data) are both conjointly capable of improving the accuracy of conceptual cost estimates. The ANN model version combining bootstrap aggregation and FAMD improved estimation accuracy and reliability despite these very low project sample sizes.Research limitations/implicationsThe generalizability of the findings is hard to justify since it is difficult to collect cost data of construction projects comprehensively. But this difficulty means that our proposed approaches and findings can provide more accurate and stable conceptual cost forecasting in the early stages of project development.Originality/valueFrom the perspective of this research, previous uses of past-project data can be deemed to have underutilized that information, and this study has highlighted that — even when limited in quantity — past-project data can and should be utilized effectively in the generation of conceptual cost estimates.

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