Features

Industry talks BIM

By MECN Adminstrator

Posted on December 12, 2010

The Big project brings you the latest and most significant results from the 2010 Middle East Building Information Modelling Market Survey, undertaken by Buildingsmart me

The 2010 Middle East Building Information Modelling (BIM) Survey was undertaken by BuildingSmart Middle East (ME) to assist in planning and development of BIM programmes and infrastructure across the region.

[facts]

Respondent profile by country

UAE 77%

KSA 41%

Qatar 35%

Oman 22%

Bahrain 19%

Kuwait 18%

Jordan 7%

[/facts]

The survey findings provide a unique insight into the current state of building information modelling, as well as providing valuable indicators of how the industry can prepare for and facilitate increased BIM activity, according to the organisation.

Respondents were from key construction industry sectors operating in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Jordan. The findings are reflective of the opinions of industry professionals with prior exposure to, and in some cases experience of, BIM.

Overall, the findings suggest that BIM penetration in the industry is moderate (around 25%), however, the level of competency is underdeveloped compared to regions such as western Europe and the US.

Face-to-face interviews conducted as part of the survey process indicated that most firms engaged with BIM were in an ‘early adoption’ phase and were typically using BIM in its most basic capacity — as a tool for visualisation, coordination, drawing extraction, and in a few cases, for construction planning.

Respondents wanted to see BIM mandated on projects, as well as the establishment of industry standards and certified training and implementation programmes”

Despite this inexperience, the recognition of the value of BIM is strong, concluded BuildingSmart, with respondents identifying ‘reduction in design errors (66%), ‘improved quality’ (64%) and improved productivity (64%) as the primary benefits.

The survey uncovered concerns that a lack of availability of skilled staff and training may hinder the adoption of BIM in the future. Such concerns are supported by the findings on current capabilities and skills levels. Of the respondents who had received BIM training, 46% indicated that they were self taught, and those that were self taught were less likely to be regular BIM users that those with formal training (64% compared to 84% respectively).

Increasingly, those involved in sustainable design and construction are finding that BIM is making green outcomes more achievable”

There was a significant call for industry leaders to support the adoption of BIM in providing expert guidance and infrastructure, according to the organisation’s findings. Respondents wanted to see BIM mandated on projects (cited as the number one driver for future deployment), as well as the establishment of industry standards and certified training and implementation programmes.

BuildingSmart ME concluded that overall the findings represented a market that is optimistic and aware, but inexperienced in Building Information Modelling. Real benefits are recognised, but not necessarily seen as achievable (ROI was identified as one of the least recognised benefits).

Concerns regarding training and skilled staff are founded and there is a call to industry bodies and decision makers to bridge the divide and lead the industry forward, according to the organisation, which suggested governments, owners and developers can benefit significantly from BIM, and at the same time accelerate the penetration into the market through the mandating of BIM in development approvals, certification processes and in prequalification and tender documents.