Exploring the barriers and driving factors in implementing building information modelling (BIM) in the Malaysian construction industry : a preliminary study

In Malaysia, Building Information Modelling (BIM) has recently gained attraction from construction players andsome of them have applied it to several projects. By utilising the BIM process, the construction players have theopportunity to plan, coordinate and design in an integrated approach. This is one of the many benefits that they couldgain and resulting in increased productivity. Despite these benefits, the implementation of BIM in the Malaysianconstruction industry is still lagging behind Singapore, for instance. Thus, it warrants a study such as the present todetermine what are the actual barriers that hamper its implementation and what are the driving factors that couldenhance its pace of implementation in the Malaysian construction industry. In this study, a questionnaire surveybased on Convenience Sampling Method was carried out to gather the possible barriers and driving factors forBIM implementation among the Malaysian construction players. Additionally, Relative Importance Indices (RII)were used to analyse the data obtained and to identify those barriers and driving factors for the implementation ofBIM in this country. Consequently, results of this study revealed that the main barriers for implementing the BIMare: 1) Lack of knowledge about BIM, 2) Reluctance and/or no insistence shown by the Malaysian constructionindustry players (Clients, Contractors and Consultants alike) on the use or implementation of BIM. The drivingfactors, on the other hand, that could lead to the speeding up of the implementation of BIM are: 1) Support andenforcing the implementation of BIM by the Government, 2) promote BIM training program and 3) Initiatives ofsenior management of the related industry players. In conclusion, for successful wide spread application of BIMin Malaysia, a good push from the government alone is far from enough. All other construction industry playersmentioned must assume their roles well in promoting the use of BIM in their construction projects