Theoretical Categories of Successful Collaboration and BIM Implementation within the AEC Industry

Abstract

Researchers have found successful collaboration that spans organizational boundaries enhances the productivity of the design and construction process. Researchers and practitioners alike argue using Building Information Modeling (BIM) should lead to tighter collaboration and closer communication among project participants working in cross-organizational environments. Using data from observations over fifteen months of the integrated design process of a laboratory building project, the authors build a typology of the strategies of successful collaboration within the AEC industry. Then, using interview data from 70 architects, engineers and general contractors from across the U.S., we test our proposed typology to suggest how the collaboration process is implicated in inter-organizational BIM integration. The authors find that inter-organizational BIM-enabled projects and successful inter-organizational collaboration have shared theoretical categories: fostering integrated teams; implementing tools and strategies to encourage clear communication across the team; and developing transparent technology use. The authors argue that attempts at either will not be successful without first establishing the right social and organizational foundation that supports both collaboration and successful technology implementation.