Building Information Modelling Technology in Mitigating Cost Overruns and change orders in Construction Projects

Abstract

Variation order (VO) is one of the main issues faced by the construction industry in Jordan. Many researchers had investigated on the causes of VO and proposed procedures to minimize and control this issue; however, the VO is affecting the construction industry badly even at moment. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a powerful management system that can make a significant difference in the project costs. However, BIM has not been examined as a tool to minimize the VO in Jordan. The main target of this study is to utilize BIM applications in reducing the effect of VO on the governmental projects in Jordan. In order to achieve this target, the researcher has designed a questionnaire to gather data related to VO causes and the BIM capability to solve this problem. The data collected from the questionnaires were analyzed statistically. The result from the analysis found that the consultant initiated the highest VO of 50% followed by the clients and the contractors of 20% and 10% unforeseen variation respectively. Moreover, it is found that BIM Design Applications, Facility Operations Simulation, Exploration Design Scenarios, BIM Design Detection and BIM Quantity Take-off and Cost Estimation were significantly capable of minimizing VO. The results show positive relationship with the application of BIM in minimizing VO in the construction industry in Jordan. © 2018. JASET, International Scholars and Researchers Association