Contractors' Transformation Strategies for Adopting Building Information Modeling

Abstract

The construction industry is beginning to utilize building information modeling (BIM), benefiting from the improved visualization and productivity, better coordination of construction drawings, building documents that contain embedded links to virtual information, faster delivery, and lower costs. However, construction companies often find it challenging to reorganize their company's organizational structure to take full advantage of these benefits of BIM adoption and implementation. This study explores contractors' transformation strategies that will enable them to successfully adopt and implement BIM for major construction projects. In-depth case studies from large contractors capture the benefits of BIM implementation, the appropriate organizational structure, the training and education program, the cost related to BIM implementation, including software and hardware investment, the relationship with other stakeholders, and the future recommendations to implement BIM for their construction projects. This study provides an overall framework and organizational transformation strategies for contractors trying to adopt BIM to maximize the potential benefits achieved in their projects and organizations. (C) 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.