The introduction and adoption of BIM technology in China are relatively recent, resulting in many project stakeholders having limited understanding of its capabilities. Additionally, property owners seldom request the use of BIM in construction projects, which hinders the widespread promotion and implementation of this technology across the country.
When defining the business scope of BIM, it is essential to clarify during contract negotiations whether the owner requires the use of BIM technology. In some cases, owners have limited or no knowledge of BIM but may still express interest in adopting BIM design services when consulting with technical experts. This scenario highlights a critical challenge for China: raising awareness and understanding of BIM so that its design services are properly recognized and valued.
The primary outcomes of BIM design are accurate modeling and detailed drawing outputs. BIM consulting services focus on providing information from the BIM design models, aiming to improve collaboration during the early construction phases and later during facility operation and maintenance.
In the early stages of BIM adoption, some owners did request BIM technology for their construction projects, asking architectural design firms to implement it. Such demand naturally called for corresponding technical expertise and experience. However, since BIM is still in its infancy in China, many technical professionals lack sufficient experience, and the allocation of human resources, software, and hardware within design teams remains a limiting factor. Consequently, it has been challenging to deliver BIM results that meet owners’ expectations.
Beyond challenges related to BIM’s business scope, there are issues with its specific application in design. BIM design often does not employ 3D modeling for every aspect of the project, and it cannot fully represent all building section details. Nonetheless, any construction drawing must contain complete information. This gap largely stems from a lack of clear guidance for BIM designers regarding the scope and depth of BIM implementation. Without such direction, projects risk increased design costs, extended construction timelines, and unnecessary waste.
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