International Conference on Emerging Trends in Computer and Image Processing (ICETCIP'2014) Dec.

15-16, 2014 Pattaya (Thailand)

Building Information Modelling (BIM): Barriers

in Adoption and Implementation Strategies in
the South Africa Construction Industry
Kekana T.G., Aigbavboa C.O., and Thwala W.D.

 building information model which according to Azhar [1],

Abstract—This study identifies and evaluates the critical can be used throughout all the project stages to, and including
barriers to the adoption and implementation of BIM in construction, the operation and maintenance of the facility. When
and further relates the findings to the South African construction completed, the model of the building, which will be in 3D,
industry. The study also suggests ways of overcoming the identified will depict the exact dimensions of the building while
barriers to the full adoption and implementation of BIM in the South assisting the professional team with the required information
African construction industry. The study is conducted using existing
in terms of the design, procurement,
theoretical literature which includes published journals, books, and
conference papers. The study is mainly a research on the critical fabrication/manufacturing of materials and construction
barriers to the adoption and implementation of BIM within the activities of the building [3], and furthermore with the
South African construction industry. The study revealed that the maintenance of the facility post the construction.
major barriers to the adoption and implementation of BIM can be Over the last two decades, BIM has slowly been introduced
attributed to contractual issues such as licencing, insurance etc., and and eventually implemented in the construction industries of
personnel inadequacies in terms of education, training, and skills countries such as the United States of America and Australia,
development. Due to the population growth in South Africa, and most recently the United Kingdom. Ku and Taiebat [4]
infrastructure is needed to accommodate this growth and the needs have found that the BIM technology has been welcomed by
that arise from it. Having appropriate systems for the construction
professionals in these countries, and others, to reduce cost,
and management of these facilities is important for the well-being of
South African people, and the economy. This study shows the time, and enhance quality as well as environmental
advantages of incorporating BIM into modern day construction for sustainability.
all stake holders. The implementation of BIM largely depends on the
willingness of the South African construction industry’s
Keywords—Barriers to adaptation, Building Information stakeholders. The co-operation and investment of time and
modelling, construction projects. money into attaining the skills required to carry BIM fully
depends on stakeholders. Such investments and efforts will
I. INTRODUCTION not go to waste as BIM will induce a positive outcome for all

B UILDING Information Modeling is a concept that has

been defined by authors in many different ways. Azhar
[1] defines Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a
parties involved.
The most important aspect of BIM is that it allows the
design team as a whole, from the client right down to the
technology that digitally constructs an accurate virtual model suppliers, to collaborate better and work more accurately and
of a building, while Gu and London [2] defines BIM as a IT efficiently [1]. As a result of the nature of BIM, working
enabled approach that involves the application and relationships have become more solid and effective by virtue
maintenance of a fundamental digital representation of a of making it possible for stakeholders to update their portion
building and all its information throughout the different of work as soon as one of the stakeholders adds or eliminates
stages of the project. BIM produces a model known as the some information on the database. This is possible because
the whole virtual model of the building, as well as the
information of the project will be housed on the very same
Tshegofatso. Kekana is a BTech students with the Department of
Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, University of Johannesburg, database; this can also be known as a single project file [5].
Johannesburg, 2028 South Africa (corresponding author to provide phone:+27
(0) 11 559 6398; fax:+27 (0) 11 559 6630; e-mail: tgkekana26@gmail.com). II. BARRIERS TO THE ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF
Clinton. Aigbavboa is a Lecture with the Department of Construction
Management and Quantity Surveying, University of Johannesburg, BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING
Johannesburg, 2028 South Africa (corresponding author to provide phone:+27
(0) 11 559 6398 ; fax:+27 (0) 11 559 6630; e-
Although BIM is proving to be the answer to a lot of
mail:caigbavboa@uj.ac.za). construction related problems, it has also been widely noted
Wellington. Thwala is a Professor with the Department of Construction by authors such as Brewer et al. [6] and Ashcraft [7] that BIM
Management and Quantity Surveying, University of Johannesburg,
Johannesburg, 2028 South Africa (corresponding author to provide phone:+27 doesn’t come without its challenges. The fact BIM is a new
(0) 11 559 6048; fax:+27 (0) 11 559 6630; e-mail: didibhukut@uj.ac.za).

109
 International Conference on Emerging Trends in Computer and Image Processing (ICETCIP'2014) Dec. 15-16, 2014 Pattaya (Thailand)

phenomenon that aims to change the way established professionals plays a role in ensuring the smooth-running of
construction industries have conducted their practices, makes this part of the model.
it even harder to adopt and implement.
 Other barriers to the implementation of Building
From the literature that was reviewed, the researcher found Information Modeling
that there were two major issues which were turning out to
Ku and Taiebat [4] study did not concur with the work of
being barriers to the adoption and implementation of BIM in
Ashraf [7]; they had different view of which barriers affect
construction industries across the world. These barriers could
the adoption of BIM the most. These findings were conducted
be divided into two groups namely contractual issues as
when they distributed electronic surveys to companies who
explained by Ashcraft [7], and personnel issues as explained
were working with or have worked with BIM on their current
by Ku and Taiebat [4].
or previous projects. From the number of respondents that
Ashraf [7] have identified certain legal issues that that
they received, and observation was made that the levels of
stand in the way of the full adoption and implementation of
BIM in our modern society. These issues provide headaches experience in the field of BIM were low amongst most
with regards to who should be taking responsibility for which companies. Simultaneously, they found that most of the issues
parts of the model, as well as the distribution of risk amongst that prevent the full implementation of BIM in the
all the professionals within the project team. construction industry were the personnel elements of the
companies.
A. Some of the barriers to the implementation of BIM that
Due to the fact that most companies carry out the bulk of
were identified by Ashraf [7] include the following:
the BIM related work in house, the researcher has found that
 Standard of care of using BIM one of the biggest challenges faced by companies and
This looks at the inability of the professionals to identify professionals is a lack of skill [4]. Together with that, they
and rectify any physical conflicts (clash detection) that may have also identified issues such as lack of company
occur during the project life using BIM. The resulting investment in BIM, a reluctance to co-operate from other
consequences of such ‘negligence’ may include delays and professionals, lack of collaborative working processes, lack of
cost overruns due to reworks that will be required once legal agreements and interoperability, which looks at the
clashes are detected. capability of BIM being used or operated reciprocally.
 Design delegation and professional responsibility In the study of Ku and Taiebat [4], it was also identified
This clause looks to define and identify the roles and that other barriers contributing to the reluctance of the full
responsibilities of the parties involved in the project. The adoption and implementation of BIM include the
process between design, construct and ownership of the comprehension levels of BIM amongst professionals,
building normally puts the architect and/or engineer as the professionals’ collaboration capabilities as well as software
person with the most responsibility for the model. related.
Alternatively, a new position such as a BIM-modeler can be
created [6] to carry out the same responsibilities. III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
 Intellectual property The study is conducted using existing theoretical literature
which includes published journals, books, and conference
This refers to the challenges that will arise in terms of what
papers. The study is mainly a research on the barriers in
is the design and who owns it amongst others. Such problems
adoption, and implementation strategies of building
are only resolved by contractual agreements at the
information modelling.
commencement of the design process. Failure to do so may
lead to violations because the model holds the parts of the
IV. LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE LITERATURE
design.
Literature has revealed that the full adoption and
 Insurability implementation of BIM would be beneficial for the
This relates to who has rights in the model of the project at advancement of the South African construction industry.
hand. Hence the rights to the models have to be insured. However, literature has also revealed that this change will not
Insurance brokers involved in the construction industries are be one that comes with its own problems and barriers. These
yet to allow stable and assured policies with regards to these barriers have been identified as either being due to personnel
issues. issues (where the professionals are at fault for the stagnation
in the implementation of the BIM technology), or contractual
 Data translation
issues (where the gap in information has led to a lot of
This relates to the sharing/feeding and/or transferring of uncertainty with regards to things such as ownership,
information into the model. The appropriate interoperability insurance, etc.).
of the information is a fundamental aspect of BIM. The As a result of these barriers, the full adoption of BIM will
ability for different tools in the model to adequately send and remain a problem unless the barriers are addressed urgently.
receive information is of utmost importance. The ethics of the Furthermore, the construction stakeholders will need to

110
 International Conference on Emerging Trends in Computer and Image Processing (ICETCIP'2014) Dec. 15-16, 2014 Pattaya (Thailand)

devise ways of minimizing, if not eliminating, the identified

barriers.

V. CONCLUSION
This paper has examined literature relating to the barriers
to the adoption, and implementation strategies of BIM. The
literature has identified different barriers that exist to the full
adoption of BIM. Furthermore, the literature has divided the
barriers into categories to make them easier to identify, and
ultimately rectify.

REFERENCES
[1] S. Azhar, “Building Information Modelling (BIM): Trends, benefits, risks,
and challenges for AEC industry”, Leadership and Management in
Engineering, 2011, pp. 241-25.
[2] N. Gu, and K. London, “Understanding and facilitating BIM adoption in
the AEC industry”, Automation in Construction, 2010, 988-999
[3] C. M. Eastman., P. Teicholz., R. Sachs, and K. Liston, “BIM handbook: A
guide to building information modelling for owners, managers,
designers, engineers, and contractors”, Hoboken, N. J: Wiley
Publishing, 2008.
[4] K. Ku, and M. Taiebat, “BIM experiences and expectation: The
contractors’ perspective”, International Journal of Construction
Education and Research, 2011 7 (3), pp. 175-197
[5] T. K. Tse., K. A. Wong, and K. F. Wong, “The utilization of building
information models in nD modelling: A study of data interfacing and
adoption barriers”, ITcon. 2005, 10, pp. 85-110
[6] G. Brewer., T. Gajendran, and R. Le Goff, “Building Information
Modelling (BIM): Australian Perspectives and Adoption Trends”, Centre
for Interdisciplinary Built Environment Research (CIBER), 2012,
September.
[7] H. W. Ashraf, “Implementing BIM: A report from the field on the issues
and strategies”, Proceedings of the 47th annual meeting of invited
attorneys, Seattle, WA. 2008, pp. 53-84

111