The core of Building Information Modeling (BIM) lies in the continuous, accurate data representation throughout a building’s entire lifecycle, enabling efficient information transfer. Compared to the use of BIM technology in developed countries, China faces numerous challenges in BIM implementation. These difficulties mainly include the following:
First, the construction industry in China lacks a unified system. There are no nationwide standardized BIM application guidelines, and unclear divisions of responsibility create significant obstacles to BIM promotion. While some local standards exist, the country has yet to establish national BIM standards. As a result, different parties adopt their own “standards” regarding BIM model detail levels, delivery formats, and information coding, leading to confusion and inconsistency in BIM applications.
Second, effective information sharing remains a challenge. Traditional project management stages—such as development, project, and facility management—focus on individual goals, limiting information sharing to specific stages or local areas. This fragmented approach means issues often only arise during actual construction, prompting repeated communication and frequent design changes. Consequently, managing and controlling information flow between stages becomes difficult, leading to isolated “information islands.”
Third, there is a narrow understanding of BIM. Many perceive BIM as merely the creation of different models by various parties at separate stages, overlooking the lifecycle-wide nature of BIM. Models are often segmented by stage, lacking clear concepts on modeling methods, information depth, delivery formats, and design standards. This results in BIM models that are either overloaded with irrelevant data or missing essential global information for certain stages. For instance, many construction models are only used for clash detection. Others mistakenly equate BIM solely with software like Revit or Bentley. While these tools are central to BIM, the real value lies in the application of BIM models. A key aspect of BIM implementation is data interoperability—ensuring seamless information transfer across software platforms to support different project phases. Examples include using Xsteel for detailed steel structure design and GreenBuilding Studio for green building analysis.
Finally, there is a lack of collaborative design applications. Without a unified platform for information creation, exchange, and sharing, participants at various stages rely on their own specialized software, often failing to integrate knowledge and practical considerations from other stages. Errors or unrealistic information frequently go unnoticed until passed on to the next phase. Traditionally, design teams produce architectural and structural drawings, while construction teams build based on these drawings, with little feedback loop. On-site issues typically only reach designers after construction problems arise. This communication method causes delays, prolongs project timelines, and increases rework costs.
To address these challenges and enhance project management efficiency, building collaborative platforms has become essential. Many organizations, especially design firms, are actively developing such platforms to improve information exchange. However, these platforms usually cover only specific project stages and fail to connect information across different units and phases. Without improving BIM’s collaborative design application efficiency, fully realizing BIM technology’s benefits remains difficult.
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