Discover how to accelerate BIM adoption: A World Economic Forum (WEF) Review:
There is reducing doubt that BIM will be the future of construction. The recent WEF publication on how to accelerate BIM adoption on a global scale, further champions this construction process. Three key ways are captured; creating motivation for BIM adoption, enhancing collaboration on projects, and enabling all stakeholders. Let’s discuss the 1,2,3s of each, individually.
Motivation for BIM adoption
Despite there being literature evidence of the benefits of BIM, the motivation for its adoption has been lacking. Motivation has been slow because of the following.
1.Articulation of BIM benefits across the entire lifecycle
BIM is commonly known for the 3D modelling, thus used mostly in design and less in operations and management (O&M), even though O&M stands to gain the most. I have covered how BIM can be used in O&M in my previous article, BIM for the client. Governments ought to play a leading role in BIM for public assets, especially in O&M, to demonstrate its benefits. The use of BIM for facilities management (FM) creates a tech pull to other stakeholders during earlier stages such as strategy, design, and construction phase.
2.Thinking of BIM as a value creator, not a cost factor
This directly corresponds with my previous article; 7 things to know about BIM. There are limited BIM financial benefits sources because projects are uniquely different. Therefore, benchmarks are used to measure costs and benefits, ideally as anonymised data. The best way is to have pilot projects done separately to create transparent data. With enough data, companies can pool experience to develop industry standard return on investments (ROI). ROI in BIM is more than just cost reduction, it is a factor of improved quality, better project delivery and reduced risk.
3.Approach BIM as the essential step to infrastructure and urban development (IU) digitisation
Digital technologies in construction need BIM platforms, and slow adoption of BIM can impede digitisation of IU. BIM can be accelerated through research and development to improve interfaces. Government and industry partnerships are important to create standards and create digitised built environment.
Enhancing collaboration on projects
The construction industry is one of the most disintegrated fields or practice. One would think since all consultants and most stakeholders are working towards the same goal, there would be a decent level of collaboration. For BIM implementation, collaboration is required to prosper, through;
1.Integrated contracts and redefined risk-return
This entails the distribution of BIM costs and benefits more equitably. In a BIM project, alternative integrated contracts need to be used, for example, Design & Build (DB), Public Private Partnerships (PPP) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). These contracts cover all stakeholders therefore the BIM technology benefits the entire project, across different phases. This also bears the cost of adoption at the beginning.
2.Set up early collaboration and communication among stakeholders
In the built sector, there’s only self-focus. This has led the industry to have a highly disintegrated supply chain. There is a need to shift from the ‘self-focus’ mentality through: evaluation of corporate culture, organisation culture, and processes via formal mechanisms. This creates a harmonisation of procedures across jurisdictions.
3.Establish data sharing standards and open systems
There is a lot of data generated in a single construction project, seriously…it’s a lot! The problem is the inconsistency in generating this data, making it inefficient and rigid. For BIM to flourish, global conventions for data marketplaces on IP regulations are required, including global conventions for construction data generation and application. This allows for interoperability and efficiency.
Enable all stakeholders
This includes both on the client side and the infrastructure and urban development side. There is a need for all stakeholders to have a basic common understanding of what BIM entails. This can be achieved through;
1.Establishing BIM skills along full value-chain
Immediately someone says BIM, all eyes shift to the Architect in the room, why? BIM should include everyone from the client to the facilities managers. There is a need to increase BIM skills across board, in three ways. First, by hiring new talents. The education sector plays a role by incorporating BIM into general studies to increase the BIM talent pool in the market. Second is through upskilling, train the trainer initiatives, job rotations and even reverse mentorship (the young and intuitive teaching the more experienced). Third is simplifying BIM technology. Software integrated into the construction industry should promote easier user experiences, allowing for easier integration.
2.Changing behaviour and processes, not just the tech
The one thing, we ironically forget, is the human aspect of things. BIM without humans equals resistance! BIM adoption requires change management, and the toleration of mistakes associated with it. One of the key things in BIM is that information is to be shared in a consistent manner…shifting to this, requires change management.
3.Making long term commitments and support innovative funding
Like many other businesses, technologies and processes, BIM relies on network effect. It increases in value with increase in users. BIM adoption needs the assurance that BIM will last long. Therefore, the biggest champions of BIM should be governments and large clients, as they stand to gain the most. BIM is innovative, and should be viewed as such!
Check out the full report here, and learn more about the future of construction.
