Chapter 13: Drivers and Barriers to the Adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) By Construction Firms in South Africa
It remains a global challenge to complete construction projects predictably within the constraints of time, cost and quality. The Building Information Modelling (BIM) revolution has brought with it many interesting aspects in terms of changes in business processes and project practices in the construction sector. Construction firms play a crucial role in the delivery of projects; however, research shows that BIM adoption by construction organizations is still in its early stages in South Africa. Literature has shown that the South African Built Environment has not taken advantage of the BIM movement. This chapter examines the drivers and barriers to the adoption of BIM by construction companies and whether BIM capability is a key driver of BIM adoption. The study adopts a comprehensive literature review approach in achieving the study objectives. The study found through literature that the key drivers and barriers to BIM adoption include organizational readiness and client request. The study aims to develop an assessment tool for BIM capabilities within construction organizations. Further empirical studies will be required to confirm this finding that the higher the grade of a construction company on the CIDB register of companies, the higher the level of its organizational readiness to implement and adopt BIM.