Ten questions concerning building information modelling

Abstract

Building information modelling (BIM) has been a dominant topic in information technology in construction research since this memorable acronym replaced the boring “product modelling in construction” and the academic “conceptual modelling of buildings”. The ideal of having a complete, coherent, true digital representation of buildings has become a goal of scientific research, software development and industrial application. In this paper, the author asks and answers ten key questions about BIM, including what it is, how it will develop, how real are the promises and fears of BIM and what is its impact. The arguments in the answers are based on an understanding of BIM that considers BIM in the frame of structure-function-behavior paradigm. As a structure, BIM is a database with many remaining database challenges. The function of BIM is building information management. Building information was managed before the invention of digital computers and is managed today with computers. The goal is efficient support of business processes, such as with database-management systems. BIM behaves as a socio-technical system; it changes institutions, businesses, business models, education, workplaces and careers and is also changed by the environment in which it operates. Game theory and institutional theory provide a good framework to study its adoption. The most important contribution of BIM is not that it is a tool of automation or integration but a tool of further specialization. Specialization is a key to the division of labor, which results in using more knowledge, in higher productivity and in greater creativity.