Building information modelling: implications for the AEC industry

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an Information Technology (IT) enabled approach that allows storage, management, access, update and sharing of all building data through out the project life-cycle in the form of a data repository. The information produced and maintained in the BIM approach includes both geometIic and non-geometric data. Geometric data includes 2D drawings, 3D models as well as their dimensional and spatial relationships. Nongeometric data can mean annotations, reports, tables, charts, freehand illustrations, graphs, images, audio-visual data, and any other forms of information generated during the project. BIM is expected to enable improved inter-disciplinary collaboration across distributed teams, intelligent documentation and information retrieval, greater consistency in building data, better conflict detection and enhanced facilities management. The literature on BIM have shown that (1) BIM adoption in the AEC (architecture, engineering and construction) industry has been slow; (2) Functional capabilities and intelligence of design tools have increased manifold with the development of Object-oriented (0-0) modelling packages, and (1) Intelligence of 0-0 CAD (Computer-aided Design) tools, combined with the development of IT and web-based technologies can enhance design collaboration, integration and efficiency. A number of factors inhibiting BIM adoption have been reported such as traditional work practice, resistance to change, lack of business initiatives, and so on. Most of the earlier research has focussed on specific disciplines of the AEC industry and surveys or questionnaires have generally been used to collect data. This chapter reports on the findings of an action-oriented research that aims at developing strategies and measures for greater adoption of BIM, in the AEC industry. The findings reported in this chapter build on the earlier research on BlM by adopting Focus Group Interviews (FGls) as the research method for data collection. FGls differ from surveys and questionnaires because firstly, they provide a more in-depth understanding of the subject matters, and secondly, they also provide a forum for different AEC disciplines to share and clarify their views on various BIM adoption issues such as hurdles, requirements and expectations