Structuring the adoption and implementation of BIM and integrated approaches to project delivery across the Canadian AECO industry : key drivers from abroad

The architecture, engineering, construction and owners (AECO) industry plays a vital role in a country’s economy, and has a great impact on its society and on the local and global environment. Focussing on the performance and the impact of their respective AECO industries, government bodies around the world are increasingly pushing to transform current practices to maximise the value generated by this industry. Recent innovative approaches, notably building information modeling (BIM), integrated approaches (either integrated project delivery (IPD) or integrated design processes (IDP)) and Lean construction, show promise in providing many improvements. However, many challenges and obstacles are hindering the deployment of these approaches; a lack of strong client demand chiefly among them. In response to this, many countries have developed strategies to encourage and accelerate the pace of adoption of these innovative approaches. This often is prompted by requirements for suppliers to implement one or more of these innovations on all their publicly procured projects. The various levels of governments in Canada however have yet to follow suit in this regard. As a consequence, the Canadian AECO industry is seen to be lagging in its adoption of BIM and integrated approaches to project delivery. While certain projects have emerged as beacons of enlightened practice in the Canadian context, it remains that the vast majority of projects are still being delivered in a traditional fashion, with the well-known limitations this entails. This paper investigates the contextual challenges in adoption and implementation of BIM and integrated approaches in the Canadian AECO industry. The objective is to identify challenges and opportunities to create favourable context that ensures that the Canadian AECO industry remain competitive in the face of increasing global competition by leveraging the potential significant benefits of these innovative approaches. This paper is based on a review of the literature of various initiatives around the world. The paper lays out six key factors, which are seen as drivers for the adoption and implementation of BIM and integrated approaches in other countries, and discusses their implication in the Canadian context. Notably, the need for a national policy that structures the adoption and implementation BIM and integrated approaches; the need for leadership from the public sector; the importance of constituent organizations acting as a voice for industry; and the need for investments in research and development.Non UBCUnreviewedFacultyOthe