4th International Conference on Advances in Civil Engineering 2018 (ICACE 2018)

19 –21 December 2018

CUET, Chittagong, Bangladesh
www.cuet.ac.bd

FACTORS AFFECTING THE BIM ADOPTION IN THE

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY OF BANGLADESH

M. F. H. Rakib*, S. Howlader& M. Rahman

Department of Building Engineering and Construction Management, Khulna University of
Engineering & Technology, Khulna-9203, Bangladesh.

E-mail: mfhrakib78@gmail.com*;sujanhowlader96@gmail.com;mizanbecm@gmail.com

*Corresponding author

ABSTRACT
Building Information Modeling (BIM) empowers organizations in architecture, engineering and
construction (ace) industries to change a chain of technological improvements to improve the chain of
construction. Considerable effects through BIM execution might be accomplished all through all
phases of the development procedure. This exploration shows by means of 40 responses from an
example of BIM users that coordinated effort perspectives create the most elevated positive effect.
The paper quantifies BIM use throughout the project lifecycle, assuring BIM is largely used in the
design phases. BIM requires investment in software and training however, smaller practices can
manage the cost of it. Stakeholder’s contribution for BIM adoption is ranked concluding that project
managers contribute most to adopt BIM. The main reasons currently used for the BIM have been
identified and the results indicate a lack of training for existing non-BIM personal and efficiency of
BIM software. It will help Government agencies of Bangladesh government to properly plan to take
BIM in the life cycle of construction projects and support implementation.

Keywords: Building Information Modelling; BIM adoption; Key factors; Project Management;
Project life cycle.

INTRODUCTION
BIM (Building Information Modeling) is an intelligent 3D model-based process that gives
architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals the insight and tools to more
efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure. To simulate the planning,
design, construction and maintenance phases of a project it requires the development and use of a
computer-generated model(Azhar, 2011). UK Government thinks that its use brings many advantages
in the project(Eadie, Browne, Odeyinka, McKeown, & McNiff, 2013). BIM is much more than three-
dimensional (3D) perception or exchanging the electronic renditions of paper records. Through BIM
execution, risks are decreased, plan expectation is kept up, the construction is streamlined(Azhar,
2011; Goedert & Meadati, 2008; Nath, Attarzadeh, Tiong, Chidambaram, & Yu, 2015; Qian, 2012;
Tse, Wong, & Wong, 2005).BIM is an up and coming innovative apparatus through which digitized
data can be utilized keeping in mind the end goal to help enhancements in profitability and
accomplish successful and efficient administration for the duration of the existence cycle of a facility.
With the help of BIM, clients may assess possible conflicts ahead of time so as to accomplish best
construction (Azhar, 2011; Chien, Wu, & Huang, 2014; Nath et al., 2015; Qian, 2012). It is accounted
for that the wreath of BIM adoption in Singapore in years 2009, 2012, 2014 was 20%, 32%and 65%,
respectively (Qian, 2012). In a review directed in 2007, the use of BIM and IFC consistent BIM
applications in Finland was assessed to be 33% (Kiviniemi, Sulankivi, & Mäkelä, 2007). In a similar
overview, it was watched that in Finland, 93% of the designer firms were utilizing BIM for a few

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sections in their tasks though the architect's use was almost 60%. The usage of BIM in Denmark is
increasing. According to the survey which was done in 2006 (Kiviniemi, 2009), the most commonly
used BIM application among architects was Architectural Desktop with approximately 35% of the
firms using it. It also expressed that about 50% of the architects, 29% of clients and 40% of engineers
in Denmark were using BIM for several portions of their projects in 2006. In this research, Key
Factors will be the essential factors that significantly affect BIM adoption in Bangladesh's AEC
industry. In this investigation, the information were gathered through a survey-based overview
directed for construction firms in Bangladesh.

LITERATURE ANTICIPATING TO BIM

A. BIM application across the project lifecycle

This study explored the use of BIM at the different steps in the construction lifecycle and analyzing
the significance of the impacts in the application of BIM. For the objectives of this exploration, the
undertaking lifecycle is characterized as incorporating feasibility, design, construction, operation and
maintenance. Key literature characterizes the different steps utilizing BIM as feasibility (Azhar &
Brown, 2009; Cheung, Rihan, Tah, Duce, & Kurul, 2012), design (Azhar & Brown, 2009; Azhar,
Carlton, Olsen, & Ahmad, 2011), preconstruction (detail design and tender) (Azhar, 2011; Azhar et
al., 2011; Ibrahim, Krawczyk, & Schipporeit, 2004), construction (Azhar et al., 2011) and operation
and management (Ibrahim et al., 2004). BIM is referred to as being valuable and giving advantages at
these stages be that as it may, precluded from the literature is the recurrence of utilization by
associations at each phase of the project lifecycle.

B. Stakeholders contribution on BIM adoption

The viewpoint of the stakeholders with respect to BIM in the AEC area is essential since they achieve
direct benefits from its adoption. The BIM approach can exceptionally enhance the coordinated effort
among them conveying an additional incentive to their business. For sure, as per (Arayici et al., 2011)
the joint effort among stakeholders can increment authoritative limits which improve the execution of
the task administration amid the design and construction process. In any case, each stakeholder of
AEC division has their individual work process and demands, so their BIM offer is extraordinary. As
a rule, it changes in view of specialization of a stakeholder or phase of the building process (design,
building supply, construction, etc.). Different stakeholders concur on the basic issue of
interoperability between software that can upset the capacity to encounter an incentive from BIM.
Architects are the significant clients of BIM(Travaglini, Radujković, & Mancini, 2014)and they
encounter an abnormal state of significant worth additionally as far as Return-of-Investment (ROI).
Engineers like architects encounter high an incentive from BIM and in addition saw Return-of-
Investment (ROI).

C. Barriers for not using BIM

The barriers for not using BIM on some projects were observed. The following important barriers
were selected from study outlined below:
 Lack of expertise within the project team (Ku & Taiebat, 2011; Mayo, Giel, & Issa,
2012)
 Lack of client demand (Birkeland, 2009)
 Investment cost (Giel, Issa, & Olbina, 2009)
 Lack of additional project finance to support BIM (Bazjanac, 2006)
 Training in BIM software for using BIM (Christensen, McNamara, & O'Shea, 2007)

D. Key factors for BIM adoption

Key factors are the influence factors that are most imperative to the conduct of the framework and
most impact the prosperity of the procedure in the industry. Key factors are the influence factors that
successfully affect on decision making (Ogilvy & Schwartz, 1995). The following important key
factors were identified from literature outlined below:
 BIM Training for Existing Non-BIM Personal
 Efficiency of BIM Software

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  Initial Investment Cost
 Potential Benefits of BIM
 Organizations Financial Resources
 Facility Management
 Government Support
 Site Layout Planning and Site Safety
 Software and Hardware Upgrading and Maintenance Cost
 Prequalification of Team Member

METHODOLOGY
The questionnaire was planned from literature review and stakeholder’s interviews. An online/email-
based survey was used to collect data from respondents. The survey was conducted among the
construction stakeholders in Bangladesh, such as architects, engineers, main contractors as well as the
facility managers. The participants included have past involvement with CAD and are additionally
during the time spent relocating towards a BIM-based approach and using BIM instruments.

Define of the scope of study

Literature review and interaction with construction stakeholders

Questionnaire Design

Data Collection by Questionnaire Survey Method

Data Interpretation

Results and Conclusions

Fig.1: Methodology of the study

DATA ANALYSIS
Relative Importance Index (RII) was used for analysis of data. It helps to rank the factors from
collecting data.
RII is defined by the following formulae:
∑W
Relative Importance Index (RII) = AxN (0 ≤ index ≤ 1) (1)
Where, W is the weight given to each factor by the respondents and ranges from 1 to 5.
W ranges
1 = Least important
2 = Somewhat important
3 = Moderate
4 = Important
5=Very Important
A is the highest weight = 5.
N is the total number of respondents.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

BIM application across the project lifecycle
Table 1: BIM use during the construction stages

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 Use during the Rank Weight Rank Weight Rank Weight Rank Weight Rank Weight Total ∑W RII Rank
construction 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1
project stages
Design 18 90 13 52 3 9 3 6 3 3 40 160 0.8 1
Construction 9 45 20 80 5 15 3 6 3 3 40 149 0.745 2
Operation & 3 15 20 80 8 24 3 6 6 6 40 131 0.655 3
Maintenance
Preconstruction 6 30 17 68 3 9 4 8 10 10 40 135 0.625 4
Feasibility 0 0 22 88 1 3 6 12 11 11 40 114 0.57 5

The results in Table-1 indicates that BIM is most used in the design stage (RII 0.8), rank 1. The
second-place ranking of application across the project lifecycle of BIM is construction stage (RII
0.745). BIM is least used in the operation and maintenance stage as RII 0.655, rank 3. The
preconstruction stage is ranked 4 (RII 0.625). Feasibility stage is a potential area for future research to
adapt BIM software (RII 0.57), rank 5.

Barriers for not using BIM

Table-2: Ranking of barriers for not using BIM.
Reasons Rank Weight Rank Weight Rank Weight Rank Weight Rank Weight Total ∑W RII Rank
for not 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1
using BIM
Training in 17 85 15 60 8 24 0 0 0 0 40 169 0.845 1
BIM
software
Expertise 6 30 31 124 3 9 0 0 0 0 40 163 0.815 2
with the
project
team
Investment 3 15 15 60 16 48 3 6 3 3 40 132 0.66 3
cost
Client 3 15 12 48 21 63 0 0 4 4 40 130 0.65 4
demand
Additional 0 0 21 84 7 21 3 6 9 9 40 140 0.60 5
project
finance

Table-2 indicates that the top two barriers for not using BIM are “Training in BIM software” (RII,
0.845) and “Lack of expertise within the project team” (RII, 0.815). BIM has some lack of adoption
and it can be filled by potential education and essential training. Investment cost as a reason for not
using BIM was ranked third (RII, 0.66). Client demand was less important in the construction and
ranked fourth (RII, 0.65). The RII value given to “additional project finance” (0.60) indicates that
finance is less needed for BIM adoption on the project.

Stakeholder’s contribution in BIM

Table-3: Ranking of Stakeholder’s contribution in BIM
Stakeholder’s Rank Weight Rank Weight Rank Weight Rank Weight Rank Weight Total ∑W RII Rank
5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1
Project 9 45 25 100 6 18 0 0 0 0 40 163 0.815 1
Managers
Consultants 8 40 17 68 9 27 3 6 3 3 40 144 0.72 2
Main 11 55 12 48 11 33 0 0 6 6 40 142 0.71 3
Contractors
Clients 3 15 17 68 11 33 6 12 3 3 40 131 0.655 4
Sub- 6 30 10 40 17 51 0 0 7 7 40 128 0.64 5
Contractors
Suppliers 6 30 3 12 17 51 8 16 6 6 40 115 0.575 6

Table-3 indicates that the top two stakeholder’s contributions in BIM on projects are “Project
Managers” (RII, 0.815) and “Consultants” (RII, 0.72). Project managers contribute most to adopt BIM
on projects. Client’s contributions to adopt BIM on projects are less important (RII, 0.655). The RII
value given to “Suppliers” (0.575) indicates that suppliers are not important for BIM adoption on
projects.

Identify key factors for BIM adoption

Table-4: Key Factors for BIM adoption:

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 Key factors Rank Weight Rank Weight Rank Weight Rank Weight Rank Weight Total ∑W RII Rank
5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1
BIM Training 9 45 13 52 18 54 0 0 0 0 40 151 0.755 1
for Existing
Non-BIM
Personal
Efficiency of 4 20 25 100 8 24 3 6 0 0 40 150 0.75 2
BIM Software
Initial 3 15 21 84 16 48 0 0 0 0 40 147 0.735 3
Investment
Cost
Potential 0 0 26 104 14 42 0 0 0 0 40 146 0.73 4
Benefits of
BIM
Organizations 3 15 24 96 5 15 8 16 0 0 40 142 0.71 5
Financial
Resources
Facility 0 0 24 96 13 39 0 0 3 3 40 138 0.69 6
Management
Government 12 60 9 36 6 18 10 20 3 3 40 137 0.685 7
Support
Site Layout 6 30 9 36 19 57 1 2 5 5 40 130 0.65 8
Planning and
Site Safety
Software and 0 0 21 84 13 39 0 0 6 6 40 129 0.645 9
Hardware
Upgrading and
Maintenance
Cost
Prequalification 0 0 18 72 14 42 5 10 3 3 40 127 0.635 10
of Team
Member

The results in Table-4 shows that the top three key factors for BIM adoption are “BIM Training for
Existing Non-BIM Personal” (RII, 0,755), “Efficiency of BIM Software” (RII, 0.750) and “Initial
Investment Cost” (RII, 0.735). Organizations financial resources (RII, 0.71) are less important as a
key factor for BIM adoption. The RII value given to “Prequalification of Team Member” (0.60)
indicates that prequalification is less needed for BIM adoption on the project.

CONCLUSSION
The output of this research revealed that BIM has been widely used in the design and construction
stages while rarely used in the operation and management stage, which is stood ranked third. BIM is
little used in the pre-construction phases (ranked fourth). Moreover, the study has been incorporated
the level of stakeholder’s contribution in projects. From the survey results, it has been found that top
two stakeholder’s contributions in BIM adoption on current projects are “Project Managers” and
“Consultants” which is stood rank respectively. On the other hand, Client’s contributions to adopt
BIM on projects are less important in the construction industry in Bangladesh.
From the survey results it also been identified some influencing factors that affecting BIM adoption
and execution in Bangladesh’s AEC industry and the most influencing factors for all phases are
identified as follows: BIM training for existing non-BIM personal, efficiency of BIM software and
initial investment cost.
Finally, it can be recommended that new course modules associated with Building Information
Modeling (BIM) could be incorporated in undergraduate and postgraduate students that will assist to
create more BIM expert in the future. Bangladesh Government as well as private firms should take
some necessary steps such as increase awareness, training and education to BIM to improve the BIM
adoption in the construction industry.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank who participated in questionnaire survey.

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