Why Use BIM in Construction? The Benefits and Challenges of Building Information Modelling
There’s no denying that Building Information Modelling (BIM) has revolutionised modern construction and is now an essential tool. The benefits of BIM in construction are plentiful, including enhanced collaboration, streamlined processes, and superior project outcomes. However, no innovation comes without its flaws.
In this article, we explore the benefits and challenges of BIM throughout a building’s life cycle.
Are you committed to implementing BIM on your next construction project? Or perhaps you’re still deciding whether BIM is truly worthwhile. As a BIM agency with a proven track record in digital construction and BIM strategy, we understand BIM’s pivotal role in optimising outcomes in the built environment.
If you know that you want to integrate BIM into your next construction project, it’s probably time to investigate whether you should outsource your BIM or keep it in-house.
However, if you’re still undecided, consider looking into the benefits of BIM. Read on to learn about the advantages of BIM on construction projects, including increased collaboration and efficiency during the construction process.
With BIM, high-quality designs are at your fingertips, offering unique capabilities compared to traditional design methods, which lack the depth and accuracy of data that BIM software provides. Using BIM, designers can create virtual models that combine the visual aspects of a project with the underlying data associated with each element.
BIM is a stellar addition to the design process. Decisions can be based on comprehensive information, leading to designs that are visually appealing, functionally efficient, and structurally sound.
One benefit of BIM is the addition of a collaborative environment where all project teams can contribute to the design process. Diverse perspectives are captured, leading to more holistic and well-rounded designs. Visualising various design scenarios in a BIM environment optimises design solutions by exploring options and alternatives.
Another advantage of BIM is its ability to bridge high-quality design with crucial data. By harnessing both aspects, BIM empowers project teams to create designs that meet aesthetic, functional, and performance requirements. This comprehensive design approach is an essential piece of the puzzle that BIM solves more effectively than traditional design methods.
Building Information Modelling does more than build the ideal structure—it saves time, money, and a tonne of stress, making BIM the ultimate construction ally. In fact, one of BIM’s notable benefits is that it allows you to spot potential hiccups before they become major issues.
With BIM on your side, gone are the days of costly reworks on the construction site. By using clash detection and issue tracking software, potential problem areas are identified and can be rectified before fabrication and installation, minimising the need for revisions and lowering project expenses.
What’s more, BIM software provides contractors and subcontractors with a clear visualisation of the project. And by tracking resources throughout the construction phase, BIM systems reduce the likelihood of over-ordering materials, thereby delivering efficient inventory management and reducing waste.
Streamlining collaboration is another key factor, as it facilitates real-time access to critical project information and aligns team members throughout the construction process.
BIM offers a comprehensive solution that extends far beyond the construction phase. Including specific data in the BIM model gives stakeholders useful information to use throughout the building’s lifespan.
During facility management and maintenance, BIM serves as a valuable asset. All project teams can access detailed information about the building’s components, systems, and operational requirements. This facilitates maintenance planning, space optimisation, and energy efficiency improvements, ultimately extending the building’s life cycle and reducing costs.
BIM also ensures regulatory compliance by providing a robust framework for adhering to building codes, standards, and regulations. As noted by the Centre for Digital Built Britain, alignment with government policies is a key benefit of BIM in construction.
Through digitised documentation and automated compliance checks, BIM streamlines regulatory processes and minimises the risk of non-compliance penalties. Construction projects that use BIM can adapt to technological advancements and sustainability standards, promising relevant and resilient structures.
The regulations surrounding BIM construction result in an additional, fully integrated layer of work, unlike traditional 2D design. Some believe the flexibility of traditional design is an advantage over BIM—however, our team at Shft believes otherwise! While traditional 2D work may seem flexible, one of the benefits of BIM is that it exposes underlying problems that can arise during construction.
BIM reveals potential issues in advance, allowing you to implement solutions and optimise accordingly. By embracing BIM’s benefits, project teams can leverage its comprehensive insights to overcome challenges, deliver high-quality designs, and maximise efficiency throughout the project life cycle.
Despite the many benefits of BIM, professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors have noted a few drawbacks.
The upfront expense of implementing BIM may pose a challenge for construction professionals. BIM requires a layer of investment in software licences, training, and infrastructure, which can be off-putting. While we know that the long-term benefits of BIM more than offset these costs, convincing traditionalists to embrace change and invest in new technologies can be tricky.
While some construction professionals grasp the bigger picture and understand that the investment is a smart move, others struggle to see beyond the immediate hit to their bottom line.
However, viewing BIM as just another expense on the ledger is shortsighted. Sure, it’s an extra line item to budget for, but it’s also an investment in efficiency, accuracy, and long-term success.
It’s a matter of perspective—and sometimes, shifting that perspective is the biggest challenge of all.
Like any new technology, transitioning to BIM involves a steep learning curve.
On the one hand, some professionals work magic with software but might not know a hammer from a wrench on a real job site. Then there are the seasoned pros, who’ve been in the construction industry for decades and see BIM as yet another unnecessary hassle.
After all, when everyone’s stretched thin and under pressure to deliver, the path of least resistance often feels like the only viable option.
This inertia becomes even more pronounced in an industry with an ageing workforce—where many professionals nearing retirement may see little value in overhauling their ways of working at this stage in their careers. Familiar methods are easier and change takes effort that just doesn’t seem worth it.
It’s like trying to introduce a smartphone to someone who’s been using a flip phone for years. There’s resistance and scepticism, and many people ask, “Why do we need the change?”
But the reality is, this mindset can lead teams to a dead end. BIM isn’t just an incremental upgrade—it requires a wholesale shift in how people think, work and collaborate. And that’s precisely what makes it one of the biggest hurdles in its adoption.
To use BIM effectively, team members must gain both technical proficiency in the software and practical knowledge of construction processes.
Bridging the skills gap between software experts and construction professionals is essential.
The question is, how do we bridge the gap and reap all the benefits of BIM?
It will require more than just fancy software and training seminars. While training is needed, it will fall flat if nobody’s willing to put it into practice. A shift in mindset is critical, as well as a willingness to embrace change and a lot of perseverance. Because BIM is more than flashy models—it’s reshaping an entire industry and setting the stage for a brighter future.
Picture this: you’re all set to dive into a project, but then you realise your software isn’t playing nice with the rest of the team’s tools. What’s more, there’s also a risk that some of your trade partners or subcontractors might lack BIM technology proficiency, potentially leading to wasteful spending if they can’t effectively utilise your models.
It’s frustrating and time-consuming, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
And what if you become overly dependent on a single software platform? One day, a project might call for a tool different from your team’s training, prompting you to turn down the project.
Remember: it’s not just about having the right software; it’s about having a team trained to use it effectively. Some teams must turn down projects that don’t align with their software ecosystem. This is a tough spot to be in, highlighting the importance of interoperability in the world of BIM.
The truth is that until there’s BIM software that is universally accepted, software incompatibility could prevent some construction professionals from experiencing all the benefits of BIM.
You won’t need a highly complex system to manage your project if you have a small team of two or three individuals managing information.
However, imagine working alongside architects, mechanical engineers, lighting professionals, and numerous other stakeholders, all working on different parts of a building—how do you ensure your project goes to plan?
Coordinating these diverse teams and their workflows requires a robust system. To reap the benefits of BIM on a complex project, you need an appropriate management system. From orchestrating how information flows to ensuring seamless software integration, a holistic plan that works for everyone is key.
Processes tend to become more formalised and structured on complex projects. While this ensures adherence to standards, it also makes it challenging to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Ultimately, the larger your budget, the more room you’ll have to invest in sophisticated tools that can manage information effectively, even on complex projects.
From enhanced collaboration to streamlined processes, the benefits of BIM in construction are undeniable.
It’s important to acknowledge the challenges of BIM implementation: upfront costs, a steep learning curve, and software compatibility issues. But these obstacles pale in comparison to BIM’s long-term benefits. Continued investment is critical to driving progress and ensuring that businesses remain competitive and future-ready in an evolving industry.
At Shft, we believe that, despite their drawbacks, complex BIM projects are opportunities for the construction sector to level up. With a well-thought-out BIM system in place, teams can easily navigate multi-disciplinary collaboration. The structured approach of BIM fosters better communication, proactive problem-solving, and superior project outcomes.
The advantages of BIM extend far beyond the construction phase, offering endless value in facility management, maintenance, and regulatory compliance. By embracing the benefits of BIM, construction professionals can unlock new levels of efficiency, innovation, and resilience, shaping a brighter future for the industry.
It’s time to focus on the boundless opportunities BIM presents for a more efficient built environment. Get in touch today to reap the benefits of BIM on your next construction project.
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