Investigation of the Impact of BIM&IPD on Change Orders Using Bayesian Network Method

Abstract

Change orders present one of the largest sources of cost growth on building construction projects and have negative impact on productivity, labor efficiency and building environment. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is proved a high technology that greatly benefits both design and construction, greatly promoting the design visualization and construction 4-D modeling. Driven by BIM, Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) emphasizes communication in the collaborative process by avoiding adversarial or counter-productive professional relationships to reduce waste and rework. If BIM&IPD can be properly applied in project, quite a lot change orders can be avoided and then project cost will be reduced. This paper investigates the impact of BIM&IPD on construction change orders using Bayesian Network method. Bayesian Network is a graphic model representing cause and effect relationship between change orders and BIM&IPD. In this paper, evidence reasoning and probabilistic inference analyses are conducted to indicate the causes in light of the results and forecast the results according to causes. From the analysis, Bayesian Network is proved a good tool for construction managers to make decisions.