BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING (BIM) COLLABORATION FRAMEWORK FOR MULTI-DISCIPLINARY PROJECTS

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a work process or concept model that encompasses a series of technologies that are revolutionizing design and construction. It provides automated tools and computerized solutions that deliver holistic visualization which has immense potential to enhance collaboration in fragmented construction industry. As the model is a central information catchment, it encourages collaboration between different parties to work together in developing a 3D virtual model. Nevertheless, optimal collaboration with BIM is not clearly defined and hence various obstacles and issues have surfaced. These aspects deserve discussion in detail and measures should be implemented to creation of more issues than solving current problems. This study focuses on various issues surrounding BIM collaboration in multidisciplinary projects involving Developer (owner), Architect, M&E Engineer, Structural Engineer, Quantity Surveyor and Main Contractor. It investigates the critical success factors in implementing BIM, at the same time incorporating different parties into the work process. Several data collection methods have been used, such as interviews, case study and a survey administered via a questionnaire. Next, the data collected was analyzed and the findings were discussed. Last but not least, two frameworks were proposed based on the findings from the data collection. The first framework aimed to tackle the implementation issues by stating the critical factors in BIM collaboration and the second framework is a work process model which shows the interaction between stakeholders in the different stages of the BIM implementation to increase total collaboration efficiency.