Source: Research on the Construction Industry
Construction Enterprises
BIM is widely adopted by construction companies, with implementation often beginning before the installation of mechanical and electrical pipelines—especially through the use of BIM completion models. The primary function of BIM for construction teams is to address pipeline installation challenges using MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) tools. While 4D simulation and decoration planning are also utilized, they are not considered essential for construction units.
In practice, engineering projects inevitably encounter some losses, and certain losses cannot be avoided. However, construction units tend to avoid quantity calculation software like Guanglian Da, as these tools are not well suited to their needs.
Design Institutes
For design institutes, BIM is often seen as less practical due to usage habits and a less favorable input-output ratio. Some institutes, such as the Northwest Institute, do use BIM primarily to verify design accuracy and reduce rework. However, most still rely on software like SketchUp (SU) and CAD for their work. Even for tasks like energy consumption and lighting analysis, many prefer to import data from SU into dedicated analysis software.
Owners
Many property owners place high importance on BIM, yet most lack a clear strategy for its application. Take Vanke as an example: they actively promote BIM (their BIM center’s logo was designed by our team) to standardize construction processes and ensure consistent control regardless of professional expertise. Despite partnerships with companies like Germany’s RIB, they still lack a concrete plan on how to leverage BIM across procurement, design, construction, and contract management.
Vanke’s situation reflects the current immature state of BIM adoption among owners. However, there are mature implementations, such as the China Zun project, which will be discussed later.
Consulting Units
Consulting firms that use BIM typically fall into two categories: BIM consulting companies (such as RIB) and cost consulting firms. For BIM consultants, BIM is central to their business. Cost consulting companies increasingly employ BIM, especially in prefabricated assembly, because it offers intuitive insights and can help reduce workload. Despite some software limitations, BIM still aids cost consultants by enabling modifications when issues arise.
The future trend after BIM is not EPC, DB, or DBB, but the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model.
So, what is IPD? Simply put, before construction begins, the owner assembles the design team, construction team, material suppliers, supervision team, and other stakeholders to create a comprehensive BIM completion model. This model represents the final product—what you see is what you get. All parties then use this model as the blueprint to carry out their work.
In this approach, there is no need to return to the design institute for drawing modifications during construction, and material suppliers cannot make arbitrary changes to materials or schemes. Although the upfront effort and time investment are significant, once construction starts, the model minimizes wasted labor, materials, money, and time caused by plan changes. Ultimately, this leads to substantial time and cost savings.
The IPD model has been widely adopted in developed countries like Japan, the United States, and Australia. Adoption in Europe has been slower, and domestically, there is still significant progress to be made.
BIM Requires Strong Leadership
For BIM to deliver its intended benefits—such as cost savings, schedule improvements, and easier management—a strong project leader is essential. Why? Because for most construction units and subcontractors, scheme changes are a key source of revenue. One of BIM’s most important values is to reduce these changes.
An excellent example is the China Zun Project, often considered the pinnacle of BIM application in China. Its success is largely attributed to its owners, especially Luo Nengjun, who had a deep understanding of BIM. They achieved impressive results in pipeline clash detection, energy consumption analysis, construction simulation (their work is a classic case study), intelligent ventilation, and more. Design institutes are expected to increasingly use BIM for these areas in the future.
2. Conflicts of Interest and Usage Habits
As mentioned, many construction units and subcontractors rely on scheme changes for profit, so BIM’s emphasis on avoiding changes can create conflicts. Regarding usage habits, while older designers and engineers may initially resist BIM, my experience with BIM projects shows that most eventually prefer it. Therefore, I am confident BIM will ultimately transform workflows.
3. Shortage of BIM Talent
A BIM professional is not just someone who can operate software, but someone who understands BIM concepts deeply. Software is a tool; the core lies in professional knowledge and management skills, which take time to develop and integrate. However, I am optimistic because, as industry practitioners improve their skills and new talent enters the field, digitalization is an inevitable trend.
4. Insufficient Understanding of BIM
Common misconceptions reduce BIM to mere software, virtual visualization, or a simple model. In the international research community, BIM encompasses much more, including construction robots, 3D-printed buildings, the Internet of Things, and beyond. Fundamentally, BIM is about building digital information systems that extend across all aspects of construction.
In essence, BIM is a methodology for applying information technology to construction activities. Most importantly, BIM represents a mindset—a new way of analyzing problems and viewing the world.
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up