The Business Value of BIM for Construction in Major GLobal Markets: How contractors around the world are driving innovation with Building Information Modeling

Abstract

Change is sweeping the globe. Project teams are benefiting from faster communications, smaller, more powerful and mobile computers, robust digital modeling tools and a transformative shift toward integrated project delivery processes, all of which are generating positive outcomes, efficiencies and benefits unimaginable just a few years ago. Since 2007, McGraw Hill Construction has been closely tracking the business impacts of these technology advances through its SmartMarket Report series, with a particular focus on how Building Information Modeling (BIM) is transforming the design and construction process in Asia, North America and Western Europe. During that period, construction companies have emerged as the leading drivers of BIM innovation and value. This report analyzes new survey data collected exclusively from construction companies that use BIM in nine of the world’s top construction markets to improve productivity, efficiency, quality, safety and their own competitiveness. Among the key findings: ■ Three quarters of the construction companies report a positive Return on Investment (ROI) on their BIM program investment and have clear ideas about how to further improve ROI. ■ Fewer errors and omissions, less rework and lower construction costs are among the top five BIM benefits cited by contractors. ■ Over the next two years, contractors expect the percentage of their work that involves BIM will increase by 50% on average. ■ BIM ROI increases directly with a contractor’s level of BIM engagement, represented by its BIM experience, skill level and commitment to doing a high percentage of its work in BIM. ■ Contractors in all markets are planning significant investments to expand their BIM programs over the next two years, including an increasing focus on internal and external collaborative procedures as well as mobile hardware and BIM software. Although BIM implementation has been underway for many years in Canada, France, Germany, UK and the US, the markets that have begun adopting more recently, such as Australia, Brazil, Japan, Korea and New Zealand, are showing tremendous momentum and are outperforming the more established regions in several key categories of the research, such as ROI, commitment to investment, offering innovative new services and expanding the use of BIM to non-building projects like mining and manufacturing. This is an exciting time in the global construction industry, and BIM is accelerating the pace of positive change for contractors of all types, sizes and locations. We would like to thank our partners for their support that allows us to continue to bring this exciting information to the industry.