Comparative analysis of international and national level BIM standardization efforts and BIM adoption

Abstract

Use of digital engineering such as BIM in construction projects reveals social and economic benefits through productivity improvement, better visualizing and collaboration, and ease of communication. However, BIM standardization efforts and policy initiatives that ultimately influence the adoption varies significantly from country to country. This paper presents the international and national BIM standardization efforts. National standardization efforts and policy initiatives are discussed with the emphasis on pre and post policy BIM adoption. Policies of countries leading in BIM adoption such as the USA, the UK, Singapore, Finland and Norway are discussed. The USA and the UK BIM adoption were specifically analyzed in terms of contractors' BIM adoption and the proposition of BIM use by owners. The analysis suggests that the national governance and institutional frameworks influence BIM adoption. Hence, we recommend that the governments in the countries where BIM is becoming established should consider proliferation of national standards and compliance for a wider spread of BIM adoption.