Wider use of BIM could help UK construction companies compete on the European and global stage.
That’s according to a survey of just over 400 construction professionals by BSI, which found that more than 70% believe that BIM will put UK industry on a better footing to compete internationally, as well as improving the UK construction industry overall.
Respondents said improvements in design quality, communication and cost control were the biggest benefits that BIM can deliver.
However, 40% of the respondents felt that BIM will not live up to expectations unless it can be fully implemented across the industry.
Nearly three quarters (69%) said they believed an industry-wide awareness campaign is necessary to overcome the challenges associated with BIM adoption.
Meanwhile, four in 10 of those surveyed cited lack of client demand and resistance from supply chain partners as factors preventing BIM implementation.
The government set out a requirement in 2016 that construction suppliers for public sector projects work at BIM Level 2, and BSI said the UK has led the way globally on BIM adoption and standards.
It added that its survey indicated the industry is maturing, with 41% of practitioners reporting that their company is now running multiple BIM projects.
When asked by BSI, industry professionals still cite internal barriers to adoption, including a reluctance to let old methods go (49%) and difficulty finding the right resources to deliver (45%). But the number who say that they struggle to convince their board of BIM advantages is much smaller, at just over a fifth of respondents (21%).
Andy Butterfield, product certification director of built environment at BSI, said: “The UK industry has been leading the way in BIM development. We’ve been working for a number of years with professionals and government to create best practice standards, training and certification for BIM. These are based on consensus knowledge to accelerate innovation and to help address the barriers to BIM adoption.
“It is encouraging to see the appetite within the industry for more training and awareness on BIM. Collaboration is the foundation for BIM and the industry must continue to invest in knowledge-sharing and training to unlock global success.”
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