Exploring the Barriers and Driving Factors in Implementing Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the Malaysian Construction Industry: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

In Malaysia, Building Information Modelling (BIM) has recently gained attraction from construction players and some of them have applied it to several projects. By utilising the BIM process, the construction players have the opportunity to plan, coordinate and design in an integrated approach. This is one of the many benefits that they could gain and resulting in increased productivity. Despite these benefits, the implementation of BIM in the Malaysian construction industry is still lagging behind Singapore, for instance. Thus, it warrants a study such as the present to determine what are the actual barriers that hamper its implementation and what are the driving factors that could enhance its pace of implementation in the Malaysian construction industry. In this study, a questionnaire survey based on Convenience Sampling Method was carried out to gather the possible barriers and driving factors for BIM implementation among the Malaysian construction players. Additionally, Relative Importance Indices (RII) were used to analyse the data obtained and to identify those barriers and driving factors for the implementation of BIM in this country. Consequently, results of this study revealed that the main barriers for implementing the BIM are: 1) Lack of knowledge about BIM, 2) Reluctance and/or no insistence shown by the Malaysian construction industry players (Clients, Contractors and Consultants alike) on the use or implementation of BIM. The driving factors, on the other hand, that could lead to the speeding up of the implementation of BIM are: 1) Support and enforcing the implementation of BIM by the Government, 2) promote BIM training program and 3) Initiatives of senior management of the related industry players. In conclusion, for successful wide spread application of BIM in Malaysia, a good push from the government alone is far from enough. All other construction industry players mentioned must assume their roles well in promoting the use of BIM in their construction projects.

Strategies for enhancing the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the construction industry

“…It should be included as one of the contract tender documentation's conditions [6]. Many countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Hong IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1205/1/012080 3 Kong, and Singapore, have made BIM mandatory for construction projects [31]. Also, any government contract worth RM 100 million or more in Malaysia must now be executed using BIM [32].…”

“…Few formal frameworks provide specific guidance on BIM implementation [33][34][35]. Because each company creates or develops its own set of standards or guidelines [35].…”

Enablers for the adoption and use of BIM in main contractor companies in the UK

“…Previous studies have reported that various factors influence the successful adoption and implementation of BIM. For instance, Arayici et al (2009) and Zahrizan et al (2013) identified the following critical enablers for the successful adoption of BIM in contractor and consulting firms respectively: educating and training staff about BIM hardware, software and process/ workflow changes; having efficient information management systems to facilitate effective collaboration and communication; and creating an organisational culture that embraces change. Ahuja et al (2018) in their study of how construction firms could better adopt BIM to achieve improved project outcomes, identified that the processes leading to a successful adoption ought to be engrained within an organisation's strategy, and emphasis on internal teams as well as external project-based activities with other firms.…”

“…Oludolapo et al, 2020;Sinoh et al, 2020;Chen et al, 2019;Chan et al, 2019). A few studies (e.g., Arayici et al, 2009;Zahrizan et al, 2013) pay attention to explaining how specific factors impact BIM adoption. Such contributions are relevant and welcome additions to the literature.…”

FRAGMENTED. Procurement for BIM

“…The documentation process has been found to have an impact on productivity levels within the project team, due to many complex buildings still being documented within '2D drawings, and thousands of manual documents' (referred to as 'traditional processes' within this thesis), even though new 3D practises have been introduced, assisting in the automation of construction drawings. As these traditional processes are still common practise on complex projects, miscommunication among design teams is heightened (in comparison to a complex project implementing 3D practises) due to the interdependencies on project's and conventional architecture practise (traditional processes) typically 'not being appropriate for these project's' (Crotty, 2012, Barati et al, 2013, Bin Zakaria et al, 2013, Ham et al, 2008, Arayici, 2008, Reddy, 2012, Clough et al, 2008.…”