Building information modeling and field operations: opportunities and challenges

Abstract

Building information modeling (BIM) use in field operations to support daily activities during the construction phase is still lacking when compared with design and office-related activities like design, clash detection, estimating, and planning in the owner–architecture–engineering–construction (OAEC) industry. This study explores the use of BIM in field operations or lack thereof, identifies factors that either act as barriers to or promoters of BIM implementation in field operations, and identifies ways in which BIM implementation in field operations can be improved. The study was developed using a mixed-mode approach including case studies, interviews, and a survey, and using Lean construction-related literature to analyze the results. Findings support the importance of using BIM to visualize and plan field operations and prevent wasteful interactions between resources (workers, equipment, and time). Additionally, findings indicate that those who receive more training on BIM use tend to have more trust on its potential and use it more often.