Assessment of synchronous interactive devices for BIM project coordination: Prospective ergonomics approach

Abstract

In the last years, BIM has gained interest across the construction sector in Europe. 3D coordination, i.e. the task aiming at comparing several 3D models in order to reduce problems and conflicts, is often identified as a new mission. It is associated with the authoring, use and quality control in relation with the management of digital information models produced in so-called BIM projects. 3D coordination is an emergent business involving new practices, contractual standards and associated devices and software, thus requiring appropriate research approaches involving the understanding of Information Technology in human environments to address it. Based on a prospective ergonomics methodology, the authors analyse the synchronous co-located 3D coordination meeting and focus on three research questions: 1) What is the current 3D coordination task?, 2) How are the usual interaction and visualization devices supporting synchronous co-located 3D coordination meeting perceived by users?, and 3) How could a new 3D coordination meeting support system strengthen collaborative decision-making process in synchronous co-located context? A survey, followed by a controlled laboratory experiment, provides results on the conceptualization of the BIM coordination process as well as on the devices that will support the related synchronous co-located meetings. The findings highlight the usefulness of touch-based and multi-users displays for a better engagement of teams. However the study also documents the pain points associated with the use of such devices in collective settings.