Pros and cons of using building information modeling in the AEC industry

Abstract

Although a plethora of studies on building information modeling (BIM) have been conducted in the last decade, none of the previous studies collate and/or prioritize the benefits, risks, and challenges of BIM based on the data collected from a comprehensive literature review and subject matter experts (SMEs). In order to allow architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals and academics see the true potential of BIM in a wider context and help them understand its multiorganizational and multidisciplinary functions, there is an obvious necessity for identifying, classifying, and prioritizing the pros and cons of BIM; however, such a study is still currently absent in the AEC literature. The aim of this study is to identify, classify, and rank the pros and cons of BIM that address the benefits, challenges, and risks of BIM in the transition from computer-aided design (CAD). A literature review was performed and face-to-face semistructured interviews with SMEs on BIM were conducted for identification and classification purposes. A total of 41 types of benefits, 11 types of risks, and 13 types of challenges of BIM were identified via triangulation of literature review and face-to-face semistructured interviews with SMEs. The Delphi method was performed for prioritizing the benefits of BIM in terms of time, cost, and sustainability as well as the risks and challenges of BIM encountered in the transition process from CAD to BIM. The interrater agreement and significance-level statistics were performed to analyze and validate the consensus reached by the Delphi panel experts. This paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge on BIM by providing comprehensive identification and classification of the benefits, challenges, and risks of BIM, and prioritization of the benefits for BIM in terms of time, cost, and sustainability as well as the risks and challenges of BIM. The priority rankings of benefits, risks, and challenges of BIM ensure successful completion of projects and create additional value by allowing professionals to make well-informed decisions that support decreasing time and cost-related waste in the transition process from CAD to BIM.