A FRAMEWORK TO INVESTIGATE THE CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTING 5D BIM WITHIN A COMPANY - A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Purpose- As the construction industry increasingly adopts 5D BIM, solutions to implementation challenges have been introduced to the market. However, companies remain reluctant to adopt those solutions, leaving some of the challenges unsolved.

This report aims to make scientific contributions through proposing a research framework using a case study approach to identify the primary challenges of a company and provide recommendations to help authorities promote a nationwide adoption of 5D BIM in the country. Existing case studies have produced findings that are lacking in depth and breath due to the superficial and department centric assessment. Furthermore, few venture to understand the reasons existing solutions are not adopted to solve their problem. Lastly, despite the government’s capabilities to provide external support, these studies rarely describe how they can be involved. Hence, this illustrate the need for a case study framework that addresses these gaps.

The report will also illustrate the execution of the framework through a case study on one of Singapore's largest A1 contractor firms “Woh Hup (Private) Limited”. The findings can help identify challenges faced by Singapore contractors and inform recommendations to the BCA.

Research Method - The suggested research framework consists of 2 stages. In the first stage, literature review is conducted to identify the existing 5D BIM implementation challenges in the industry and interviews with the employees from the operational level will be conducted based on the list of challenges identified. Then, the responses are analysed to identify the applicable challenges. Then, another round of literature review will be conducted to research on the existing solutions in the market relevant to the challenges identified previously and interviews with the management level will be conducted. Lastly, the responses from the interviews are then analysed and compiled to make recommendations to BCA.

Research Limitation - This framework only involves interviewing the Quantity Surveyor (QS) and the BIM technical team as they are the two main users in the implementation process . The 5D BIM actually also involves many other stakeholders and they may have more challenges to share from their perspective. However, the intention of this research is to provide a quick view of the existing challenges within an organisation such that critical recommendations can be made.

Findings - The investigation on Woh Hup shows that their 5D BIM process is heavily influenced by the consultants/clients requirement as well as the QS willingness to adopt the new processes. Hence the recommendation made at the end of the framework focuses on developing these two areas.

Keyword: 5D BIM implementation, 5D BIM Challenges, Case Study Framework