BIM technology has emerged as a result of rapid advancements in modern science and the growing trend towards market standardization. Its development not only fosters standardization within the construction industry but also drives the sector’s high-quality growth. In China, the construction industry is a key pillar of the economy. With increasing demands for sustainable development and the influence of economic globalization, the nationwide introduction of BIM technology policies in 2020 has made its adoption inevitable.
Traditional engineering project models have gradually revealed their limitations and no longer meet the current industry’s needs. BIM technology offers powerful advantages that can address these shortcomings. The promotion and integration of BIM represent a necessary reform for the industry. However, if implemented by isolated teams or individuals, the process will encounter significant challenges. Therefore, strong government support is crucial for successful BIM adoption.
Compared to developed countries like the United States, China’s BIM technology development lags by more than a decade, and a comprehensive industry model has yet to be established. To accelerate the domestic industry’s growth and promote BIM technology across the construction sector, researchers and institutions must actively engage in advancing its application. Nonetheless, it is important to acknowledge the current challenges and issues, summarized as follows:
(1) Limitations of Traditional Workflows: Traditional working methods based on 2D CAD software have many drawbacks that BIM technology can address. However, these traditional workflows have evolved over years and remain widely used across the construction industry. Although design and construction projects are becoming more complex, they still often fit within these existing models. Designers can resolve current design challenges without exceeding their workload or costs, and the risks remain manageable. The heavy workload also leaves designers little time or energy to learn BIM, which hinders adoption. Additionally, the cost-control benefits of BIM in national construction projects lack comprehensive evaluation due to limited practical experience. As a result, many industry participants remain hesitant.
(2) Early Stage of BIM Adoption in China: BIM technology was initially introduced by Autodesk in the US before entering the Chinese market. Due to a lack of corresponding local technology, its adoption has been lukewarm. Only recently have studies improved understanding of BIM through successful applications in projects like Guangzhou Chow Tai Fook Financial Center and Suzhou Zhongnan Center. These projects have demonstrated BIM’s advantages and gained industry recognition. The demand for sustainable development underscores BIM’s value, and large-scale projects in China have accelerated its adoption. However, BIM’s conceptual promotion is outpacing actual implementation. There is a shortage of BIM software tailored to China’s specific needs, with no established standards. Currently, only foreign BIM software is available, which often fails to fully adapt to local conditions, leading to unresolved issues. Developing localized BIM software is essential but presents significant time and cost challenges for domestic construction companies.
(3) Lack of Comprehensive BIM Standards: Unlike the US, which has a mature and stable BIM standards system such as the IFC standard, China lacks a complete set of technical standards for BIM. There is also no unified system for storing and exchanging construction project data. Currently, BIM applications in China remain isolated projects without forming an integrated whole.
(4) Limited Experience and Investment: As BIM is an imported technology, construction, design, and engineering firms in China generally lack experience and consistency in its use. There is also insufficient capital investment dedicated to BIM adoption. This situation calls for increased government support to promote BIM technology throughout the construction industry. For instance, the national project “Research and Application of Key Technologies for Informationization in the Construction Industry,” initiated during China’s 11th Five-Year Plan, addresses challenges in BIM architectural design, construction standards, construction processes, post-project management, and related software development.
(5) Challenges in Technology Adoption: BIM represents a revolutionary shift from traditional construction models, involving significant changes in software and management. The technology transitions from 2D CAD drawings to 3D BIM modeling, and management shifts from flat drawings to dynamic, parameter-driven, real-time monitoring models. Construction, design, and engineering teams must undergo comprehensive changes in personnel management and software usage. Consequently, promoting BIM requires a long-term effort and cannot be fully realized quickly.
(6) High Software Costs: Formal BIM software is expensive, leading to a fragmented domestic market filled with incomplete and impractical BIM products at various price points. Early adoption demands substantial investments in both funds and manpower, with uncertain economic returns. This financial risk makes it difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises to commit large sums to BIM technology upfront.
(7) Unclear Roles and Responsibilities: BIM requires collaboration among all project participants, but the roles and responsibilities remain ambiguous. Questions arise around who should create the BIM models, who leads operations, who manages the database, how data is handled, dispute resolution, and overall accountability for the BIM model. Because BIM management spans the entire project lifecycle, clearly defining responsibilities is critical for smooth workflow. Government support, regulatory frameworks, and macro-level oversight are necessary, as relying solely on contracts and mutual agreements between parties is insufficient.
(8) Cost Management Challenges: Construction projects involve diverse cost factors. To leverage BIM for cost control, builders must adjust their management mindset and recognize that effective management methods can generate significant economic benefits. This requires serious commitment to learning and mastering BIM technology.
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