Building Information Modeling and Integrated Project Delivery in the Commercial Construction Industry: A Conceptual Study

Abstract

In recent years, new technologies have emerged that promise to deliver efficiency, cost savings, and productivity increases to the commercial construction industry; building information modeling (BIM), and integrated project delivery (IPD) are such technologies. The literature is overwhelmingly positive with respect to the potential of BIM and/or IPD, in addition to Partnering – a less formal predecessor to IPD. This conceptual study is a critical review of the technologies, which identifies key benefits/deficiencies within the literature, synthesizes the information with comparative analysis, and conceptualizes a new framework for understanding the technologies and their interactions – the BIM/IPD Integration Model. A preliminary methodological concept for resolution of the problems uncovered is also put forth. Conclusions indicate that further study is needed to better understand the relationship between BIM and/or IPD adoption and project performance measures (e.g., cost, profit, ROI, schedule, safety, relationships, etc.) utilizing rigorous quantitative methods applied to actual project data.