Framework for macro building information modelling (BIM) adoption in Nigeria.

The Construction Industry is a vital component of a nations' Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employing both skilled and unskilled personnel. The construction industry's productivity depends on many factors, such as stakeholder relationships, construction processes, technology, workflows, project finance, workers' wellbeing, policy, and so on. The Nigerian construction industry is disjointed; professional stakeholders operate in silos, with a full monopoly of information. As a result, the sector suffers from inefficiencies and poor performance, uncompleted projects and building collapse. These are attributed to a rigid professional structure, poor information management and poor building production management. This research sets an agenda for investigation and development in the area of Building Information Modelling (BIM). The research work intends to explore and assess the current state of BIM, the status of BIM adoption and implementation, as well as its potential opportunities. The research also aims to develop a framework for the effective adoption of BIM in the Nigerian construction industry. Three different sources of data are used: comparative case studies (literature-based), a survey questionnaire (primary source, quantitative-based) and a semi-structured interview (primary source, qualitative-based). A purposeful sampling technique was used in drawing the research participants. The respondents came from within the construction professions (i.e. architects, builders, engineers, project managers, quantity surveyors, and town planners). The comparative case studies set example paces for effective BIM adoption and implementation, and served as precedents for the purpose of looking specifically at Nigeria. The quantitative data was used on the macro BIM adoption models and established Nigerian BIM maturity. These models revealed grey areas where attention is needed and they were also used to provide the basis for the development of the BIM adoption framework. The qualitative data was analysed using content analysis (in a sequential mixed method strategy) and used as input to the development of the context-based BIM adoption framework. The framework has been developed using a template for producing a national BIM roadmap; a six-year timeline with sequential action plans and milestones were generated. The framework suggests a push-pull process involving both government and industry; led by the government with support from the industry at the implementation stage. A partial mandate is recommended with incentives for adopters. The study revealed BIM potential in improving design and construction processes as well as information management. The study recommends practical and full implementation of the framework. However, the sequence may change over time as a result of potential changes accrued in the areas of diffusion dynamics and policy actions/requirements. Thus, a periodic macro BIM adoption study is recommended ahead of the implementation of the framework. This research is unique within its context and essential to promote a new process of working in the Nigerian construction industry. It will also assist government and industry stakeholders to initiate the paradigm shift required for a better construction industry, to avoid falling behind in a rapidly digitised world and economy

Analysis of causes of building collapse: system thinking approach.

Construction industry has rapidly evolved in the past decade. Across some developing nations, the issue of building collapse has remained a disturbing factor, especially in the past three decades. In Nigeria, building collapse has become the subject of much academic discourse, albeit without many tangible improvements. For instance, after every incidence of building collapse in Nigeria, investigations are usually carried out and actions are taken. Unfortunately, the menace appears to have exacerbated in recent times. This study investigates the causes of building collapse in Nigeria from academic literature with a view of identifying the leading causes which may shape future government policies while seeking to address the situation. A system-thinking approach was adopted to build a causal loop diagram showing the interrelationships among all the identified factors. With the aid of a system-thinking software, Vensim, a causal loop model was developed which helped identify key leverage points on which policies can be based to control excessive building collapse in Nigeria. Three leverage points were identified as differential settlement, structural failure and structural issues, which are linked to the civil engineering discipline. Recommendations are made based on the study findings

Blockchain in construction industry: challenges and opportunities.

Construction Industry is currently evolving around the world. On the other hand, despite the technological advancement across most sectors, construction industry remains amongst laggards in digitalization. Currently, engineering business is facing technological disruption ahead of the fourth industrial revolution; one of which is the blockchain technology! Blockchain is new to construction industry, its challenges and opportunities are yet to be fully realized. This study explores the challenges and potential opportunities of blockchain in the construction industry through extensive review of literature within the blockchain domain vis-à-vis construction business domain. The study presents challenges under three categories (technical, regulation and social), and the potential opportunities in to improving efficiency and reducing conflict through transparency and trust. That will ultimately create value for money in the procurement of construction works. Recommendations are made based on the study finding to advance the research on blockchain applications in to the construction industry

Highway sustainability construction: reducing carbon emissions using process management.

Carbon emission is a critical issue in infrastructure development, including the highway construction industry. Previous studies suggest that continuous carbon emission across highway projects is due to the use of different types of construction equipment and their inherent activities. Several research studies focused on arbitrary evaluation in order to reduce carbon emission using simulation, life-cycle analysis and multi-criteria optimisation. However, the general lack of methodological rigour brings into question the effectiveness of these carbon reduction methods. In addition, some of these studies do not show suitable improvement in carbon reduction and some of the findings are restricted in their usability. The present study aims to develop an integrated technique and a better understanding for the use of process management in reducing carbon emissions from highway construction projects. The study uses the literature review as the basis for its enquiry, enabling the use of secondary information as inputs to the analytical hierarchy process. The result shows that 'Strategy' has the highest weight score. The pattern of results indicates that a new paradigm shift is required in the use of strategic process management approaches in highway carbon reduction. Two contributions are made: firstly, the recommendation for early decision-making in order to include carbon reduction strategy during the highway feasibility study and tender phases. Secondly, the recommendation to use the proposed strategic process management framework in determining realistic carbon reduction strategies across the highway construction sector

BIM manager, coordinator, consultant, analyst…, what does a confused AEC industry need?

The rapid growth of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industries since its introduction around 2002 has highlighted a skills shortage within the industry whilst also leading to some confusion over the roles involved with BIM, particularly the BIM Manager. These factors can make recruiting the perfect BIM Manager difficult; especially with evidence also suggesting retaining personnel is a problem with many averaging less than two years per post before moving on. These issues are down to the industry having poor awareness of the skills and expertise BIM Managers can provide. This paper seeks to investigate the requirements for becoming a BIM Manager in terms of experience, training, skills and knowledge, whilst also assessing the different responsibilities between the various BIM management roles currently being used within the UK Construction Industry in order to clarify the current confusion. The investigation employed two research techniques. First, a comprehensive literature review that reviewed BIM roles and responsibilities at both project and corporate levels, before examining the characteristics of what is required to work with BIM. Second, a quantitative research survey that involved extracting key information from 25 BIM related job adverts that were posted throughout this study. The extracted data was then analysed to determine what is expected of potential BIM Managers in terms of education, working experience and skills. By comparing the findings of the two research techniques, it was possible to define what it takes to become a BIM Manager, whilst also separating responsibilities between management levels. The findings of this research culminated in defining a Project BIM Manager Job description/advertisement that responds to industry requirements. This job descriptor features the optimised role responsibilities at an SME alongside improved academic, professional and competency requirements that should lead to a higher quality recruitment process for employers

Analysis of barriers and drivers for BIM adoption.

Research on 'digitalization and collaboration' in the construction industry has been gaining momentum in the recent academic engagements. Despite its existence in many industries (i.e. financial services, retailing, publishing and travelling) for over ten years, it is yet to catch up by the construction market; this is due to several challenges whose existence are more dynamic and contextual than generic to various countries. The problems are defined in many studies across borders, but their impacts varied with countries. This case is equally the same to drivers toward the adoption of BIM. This study analyses barriers and drivers to BIM adoption in the Nigerian construction industry from adopters and non-adopters perspectives as to allow an informed decision in developing a strategy for macro BIM adoption. Primary data fetched from professional stakeholders through an online questionnaire survey were analysed using SPSS software and Microsoft Excel. This investigation reveals the most significant barriers against BIM adoption as Lack of expertise, Lack of standardization and protocols to mention but a few. And, most influential drivers from both adopters and non-adopters as Availability of trained professionals to handle the tools, Proof of cost savings by its adoption, BIM Software affordability, and awareness of the technology among the industry stakeholders. The adopters and non-adopters groups have nearly equal Percentage Disagreement (PD) and Percentage Agreement (PA) for both the barriers and drivers to BIM adoption. Thus, this suggests that the adopters are still at the early stage of BIM adoption, so have nearly the same perceptions with the non-adopters. The study recommends proper consideration of the established barriers and drivers while developing any strategy for effective BIM adoption. Further face-to-face (interview) study is necessary to explore more and in-depth challenges to adoption of BIM in the industry; and as the industry is getting more aware of the BIM, periodic evaluation of the critical barriers and drivers is vital

Causes of building failure and collapse in Nigeria: professionals' view.

Shelter or housing is the first thing humans need for living in this world even before food. The construction sector is the provider of physical infrastructure essential for human sustenance and economic development. Moreover, the advancement in vertical city expansion is enormous and to be celebrated; however in Nigeria, such development comes with huge human and material losses. For over three decades, Nigeria has been experiencing collapse of multi-story buildings. To investigate this phenomenon, primary data were collected through a questionnaire survey from professional construction consultants, contractors and clients. 150 structured questionnaires were randomly distributed of which 99 number were successfully retrieved for analysis. The 99 number questionnaires were analysed using simple statistics and charts. The result reveals that the frequency of building collapse in Nigeria is at an alarming rate and the impact is moderately major; substandard reinforcement, structural steel and cement used for the production of foundations, columns, beams and slabs are the main causes of building collapse (in descending order). While all these are associated with lapses in construction supervision with a relative importance index (RII) of 0.812 (ranked 1st) followed by construction process with RII of 0.709. Professions / professionals linked to the problems were also examined and recommendations are made based on the findings of the research

What are the barriers and drivers toward BIM adoption in Nigeria?

The ‘digitalization and collaboration’ or Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the construction industry has been gaining momentum in the recent academic engagements. Despite its existence in many industries (i.e. publishing, retailing, financial and travel services) for over a decade, the construction industry is yet to catch up with them. This is due to several challenges whose existence are more dynamic and perhaps generic than static to various countries. The challenges are mostly defined, but their impacts are frequently varied with boundaries; and the same applied to drivers toward a successful BIM adoption. This study aims to establish barriers and drivers to adopting BIM across Nigerian construction industry professions for synchronization and collective engagements. Primary data was fetched from professional stakeholders (Architects, Engineers, Builders, Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers and Planners) using online structured questionnaire. A total of 68 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study reveals a significant improvement in awareness level with much better adoption rate; however, the utilization level remain very limited due to lack of clarity, knowledge and guide. Lack of expertise within organizations and within project team as well as lack of standardization and protocols (in descending order) were found as significant barriers to BIM adoption. On the other hand, availability of trained professionals to handle BIM tools, proof of cost savings by its adoption and the BIM software affordability (in descending order) were found as the significant drivers to achieving a quick and effective BIM adoption. Recommendations were made based on the study findings

A quest needs for building information modelling tools training in a developing nation.

Computer Aided Design software and their kind are generally considered as Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools; moreover, the sophistication level of one in use may determine the BIM maturity level. Education and research are the backgrounds to innovation while training is a window to continuity in skills transfer. The experts are evolving from the industry professionals who are first trained in the Universities. This study determined how ready Nigerian Universities are to providing trained (on BIM tools) graduates for BIM adoption. A questionnaire survey was used; 59 structured questionnaires were distributed out of which 39 were successfully retrieved and analysed by descriptive statistics. The study revealed a significant correlation between the output (BIM skilled graduates) and the required software as well as trained tutors. The institutions are found to be physically ready with relatively sufficient hardware, however technically not ready! Due to lack of training software and skilled BIM tutors. More than three-quarter of the students are graduating on 'filebased collaboration' - 2D and 3D CAD knowledge with proficiency level between limited and practical application. However, the collaborative software training received proficiency level from basic to practical application with just 13% receiving training on the collaboration software, therefore contributing very little to the industry. Thus, this reveals a setback in the BIM tools training to carter for BIM uptake

Comparative analysis of BIM adoption efforts by developed countries as precedent for new adopter countries.

Building information modelling (BIM) adoption is generally assessed through one of two main approaches: 1) statistical evaluation of survey responses from stakeholders operating within a country or market, and 2) the use of macro BIM-adoption models and metrics. The recent paper "Macro-BIM adoption: comparative market analysis" sets the pace for continuous development of comparative market studies. However, precedent is important for continuous learning and adoption to contextualise this evolving field. This study aimed to set a unique precedent throguh comparative analysis of BIM adoption trends in the USA, UK and Australia, in order to set the pace for beginners or early BIM-adopting countries. This study is literature-based, analysed using content analysis. The study revealed the following: 1) A vibrant and evenly-distributed BIM adoption requires government involvement; 2) A government mandate facilitates wide BIM adoption and integrates a country's industry into the wider world; 3) A mandate also facilitates BIM research and training, which lead to a rise in the country's income through providing training and workforce export; 4) The dynamic of diffusion vary at different times, depending on a country's flexibility towards adoption of innovation; 5) The dynamic also changes as the industry's culture and regulation changes. Recommendations are made based on the study findings, especially with regards to the new adopter countries planning to develop a strategy for macro-BIM adoption