BIM Adoption warning on the Construction Industry
Even though the adoption of BIM has improved in countries like India, its full potential remains untouched. BIM can be utilized in a country like India to scale projects and attain an attractive cost to benefit ratio because it has a vast talent pool and access to BIM.
The industry has a fertile opportunity to transform itself using BIM. Change in how work is done, hiring new people who understand technology, and making technology an integral part of the overall strategy are required to achieve this.
Although companies recognize BIM's role, the ground reality is more complex. As strong proponents of BIM, we recognize that we need to understand the obstacles and perception gaps impeding its growth before we can evangelize this technology.
Training & Talent Lacking
Recruitment of skilled workers is a challenge for construction companies. That is primarily due to the industry's conventional image. Flexibility is important to millennial & they prefer companies with an obvious technology focus.
As millennial will make up 75 percent of the AEC industry in the next decade, their expectations and perceptions of the industry will be mismatched. Buildings are considered rigid & office spaces are also not as glamorous as those in Information Technology.
Gender diversity is also low in the industry due to its perceived male-dominated nature.
Adapting BIM is challenging for companies due to a lack of talent, training, and contextual awareness. Fundamental processes and working ways will need to change for construction companies. Customers and employees will expect this from you as you strive to keep up with digital developments.
Unrealistic Expectations & Scope
Many others deliver projects and walk away without offering assistance to the company as they indulge their digital ambitions.
The scope of BIM implementation is often not defined by companies. Overpromising and setting unrealistic expectations are common problems with some partners. BIM must be implemented in a way that aligns partners' goals with the needs and expectations of clients for long term sustainability. If you limit BIM to a limited number of projects, it becomes an experiment.
Enthusiasm Problem
In some cases, BIM adoption has been delayed since there was not enough demand. BIM may not be a priority for small companies. Companies do not consider it to be relevant to project completion since there is no compulsion to use it. We need to make BIM's benefits clear if we want it to be prioritized by companies.
Cost against Benefits
In the construction industry, margins are so tight that companies are hesitant to invest in new technology unless they are assured that BIM will save them money. It involves direct costs such as hardware investment, software licensing, training of professionals, and maintenance.
Even if the technology can be implemented and leveraged properly, the biggest challenge will be getting construction teams to use BIM output. As a result, companies are reluctant to make investments. Unfortunately, they fail to appreciate the benefits that technology offers to the company, designers and engineers, and consultants.
Wrapping it Up
Governments and construction companies around the world began adopting Building Information Management concepts in 80's & 90's. As a technology used only on large sites and in developed countries, it has been adapted by developing countries. The construction industry now uses it as standard practice.
Construction companies in India have adopted BIM over the last few years to reduce delays and cost overruns. Despite the proven benefits of BIM, not as many companies are eager to adopt it as they should be.
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