Since 2011, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development has been actively supporting policies to promote the adoption and industrialization of information technology within construction enterprises. Both the Ministry and the housing and construction departments across various provinces have issued directives encouraging the widespread use of BIM technology in the construction industry. Despite these efforts, BIM technology has yet to gain broad acceptance and application. After analyzing current BIM implementation policies, several key challenges have been identified:
(1) Implementation Focuses More on Form Than Substance
The national promotion of BIM technology remains overly broad, lacking unified technical standards for its application and scope. During its popularization, technical managers within enterprises often interpret BIM based on their own perspectives, preventing the establishment of standardized technical criteria. Furthermore, there are currently no clear legal regulations governing BIM usage, which further hinders consistent adoption.
(2) High Costs Limit BIM Adoption
BIM software demands significantly higher computer performance compared to standard software. In practice, large design institutes primarily use BIM during the project design phase, while companies such as China Construction Group and China Railway Group employ it during construction. For project operation and maintenance, local government-affiliated enterprises typically take charge. Most BIM users are central or state-owned enterprises, as the high costs involved make it challenging for general construction companies to adopt this emerging technology, especially amid skepticism about its practical benefits.
(3) A Steep Learning Curve for BIM Technology
While BIM software shares some conceptual similarities with traditional CAD programs, there are notable differences in operation and workflow. Older engineers in general construction firms often find it difficult and time-consuming to relearn modeling techniques, resulting in slow acceptance and prolonged implementation periods in practice.
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