Integrated Data Management: Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Malaysia Construction Industry

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a technology and a set of tools that consists of the process of generating, storing, managing, exchanging, and sharing building information among construction project stakeholders that enhances the productivity of project requirements and output. Although BIM was first developed with a focal point on the design field, it has become widely noticeable and also received attention among the contractors. Thus, the aim of this paper is to discover BIM's application in contractors' scope of works. Literature review and survey were carried out to identify the barriers and issues of BIM, the construction project processes that involve BIM implementation, as well as BIM's benefits and success strategies towards engaging construction stakeholders in BIM application. The survey was carried out among the Grade 7 (G7) Contractors in Klang Valley. Based on the results obtained from 51 respondents who participated in the survey, findings from quantitative and qualitative questionnaire revealed that the barriers and issues of BIM are contractors' resistance to change, lack of knowledge, and BIM's perceived costs. Four general issues on BIM tools were identified. BIM implementation during construction stage can benefit from better coordination, collaboration, improved communication, and sharing of information among construction practitioners, can improve accuracy in terms of cost and reduce wastage due to rework. In order to encourage the contractors to implement BIM in their practices, four success strategies on BIM were identified. These strategies can increase the quality of Malaysian construction projects as well as improve the image of the industry.