With the advancement of BIM technology, its potential has become evident, and many companies are eager to adopt it. However, in many cases, the costs outweigh the benefits, leading to wasted human and financial resources. So, how can construction companies effectively promote the use of BIM? What strategies should they adopt? Today, I will explain from an expert’s perspective.
First: Demand is King — Everything begins with needs.
Instead of chasing after every feature of BIM software, it’s essential to let BIM serve the specific needs of your company. In other words, even without BIM, what are the core requirements of our construction business? These can be categorized into different levels, such as enterprise-level and project-level needs. Enterprise-level needs typically include financial management, bidding and procurement management, cost and contract management, and so forth. Project-level needs tend to focus on project progress, quality, cost control, safety, and similar aspects.
By clearly identifying these needs upfront, you’ll have a solid foundation when promoting BIM or any other information system. The entire process should revolve around meeting actual requirements, avoiding the trap of software omnipotence—where you end up unsure about what you really want to achieve after getting lost in the software’s vast capabilities.
Second: Rational Planning — Step by step, layered, and progressive.
Looking at many successful BIM implementations, construction companies must adopt a gradual and phased approach. From the enterprise perspective, demands exist at both the enterprise and project levels. Project-level demands include technical needs, such as 3D visualization and pipeline clash detection, as well as project management needs like cost contracts and construction scheduling.
Therefore, companies should carefully plan the steps and layers of BIM implementation to avoid rushing into it. Since BIM is still an evolving technology rather than a well-established standard, initial planning should focus on functional applications that solve immediate productivity challenges. For example, using 3D models to guide on-site construction can significantly improve efficiency by reducing reliance on searching through 2D drawings.
As users become proficient in each function, BIM will gradually influence management thinking and work behaviors. This transformation takes time and cannot be rushed. The initial change BIM brings is in mindset—shifting from traditional methods to digital workflows—which may require a long adaptation period.
With each implemented function, the BIM data model becomes richer, and work methods evolve accordingly. Gradually, this leads to project-level management applications. Once a solid foundation is established at the project management level, integrating BIM-based project management with enterprise-level ERP systems becomes inevitable and is a natural progression.
Third: Solidify Application — Assign roles, and iterate continuously.
Construction companies adopt BIM for various reasons: some to win bids, others for internal development, aiming to cultivate BIM as a core competitive advantage for the future. Due to differing requirements, the depth of BIM usage varies. Most companies still aim to establish their own BIM implementation teams—not necessarily experts in design or modeling, but proficient in operating fundamental application points.
Focus closely on the identified requirements, select the appropriate software systems, define the implementation path and operational methods, and clarify the expected outcomes and deliverables. Based on this, develop operational manuals for each application point.
To achieve this, follow these five steps:
- Identify and categorize requirements by levels and phases;
- Establish two-way communication and align software with needs;
- Confirm the match between requirements and software, and finalize the implementation path and deliverables;
- Develop detailed user manuals that include: a description of the business process (what to do), applicable roles (who uses it), the BIM software implementation plan (how it is done), flowcharts, and screenshots of software operation;
- Conduct manual reviews, training sessions, and daily application assessments.
In summary, construction companies must keep two key points in mind when promoting BIM adoption: first, do not overestimate the current foundation and status of BIM application; second, do not underestimate the rapid pace of BIM development. Whether you are a construction company or another stakeholder involved in project execution, it is crucial to maintain a rational perspective on BIM’s evolution. The future of BIM is promising, but the path ahead is complex and requires careful navigation.
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