‘BIM Global Study’ released by dotBuiltEnvironment

dotBuiltEnvironment (.be) has published its report A Global Building Information Modelling (BIM) Study to allow the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) to better understand Scotland’s position in the international area of BIM realisation, as well as providing policy and implementation recommendations.

Henry Fenby-Taylor, lead author of the report for .be, said “In preparing this work for SFT we were struck by the lack of international benchmarking opportunities for articulating BIM implementation. In discussion, we developed what we have called the ‘Ease of Integration Index’ (EOI Index), a new matric comparing Policy, Economic and Governance factors, to better explain the development of BIM policy and implementation in twelve countries across the world. This has allowed SFT and its contributors to better understand these factors as contributors to successful BIM implementation policy, and to inform its discussions at this exciting juncture for Scotland, as the country’s developing digital construction strategy is resolved.

“What’s important to me is the ‘why’ question. We should always be able to say in plain language what the purpose of our policies are. The EOI matrix and the examples we provide in the report give a basis for informed strategic policy development and decision making. More than ever, industry and policy needs to rise with the tide of innovation and technology and not be dragged out to sea.”

.be is a broad network of active members who believe in the power of digital adoption as a catalyst for positive change in the construction industry. David Philp, Chair of the BIM Working Group at SFT, approached .be to offer a broad overview of strategic and pragmatic targets for policy and industry, from strategic overview to specific exemplar. This report is the result of collaboration across disciplines, countries and skillsets to develop a rounded view of Scotland’s position within the global digital built environment.

David Philp, Chair of the SFT BIM Working Group, said “Our construction sector is being reshaped globally by data, digital connectivity and new innovative mind-sets bringing greater opportunities to improve productivity and optimise asset performance. As we develop the SFT BIM guidance we want to ensure that we have given consideration of global best practice associated with the digitisation of the built environment. We also want to make sure that we identify, understand and plan for future shifts in technological advancement. The .be report is helping us understand our programme in an international context and what we can do based upon the recommendations to ensure it is appropriate and best in class for a digital Scottish construction landscape both now and in the future.“

When all parameters are taken into account, Scotland and the United Kingdom are placed third and fourth of the twelve countries studied, a tribute to the wide scope of BIM level 2 which covers a greater extent of the built environment lifecycle and thereby has more opportunity to add value. A key finding of the report is the need to unify the objectives of policy, SMEs and large businesses. The report concludes that it is essential to foster entrepreneurism, maintain continuous development of rigorous Quality Assurance procedures, and develop and invest in effective means of communication of lessons learned and best practice across, and outwith, industry.

The full report can be found here