Overcoming barriers that hinders the adoption and implementation of building information modelling in the South African construction industry

Abstract: Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a concept that has been defined as a technology that digitally constructs an accurate virtual model of a building. BIM can be defined as an IT enabled approach that involves the application and maintenance of a fundamental digital representation of a building and all its information throughout the different stages of the project. This study assesses the ways to overcome the barriers hindering the adoption and implementation of BIM in the South African construction industry. The data used in this paper were derived from primary and secondary sources. The primary data tool (questionnaires), was designed based on the related literature that were reviewed. The questionnaire was distributed to construction professionals in the South Africa construction industry, facility managers, and academics who have are scholars on BIM in the South African construction industry. The questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistical procedures. The findings revealed that a lack of skills, education, and knowledge of BIM are the biggest barriers to the adaptation and implementation of BIM in South Africa. Furthermore, the results also show that educational and skill development initiatives are widely considered to being the answer to the existing barriers to BIM adoption. Lastly, the study makes some recommendation on feasible ways of moving away from the common practice of construction process and to the adoption of BIM on construction projects in South Africa