Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Critical Risks Associated with BIM Adoption: A Case of Singapore

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Proceedings of the 21st International Symposium on Advancement of Construction Management and Real Estate

Abstract

In the recent years, building information modelling (BIM) has attracted worldwide attention from both academics and industry practitioners. Although there have been well-recognized benefits from the BIM adoption, the potential risks associated with BIM adoption should not be ignored. The objective of this study is to assess the potential risks in the BIM adoption in Singapore. To achieve the objective, a total of 16 risks were identified through a literature review, and a questionnaire survey was conducted with 36 industry practitioners. The magnitude of impact, likelihood of occurrence, and criticality of risks were analysed. The results indicated that the risk criticality scores ranged from 2.89 to 3.68, and that “lack of competency or expertise in using BIM” was the most critical risks associated with BIM adoption, followed by “cost overrun with BIM” and “lack of collaboration among project participants”. With respect to the impact, “lack of competency or expertise in using BIM” also received the top position. In terms of the likelihood of occurrence, “cultural resistance” was ranked top. The identification of the critical risks contributes to a better risk awareness in the organizations that were adopting BIM, and enables the industry practitioners to develop appropriate risk response measures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Akintoye A (2000) Analysis of factors influencing project cost estimating practice. Constr Manag Econ 18(1):77–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Won J et al (2013) Where to focus for successful adoption of building information modeling within organization. J Constr Eng Manag 139(11)

    Google Scholar 

  • Arayici Y, Aouad G (2010) Building information modelling (BIM) for construction lifecycle management. Construction and building: design, materials, and techniques. Nova Science Publishers, New York, pp 99–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Arayici Y, Egbu C, Coates P (2012) Building information modelling (BIM) implementation and remote construction projects: issues, challenges, and critiques. J Inf Technol Constr 17:75–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Autodesk (2008) The five fallacies of BIM. http://images.autodesk.com/apac_korea_main/files/five_fallacies_of_bim_mar08.pdf

  • Azhar S (2011) Building information modeling (BIM): trends, benefits, risks, and challenges for the AEC industry. Leadersh Manag Eng 11(3):241–252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azhar S, Khalfan M, Maqsood T (2012) Building information modeling (BIM): now and beyond. Australas J Constr Econ Build 12(4):15–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BCA (2014) Technology adoption: building information model (BIM) fund (ENHANCED). http://www.bca.gov.sg/BIM/bimfund.html

  • Becerik-Gerber B, Rice S (2010) The perceived value of building information modeling in the US building industry. J Inf Technol Constr 15(2):185–201

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein HM, Jones SA, Russo MA (2012) The business value of BIM in North America: multi-year trend analysis and user ratings (2007–2012). McGraw-Hill Construction, Bedford

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw D (2006) The rewards and risks of BIM. http://www.benchmark-insurance.com/BIM.pdf

  • Bryde D, Broquetas M, Volm JM (2013) The project benefits of building information modelling (BIM). Int J Project Manag 31(7):971–980

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen SM et al (2013) A framework for an automated and integrated project scheduling and management system. Autom Constr 35:89–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chien K-F, Wu Z-H, Huang S-C (2014) Identifying and assessing critical risk factors for BIM projects: empirical study. Autom Constr 45:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dossick CS, Neff G (2010) Organizational divisions in BIM-enabled commercial construction. J Constr Eng Manag 136(4):459–467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eadie R et al (2013) BIM implementation throughout the UK construction project lifecycle: an analysis. Autom Constr 36:145–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eastman C et al (2011) BIM handbook—a guide to building information modeling for owners, managers, designers, engineers, and contractors, 2nd edn. Wiley, Hoboken

    Google Scholar 

  • Fan S-L (2013) Intellectual property rights in building information modeling application in Taiwan. J Constr Eng Manag 140(3):04013058

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang D et al (2004) Risks in Chinese construction market—contractors’ perspective. J Constr Eng Manag 130(6):853–861

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fellows R, Liu A (2003) Research methods for construction, 2nd edn. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilligan B, Kunz J (2007) VDC use in 2007: significant value, dramatic growth, and apparent business opportunity. In: Construction users roundtable (CURT) national meeting, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanna A, Boodai F, El Asmar M (2013) State of practice of building information modeling in mechanical and electrical construction industries. J Constr Eng Manag 139(10):04013009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanna A, Yeutter M, Aoun D (2014) State of practice of building information modeling in the electrical construction industry. J Constr Eng Manag 140(12):05014011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu K-M, Hsieh T-Y, Chen J-H (2015) Legal risks incurred under the application of BIM in Taiwan. Proc Inst Civ Eng Forensic Eng 168(3):127–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutt J (2013) What are the potential risks associated with BIM? http://www.rpc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_easyblog&view=entry&id=626&Itemid=132

  • Hwang BG, Zhao X, Gay MJS (2013) Public private partnership projects in Singapore: factors, critical risks and preferred risk allocation from the perspective of contractors. Int J Project Manag 31(3):424–433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hwang BG et al (2015a) Addressing risks in green retrofit projects: the case of Singapore. Project Manag J 46(4):76–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hwang BG, Zhao X, Ong S (2015b) Value management in Singaporean building projects: implementation status, critical success factors, and risk factors. J Manag Eng 31(6):04014094

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen PA, Jóhannesson EI (2013) Building information modelling in Denmark and Iceland. Eng Constr Archit Manag 20(1):99–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khosrowshahi F, Arayici Y (2012) Roadmap for implementation of BIM in the UK construction industry. Eng Const Archit Manag 19(6):610–635

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krygiel E, Nies B (2008) Green BIM: successful sustainable design with building information modeling. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Ku K, Taiebat M (2011) BIM experiences and expectations: the constructors’ perspective. Int J Constr Educ Res 7(3):175–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuiper I, Holzer D (2013) Rethinking the contractual context for building information modelling (BIM) in the Australian built environment industry. Australas J Constr Econ Build 13(4):1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lesny M, Reidy R (2013) Building information modelling—the impact on the insurance market. http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=1857254b-a431-4586-b424-b91b504dfc1d

  • Liu J, Zhao X, Yan P (2016) Risk paths in international construction projects: case study from Chinese contractors. J Constr Eng Manag 142(6):05016002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Low SP, Liu JY, He SQ (2009) External risk management practices of Chinese construction firms in Singapore. KSCE J Civ Eng 13(2):85–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGraw Hill Construction (2014) The business value of BIM in Australia and New Zealand. McGraw Hill Construction, Bedford

    Google Scholar 

  • Ott RL, Longnecker M (2001) An introduction to statistical methods and data analysis. Pacific Grove, Duxbury

    Google Scholar 

  • Patton MQ (2001) Qualitative research and evaluation components, 3rd edn. Sage, Thousand Oaks

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez J (2014) Building information modeling risks. http://construction.about.com/od/Trends/a/Building-Information-Modeling-Risks.htm

  • Sebastian R (2011) Changing roles of the clients, architects and contractors through BIM. Eng Constr Archit Manag 18(2):176–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sieminski J (2007) Liability and BIM. http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/secure/documents/pdf/aiap037060.pdf

  • Simonian L (2010) Legal considerations associated with building information modeling. http://www.caed.calpoly.edu/pdci/research-projects/simonian-10.html

  • Smith M (2014) BIM and project management. http://www.thenbs.com/topics/bim/articles/BIM-and-project-management.asp

  • Smith DK, Tardif M (2012) Building information modeling: a strategic implementation guide for architects, engineers, constructors, and real estate asset managers. Wiley, Hoboken

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanley R, Thurnell D (2014) The benefits of, and barriers to, implementation of 5D BIM for quantity surveying in New Zealand. Australas J Constr Econ Build 14(1):105–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Succar B (2009) Building information modelling framework: a research and delivery foundation for industry stakeholders. Autom Constr 18(3):357–375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun Y et al (2008) Safety risk identification and assessment for Beijing Olympic venues construction. J Manag Eng 24(1):40–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson D, Miner RG (2006) Building information modeling-BIM: contractual risks are changing with technology. https://aepronet.org/Guest%20Essays/GE%20-%202006_09%20-%20Building%20Information%20Modeling.pdf

  • Vanlande R, Nicolle C, Cruz C (2008) IFC and building lifecycle management. Autom Constr 18(1):70–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang SQ, Dulaimi MF, Aguria MY (2004) Risk management framework for construction projects in developing countries. Constr Manag Econ 22(3):237–252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weber RP (1990) Basic content analysis, 2nd edn. Sage, Newbury Park

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins JR (2011) Construction workers’ perceptions of health and safety training programmes. Const Manag Econ 29(10):1017–1026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao X (2017) A scientometric review of global BIM research: analysis and visualization. Autom Constr 80:37–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao X, Hwang BG, Low SP (2013) Critical success factors for enterprise risk management in Chinese construction companies. Constr Manag Econ 31(12):1199–1214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao X, Hwang BG, Phng W (2014) Construction project risk management in Singapore: resources, effectiveness, impact, and understanding. KSCE J Civ Eng 18(1):27–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao X, Hwang BG, Lee HN (2016) Identifying critical leadership styles of project managers for green building projects. Int J Const Manag 16(2):150–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Zou PXW, Zhang G, Wang J (2007) Understanding the key risks in construction projects in China. Int J Project Manag 25(6):601–614

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The work described in this paper was supported by the Central Queensland University New Staff Grant.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, Sydney, 2000, NSW, Australia

    Xianbo Zhao

  2. School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, Wayville, 5034, SA, Australia

    Josua Pienaar

  3. Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, VIC, Australia

    Shang Gao

Authors
  1. Xianbo Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Josua Pienaar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Shang Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xianbo Zhao .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Real Estate and Construction, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    K. W. Chau

  2. Department of Real Estate and Construction, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Isabelle Y.S. Chan

  3. Department of Real Estate and Construction, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Weisheng Lu

  4. Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Chris Webster

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Zhao, X., Pienaar, J., Gao, S. (2018). Critical Risks Associated with BIM Adoption: A Case of Singapore. In: Chau, K., Chan, I., Lu, W., Webster, C. (eds) Proceedings of the 21st International Symposium on Advancement of Construction Management and Real Estate. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6190-5_53

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation