Information flows in a BIM enabled construction project: developing an information flow model

Abstract

ABSTRACT Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a revolutionary stride of technology towards the orthodox construction and procedures in conventional Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. The strength of BIM has been undervalued on the eyes of many professionals as to think of BIM as just another ‘software’ which is in reality, a ‘process’ of attaining an outstanding collaboration among every stakeholder throughout a project's life cycle. Thus, the purpose of this study is to develop a foreseeable information flow model related to the Construction Supply Chain (CSC) of a BIM aided project. This study administered a qualitative approach. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 experts, due to the lack of expertize with actual implementation experiences in the subject matter. The data were analysed using manual content analysis. The outcomes revealed that BIM standards have laid down charismatic arrangements on information flows among BIM project stakeholders, which is, in reality, a complex and random setup. The research outcome has successfully answered the complications in complex information setup of a BIM project by laying down guidance for any outsider to the BIM field as to recognize on what would be the contribution of each stakeholder throughout its BIM project's life cycle.