Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Requirements for cloud-based BIM governance solutions to facilitate team collaboration in construction projects

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Requirements Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Construction projects involve multidisciplinary and multi-actor collaborations that generate massive amounts of data over their lifecycle. Data are often sensitive and embody rights, ownership, and intellectual property of the creator. Managing project information raises concerns about security, inconsistency, and loss of data. Conventional approach of dealing with the complexities of data management involves the adoption of BIM-based solutions that lack suitable means for the governance of collaboration, and access and archival of managed data. To overcome the limitations of BIM, cloud-based governance solutions have been suggested as a way forward. However, there is a lack of understanding of construction Information and Communication Technology (ICT) practices from the perspectives of data management and governance. This paper aims to fill this gap: first, by exploring barriers related to BIM adoption and collaboration practices, in particular, issues related to data management and governance that can potentially be ameliorated with cloud technologies, and second, by identifying key requirements for cloud-based BIM governance solutions. A structured questionnaire was conducted among informed construction practitioners in this study. The findings reveal several barriers to BIM adoption alongside ICT and collaboration issues with an urgent need to develop a BIM governance solution underpinned by cloud technology. Further, a number of important requirements for developing BIM governance solutions have been identified.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Autodesk DXF reference. http://www.autodesk.com/techpubs/autocad/dxf/reference/.

  2. EXPRESS modelling language, formalised in the ISO 10303:11.

  3. CLEARBOX. BIMXtra. Reference: http://clearboxbim.com/products/bimxtra.

  4. UNIT4. Reference: http://www.unit4.com/uki/about/partners/business-collaborator.

  5. ASITE. Asite cBIM Manager. Reference: http://www.asite.com/index.php/applications/category/application-cbim-manager/.

  6. 4PROJECTS. 2015. 4BIM [Online]. Available: http://www.4projects.com/OurProduct/4BIM.aspx.

References

  1. Eastman C et al (2011) BIM handbook: a guide to building information modeling for owners, managers, designers, engineers and contractors. Wiley, New Jersey

    Google Scholar 

  2. Motamedi A, Hammad A (2009) RFID-assisted lifecycle management of building components using BIM data. In: Proceedings of the 26th international symposium on automation and robotics in construction, 2009. The International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction (IAARC)

  3. Hooper M, Ekholm A (2010) A pilot study: towards bim integration-an analysis of design information exchange & coordination. In: Proceedings of the CIB W78 2010: 27th International Conference–Cairo. CIB, Egypt, pp 1–10

    Google Scholar 

  4. Rezgui Y, Zarli A (2006) Paving the way to the vision of digital construction: a strategic roadmap. J Constr Eng Manag 132:767

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Anumba CJ et al (2008) Collaborative project information management in a semantic web environment, engineering, construction and architectural management, vol 15. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp 78–94

    Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Mihindu S, Arayici Y (2008) Digital construction through BIM systems will drive the re-engineering of construction business practices. In: Visualisation, 2008 international conference, IEEE

  8. Howard R, Björk BC (2008) Building information modelling—experts’ views on standardisation and industry deployment. Adv Eng Inform 22(2):271–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Rezgui Y, Beach T, Rana O (2013) A governance approach for BIM management across lifecycle and supply chains using mixed-modes of information delivery. J Civ Eng Manag 19(2):239–258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Porwal A, Hewage KN (2013) Building information modeling (BIM) partnering framework for public construction projects. Autom Constr 31:204–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Eadie R et al (2014) Building information modelling adoption: an analysis of the barriers to implementation. J Eng Archit 2(1):77–101

    Google Scholar 

  12. Beach TH et al (2013) Cloud computing for the architecture, engineering & construction sector: requirements, prototype & experience. J Cloud Comput Adv Syst Appl 2(1):1–16

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  13. Ansell C, Gash A (2008) Collaborative governance in theory and practice. J Public Adm Res Theor 18(4):543–571

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Hobbs R (1996) Leadership through collaboration. AIArchitect 1996(3):11

    Google Scholar 

  15. Ilich M, Becerik B, Aultman B (2006) Online collaboration: why aren’t we using our tools? Publication of Architectural Engineering Institute and the Construction Institute of ASCE, vol 6, p 10

  16. HM Government (2012) Industrial strategy: government and industry in partnership, building information modelling. In: Blackwell B (ed). Crown, United Kingdom

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Barlish K, Sullivan K (2012) How to measure the benefits of BIM—a case study approach. Autom Constr 24:149–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. 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 

  20. Tse T-cK, Wong K-dA, Wong K (2005) The utilisation of building information models in nD modelling: a study of data interfacing and adoption barriers, Vol 10. pp 85–110

  21. Ashcraft HW (2008) Building information modeling: a framework for collaboration. Constr Law 28:5

    Google Scholar 

  22. Gu N, London K (2010) Understanding and facilitating BIM adoption in the AEC industry. Autom Constr 19(8):988–999

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Chao-Duivis M (2009) Legal implications of working with bim. Tijdschrift voor Bouwrecht 44:204–212

    Google Scholar 

  24. Rezgui Y, Miles J (2011) Harvesting and managing knowledge in construction: from theoretical foundations to business applications. Routledge, London

    Google Scholar 

  25. Wu W, Issa RR (2013) BIM education and recruiting: Survey-Based Comparative analysis of issues, perceptions, and collaboration opportunities. J Prof Issues Eng Educ Pract 140(2):04013014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. NBS (2012) NBS National BIM Report. National BIM Library, UK

    Google Scholar 

  27. NBS (2013) NBS National BIM Report. UK, National BIM Library

    Google Scholar 

  28. Holzer D (2007) Are you talking to me? Why BIM alone is not the answer. In: 4th international conference of the Association of Architecture Schools of Australasia. University of Technology, Bentely Systems Ltd, Sydney

  29. Singh V, Gu N, Wang X (2011) A theoretical framework of a BIM-based multi-disciplinary collaboration platform. Autom Constr 20(2):134–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Shen W et al (2010) Systems integration and collaboration in architecture, engineering, construction, and facilities management: a review. Adv Eng Inform 24(2):196–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Turner JR, Keegan A (2001) Mechanisms of governance in the project-based organization: roles of the broker and steward. Eur Manag J 19(3):254–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Isaca (2014) COBIT 5. http://www.isaca.org/COBIT/Pages/default.aspx?cid=1003566&Appeal=PR. Cited 2 Nov 2014

  33. Grant GG, Ulbrich F (2010) Governance of IT-shared services: moving between hierarchical and networked service provision. In: international conference on information resources management (CONF-IRM) 2010. AIS Electronic Library (AISeL), Montego Bay, Jamaica

  34. McNaughton B, Ray P, Lewis L (2010) Designing an evaluation framework for IT service management. Inf Manag 47(4):219–225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Olatunji OA (2015) Constructing dispute scenarios in building information modeling. J Leg Aff Dispute Resolut Eng Constr 8(1):C4515001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Alreshidi E, Mourshed M, Rezgui Y (2015) Cloud-based BIM governance platform requirements and specifications: software engineering approach using BPMN and UML. J Comput Civ Eng 04015063

  37. Principia (2006) Data governance result of the rapid survey. The National Computing Centre Ltd, UK, pp 1–16

    Google Scholar 

  38. Newman D, Logan D (2006) Governance Is an Essential Building Block for Enterprise Information Management, in Gartner, pp 1–9.

  39. Khatri V, Brown CV (2010) Designing data governance. Commun ACM 53(1):148–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. BSI (2014) Information governance. http://shop.bsigroup.com/Browse-by-Subject/Information-Governance/?t=r. Cited 2 Nov 2014

  41. Smith A, Stirling A, Berkhout F (2005) The governance of sustainable socio-technical transitions. Res Policy 34(10):1491–1510

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Mell P, Grance T (2009) The NIST definition of cloud computing. Natl Inst Stand Technol 53(6):1–3

    Google Scholar 

  43. Redmond A et al (2012) Exploring how information exchanges can be enhanced through cloud BIM. Autom Constr 2012(24):175–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Alreshidi E, Mourshed M, Rezgui Y (2014) Exploring the need for a BIM governance model: UK construction practitioners’ perceptions. In: Computing in civil and building engineering (2014). American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

  45. Rezgui Y (2007) Exploring virtual team-working effectiveness in the construction sector. Interact Comput 19(1):96–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Bailey V et al (1996) Essential research skills. Collins Educational, UK

    Google Scholar 

  47. Fink A (2012) How to conduct surveys: a step-by-step guide. Sage, Thousand Oaks

    Google Scholar 

  48. Oates BJ (2005) Researching information systems and computing. Sage, Thousand Oaks

    Google Scholar 

  49. Patton MQ (2005) Qualitative research. Wiley Online Library, USA

    Book  Google Scholar 

  50. Miles MB, Huberman AM (1994) Qualitative data analysis: an expanded sourcebook. Sage, Thousand Oaks

    Google Scholar 

  51. Marshall MN (1996) Sampling for qualitative research. Fam Pract 13(6):522–526

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. LinkedIn (2015) LinkedIn. http://www.linkedin.com. Cited 11 Nov 2014

  53. SurveyMonkey (2014) SurveyMonkey. SurveyMonkey. Cited 2014

  54. Thomas LW (2013) Legal issues surrounding the use of digital intellectual property on design and construction projects. The National Academies, Washington

    Book  Google Scholar 

  55. Wickersham J (2009) Legal and business implications of building information modeling (BIM) and integrated project delivery (IPD). BIM-IPD Legal and Business Issues, Rocket Publishing Ltd, USA

  56. McAdam B (2010) Building information modelling: the UK legal context. Int J Law Built Environ 2(3):246–259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. RIBA (2007) Royal Institute British Architects, outline Plan of Work. Royal Institute of British Architects, UK, pp 1–3

    Google Scholar 

  58. Sinclair D (2012) BIM overlay to the RIBA outline plan of work. RIBA, London

    Google Scholar 

  59. RIBA (2013) The new Plan of Work. Royal Institute of British Architects, UK, pp 1–40

    Google Scholar 

  60. CIC (2013) Building information model (BIM) protocol. Construction Industry Council, UK

    Google Scholar 

  61. Dropbox (2014) Dropbox. https://www.dropbox.com/developers. Cited 21 Feb 2015

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their thanks to all BIM experts, and AEC practitioners who have spared some of their valuable time to help in this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Computer Science and Engineering, Hail University, P.O. Box 2440, Hail, Saudi Arabia

    Eissa Alreshidi

  2. Building Research Establishment (BRE) Institute in Sustainable Engineering, School of Engineering, Cardiff University, 14-17 The Parade, Cardiff, CF24 3AA, UK

    Monjur Mourshed & Yacine Rezgui

Authors
  1. Eissa Alreshidi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Monjur Mourshed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yacine Rezgui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eissa Alreshidi.

Appendices

Appendix 1: BIM governance solution: questionnaire design

  1. 1.

    About yourself

    1. 1.1.

      Please enter your information (optional):

      • First Name:

      • Last Name:

    2. 1.2.

      Please select your gender.

      • Male

      • Female

      • Rather not to say

    3. 1.3.

      Please indicate the highest degree/qualification you have completed?

      • College/Pre-university (e.g. High school, O/A level, GCSE, etc.)

      • Vocational/Technical (e.g. HND, HNC, Foundation degree, etc.)

      • Undergraduate (e.g. BA, BSc, etc.)

      • Postgraduate taught (e.g. MSc, MA, etc.)

      • Postgraduate research (MPhil, PhD, etc.)

    4. 1.4.

      Please select your current job role.

      • Architect

      • Building Surveyor

      • BIM Manager

      • Civil Engineer

      • Client

      • Client Advisor

      • Contractor

      • Cost Consultant

      • Electrical Engineer

      • Facilities Manager

      • General Non-disciplinary

      • Geographical and Land Surveyor

      • Health & Safety Consultant

      • Health & Safety Consultant

      • Heating and Ventilation Designer

      • Information Manager

      • Interior Designer

      • IT Technician

      • Landscape Architect

      • Mechanical Engineer

      • Project Manager

      • Public Health Engineer

      • Quantity Surveyor

      • Specialist Designer

      • Structural Engineer

      • Subcontractor

      • Others. Please specify

    5. 1.5.

      Please select your age group.

      • 18–21

      • 21–25

      • 26–30

      • 31–35

      • 36–40

      • 41–45

      • 46–50

      • >50

    6. 1.6.

      How long have you been working in the construction industry?

      • <1 year

      • 1–5 years

      • 6–10 years

      • 11–15 years

      • 16–20 years

      • >20 years

  2. 2.

    About your organisation

    1. 2.1.

      Where is your organisation located, i.e. where do you work?

      • East Midlands

      • East England

      • London

      • North East England

      • North West England

      • Northern Ireland

      • Scotland

      • South East England

      • South West England

      • Wales

      • West Midlands

      • Yorkshire

      • Globally

      • Across UK

    2. 2.2.

      How long has your company been established?

      • 1–10 year/years

      • 11–30 years

      • >30 years

    3. 2.3.

      How many employees are there in your organisation?

      • <10

      • 11–25

      • 51–250

      • >251

    4. 2.4.

      How often does your organisation apply the following procurement methods?

      • Traditional

      • Design and build

      • Two-stage tendering

      • Public private partnership

      • Management contracting

      • Framework agreements

      • Prime contracting

  3. 3.

    BIM adoption barriers

    1. 3.1.

      Which of the following factors do you believe may act as socio-organisational barriers in the adoption of BIM in construction projects?

      • Issues related to collaboration within a team (e.g. trust)

      • Generational gaps in BIM skills and understanding between junior and senior members of staff

      • The structure of the team and the relationships between team members (e.g. user/manager)

      • Team members’ resistance to change and transition to a knowledge driven organisation

      • Adoption of single management processes with multiple disciplines: across lifecycle and supply chains

      • Organisational culture—values, beliefs, customs, traditions, and practices that are shared within the organisation

      • Undefined roles and responsibilities of team members

      • Others. Please specify

    2. 3.2.

      Which of the following factors do you believe may act as financial barriers in the adoption of BIM in construction projects?

      • Cost of initial hardware setup

      • Cost of initial software setup

      • Training costs

      • Maintenance costs, e.g. regular updates of software

      • Tight budgets and existing small profit margins on projects

      • Personal indemnity insurance (PII) increases due to shared liabilities policy

      • Others. Please specify

    3. 3.3.

      Which of the following factors do you believe may act as legal barriers in the adoption of BIM in construction projects?

      • Lack of standards

      • Lack of defined liability for wrong or incomplete information input

      • Intellectual property rights and fair practice for electronic information and documentation

      • “Historic” government regulations that do not meet current and future needs of the industry

      • Personal indemnity insurance cover not maintained due to unknown liabilities on shared projects

      • No clarity in regulation related to participant roles, responsibilities and authorities

      • Others. Please specify

    4. 3.4.

      Which of the following factors do you believe may act as technical barriers in slowing down the adoption of BIM in construction projects?

      • Lack of training

      • Lack of compatibility between existing and new hardware

      • Lack of compatibility between existing and new software

      • Lack of compatibility between various standards-based (e.g. IFC) products across lifecycle and supply chains

      • Lack of data integration among stakeholders across lifecycle and supply chains

      • Privacy constraints associated with externally sourced virtualised storage.(e.g. cloud)

      • Lack of support for data integrity, user authentication, data security and access control

      • Others. Please specify

    5. 3.5.

      What are the most common data issues that you face when you are dealing with construction data?

      • Data inconsistency, e.g. different versions, data loss, etc.

      • Data liability-related issues

      • Access to data files

      • Data security—confidentiality and privacy of data and documents

      • Data compatibility issues when sharing and exchanging documents

      • Data file sizes when storing, sharing, and exchanging documents

      • Others. Please specify

    6. 3.6.

      Which of the following data-related issues the cloud computing technology may solve?

      • Data inconsistency, e.g. different versions, data loss, etc.

      • Data liability-related issues

      • Access to data files

      • Data security—confidentiality and privacy of data and documents

      • Data compatibility issues when sharing and exchanging documents

      • Data file sizes when storing, sharing, and exchanging documents

      • Others. Please specify

    7. 3.7.

      What do you believe are the impacts of insufficient data management within a construction project?

      • Project delays

      • Cost implications

      • Poorly produced documents

      • Errors and data inconsistency

      • Others. Please specify

  4. 4.

    Current practices and operation in atypical construction project

    1. 4.1.

      In your organisation, who is responsible for setting up the project working environment?

      • Project manager

      • IT manager

      • Varies from project to project

    2. 4.2.

      Do you think there is a need for a dedicated BIM manager for managing BIM data and its associated activities?

      • Yes

      • No

      • I do not know

    3. 4.3.

      Which of the following construction work plans best describes your organisation’s approach?

      • RIBA Plan of Work 2007

      • RIBA BIM Overlay 2012

      • RIBA Plan of Work 2013

      • Construction Industry Council (CIC)

      • Other (please specify)

    4. 4.4.

      Which stages of construction project are you normally involved with (stages based on RIBA Plan of Work 2013 with corresponding CIC stages in brackets)

      • Stage 1: Preparation (CIC: Brief)

      • Stage 2: Concept design (CIC: Concept)

      • Stage 3: Developed design (CIC: Developed design)

      • Stage 4: Technical design (CIC: Production)

      • Stage 5: Specialist design (CIC: Installation)

      • Stage 6: Construction (CIC: As Constructed)

      • Stage 7: Use & aftercare (CIC: In use)

      On a typical BIM-based project that you are currently working on, to what extent is BIM used at each stage?

      0 %

      1–20 %

      21–40 %

      41–60 %

      61–80 %

      81–100 %

      Stage 1: Preparation (CIC: Brief)

      		      

      Stage 2: Concept design (CIC: Concept)

      		      

      Stage 3: Developed design (CIC: Developed design)

      		      

      Stage 4: Technical design (CIC: Production)

      		      

      Stage 5: Specialist design (CIC: Installation)

      		      

      Stage 6: Construction (CIC: As Constructed)

      		      

      Stage 7: Use & aftercare (CIC: In use)

      		      

      Which of the following design software packages do you use to produce your design data?

      2D CAD only

      2D and 3D CAD

      3D CAD only

      Semantic/object-based CAD (*)

      Not used

      Autodesk AutoCAD packages

      		     

      Autodesk AutoCAD LT packages

      		     

      Autodesk Revit packages

      		     

      Bentley packages

      		     

      Graphisoft packages

      		     

      Google Sketchup

      		     

      Other (please specify)

      		     
    5. 4.5.

      Which of the following project management software does your organisation use?

      • Navisworks

      • Solibri

      • Master Builder

      • Primavera

      • Microsoft package

      • None of them

      • Other (please specify)

    6. 4.6.

      Which of the following BIM server solutions have you used in previous/current construction projects?

      • AutoDesk Buzzsaw

      • AutoDesk Revit Server

      • Bentley ProjectWise

      • Bentley AssetWise

      • Graphisoft BIM Server

      • Onuma systems (BIMStorm)

      • BIMServer

      • EDMmodelServer

      • None of the above

      • Other (please specify)

      Please select the technologies/software/tools that are used for team communication within a construction project?

      Never

      Rarely

      Sometimes

      Often

      Always

      Landline

      		     

      Mobile phone, SMS

      		     

      Email, e.g. Google Mail, Hotmail, Yahoo, company email, etc.

      		     

      Teleconference

      		     

      Online voice/video meeting software, e.g. Skype

      		     

      Face-to-face meeting

      		     

      Other (please specify)

      		     

      Reflecting on your job role, how often do you collaborate with the following team members?

      Never

      Rarely

      Sometimes

      Often

      Always

      Architect

      		     

      Building Surveyor

      		     

      BIM Manager

      		     

      Civil Engineer

      		     

      Client

      		     

      Client Advisor

      		     

      Contractor

      		     

      Cost Consultant

      		     

      Electrical Engineer

      		     

      Facilities manager

      		     

      General Non-disciplinary

      		     

      Geographical and Land Surveyor

      		     

      Health & Safety Consultant

      		     

      Heating and Ventilation Designer

      		     

      Information Manager

      		     

      Interior Designer

      		     

      IT Technician

      		     

      Landscape Architect

      		     

      Mechanical Engineer

      		     

      Project Manager

      		     

      Public Health Engineer

      		     

      Quantity Surveyor

      		     

      Specialist Designer

      		     

      Structural Engineer

      		     

      Other (please specify)

      		     

      How often do you use the following methods for storing construction project data?

      Never

      Rarely

      Sometimes

      Often

      Always

      Paper

      		     

      Optical media (e.g. CDs, DVDs, etc.)

      		     

      Flash storage (e.g. USB, Memory Card, etc.)

      		     

      Networked drive in the company intranet (e.g. NAS)

      		     

      Portable external hard drive

      		     

      Cloud storage solution (e.g. Dropbox, Amazon S3, etc.)

      		     

      On my pc/laptop drive

      		     

      Other (please specify)

      		     

      How often do you use the following methods to share/exchange construction project data/document with other team members?

      Never

      Rarely

      Sometimes

      Often

      Always

      Paper

      		     

      Optical media (e.g. CDs, DVDs, etc.)

      		     

      Flash storage (e.g. USB, Memory Card, etc.)

      		     

      Email

      		     

      Networked drive in the company intranet (e.g. NAS)

      		     

      Portable external hard drive

      		     

      Cloud storage solution (e.g. Dropbox, Amazon S3, etc.)

      		     

      Other (please specify)

      		     

      Which one of the following data format do you use to share/exchange documents?

      Never

      Rarely

      Sometimes

      Often

      Always

      Microsoft word (e.g. docx, doc, etc.)

      		     

      Microsoft Powerpoint (e.g. pptx, ppt, etc.)

      		     

      Microsoft Excel (e.g. xlsx, xls, etc.)

      		     

      Portable document format (pdf)

      		     

      Autodesk file (dwg)

      		     

      AutoCAD file (dxf)

      		     

      Bentley systems’ Microstation (dgn)

      		     

      Industry foundation classes (ifc)

      		     

      Comma-separated values file (csv)

      		     

      Extensible markup language file (xml)

      		     

      Open green building XML schema (gbXML)

      		     

      Simple text file format (txt)

      		     

      Image formats (e.g. jpeg, png, gif, etc.)

      		     

      Other (please specify)

      		     
  5. 5.

    Questions related to BIM governance requirements

    To what extent do you agree with the following statements:

    Strongly Disagree

    Disagree

    Neither Agree nor Disagree

    Agree

    Strongly Agree

    The new BIM solutions will change the way teams collaborate in a construction project

    		     

    BIM will improve project quality and efficiency in UK construction industry

    		     

    BIM will speed up the supply chain collaboration life cycle

    		     

    Developing a generic BIM data governance model would tackle most of existing BIM collaboration problems

    		     

    To what extent you agree on following functional requirements which are needed for addressing BIM data governance issues?

    Strongly Disagree

    Disagree

    Neither Agree nor Disagree

    Agree

    Strongly Agree

    Help and support

    		     

    Intensive training

    		     

    Awareness raising

    		     

    Development of protocols

    		     

    Sharing through a common model

    		     

    Secured log-in with access rights

    		     

    Security checks for uploaded/downloaded and transferred models

    		     

    User interface customisation

    		     

    Use web for online viewing and printing models

    		     

    Central repository for data storage online

    		     

    A notification system to inform team members of updated data

    		     

    Define clear roles, responsibilities for stakeholders across discipline through lifecycle.

    		     

    Standardised overall life cycle data management policy

    		     

    Provide real-time mechanism for share/exchange information

    		     

    Improve the communication among disciplines

    		     

    Other (please specify)

    		     
  6. 6.

    Questions related to each document in RIBA stages

    Stage 1-related questions

    Which of the following documents do you work on at RIBA Preparation stage?

    Initiate (owner)

    Read/write (contributor)

    Read only (consultant)

    Comment (approve)

    Not applicable

    Initial project brief

    		     

    Feasibility study report

    		     

    Project programme booklet

    		     

    Supplier assessment forms

    		     

    Procurement strategy

    		     

    Scope of project team service strategy

    		     

    Contract agreement

    		     

    Design responsibility agreement

    		     

    BIM deployment plan

    		     

    Soft landing strategy

    		     

    Information exchange strategy

    		     

    Other (please specify)

    		     

    Stage 2-related questions

    Which of the following documents do you work on at RIBA Concept Design stage?

    Initiate (owner)

    Read/write (contributor)

    Read only (consultant)

    Comment (approve)

    Not applicable

    Outline proposal: Structural design

    		     

    Outline proposal: Building services systems (MEP)

    		     

    Outline proposal: Site landscape

    		     

    Outline proposal: Outline specification

    		     

    Outline proposal: Preliminary cost plan

    		     

    Project strategies document (e.g. environmental, energy, ecology, etc.)

    		     

    Final project brief

    		     

    Procurement strategy

    		     

    Design responsibility

    		     

    Software strategy

    		     

    BIM execution plan

    		     

    Performance specified work

    		     

    Construction strategy (e.g. offsite fabrication report, H&S aspect document, site logistic)

    		     

    Other (please specify)

    		     

    Stage 3 related questions

    Which of the following documents do you work on at RIBA Developed Design stage?

    Initiate (owner)

    Read/write (contributor)

    Read only (consultant)

    Comment (approve)

    Not applicable

    Developed design: Structural design

    		     

    Developed design: Building services system (MEP)

    		     

    Developed design: Site landscape

    		     

    Developed design: Outline specification

    		     

    Developed design: Cost plan

    		     

    Developed design: Project strategies

    		     

    Document for planning application

    		     

    Change control procedure implementation report

    		     

    Sustainability assessment report

    		     

    Procurement strategy report

    		     

    Developed construction strategy: H&S aspects

    		     

    Other (please specify)

    		     

    Stage 4-related questions

    Which of the following documents do you work on at RIBA Technical Design stage?

    Initiate (owner)

    Read/write (contributor)

    Read only (consultant)

    Comment (approve)

    Not applicable

    Technical design: Architectural design

    		     

    Technical design: Structural design

    		     

    Technical design: Building services systems (MEP)

    		     

    Technical design: Specifications

    		     

    Developed performance specified work

    		     

    Procurement strategy implementation report

    		     

    Document for building regulation submission

    		     

    Construction strategy (sequencing, programme and H&S report)

    		     

    Other (please specify)

    		     

    Stage 5-related questions

    Which of the following documents do you work on at RIBA Specialist Design stage?

    Initiate (owner)

    Read/write (contributor)

    Read only (consultant)

    Comment (approve)

    Not applicable

    Performance specified work

    		     

    Construction strategy report (construction sequence and critical path)

    		     

    Procurement strategy report

    		     

    Building contract administration

    		     

    Other (please specify)

    		     

    Stage 6-related questions

    Which of the following documents do you work on at RIBA Construction stage?

    Initiate (owner)

    Read/write (contributor)

    Read only (consultant)

    Comment (approve)

    Not applicable

    Offsite manufacturing plan

    		     

    Onsite construction plan

    		     

    Site Inspection report

    		     

    Administration of building contract report

    		     

    Soft landing strategy implementation report

    		     

    Other (please specify)

    		     

    Stage 7-related questions

    Which of the following documents do you work on at RIBA Use & Aftercare stage?

    Initiate (owner)

    Read/write (contributor)

    Read only (consultant)

    Comment (approve)

    Not applicable

    Soft landing strategy implementation report (e.g. post-occupancy evaluation)

    		     

    Building contract final report

    		     

    Project information report (for future project use)

    		     

    Project Information report (update in response to feedback from asset management and facility management)

    		     

    Other (please specify)

    		     

Appendix 2: Semi-structured interview guide

Start of interview

  • Provide a brief overview of the research topic project, taking care to avoid giving information that may prompt or influence the interviewee’s responses.

  • Tell the interviewee that there will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview.

  • Introduce myself to the interviewee.

  • Ask the interviewee to introduce him/herself.

  1. 1.

    Interviewee personal details

    1. 1.1.

      Name:

    2. 1.2.

      Gender:

    3. 1.3.

      Organisation:

    4. 1.4.

      City:

    5. 1.5.

      Qualifications:

    6. 1.6.

      Position:

    7. 1.7.

      Years of experience:

    8. 1.8.

      E-mail:

    9. 1.9.

      Date:

  2. 2.

    ICT and Collaboration practices in the current construction projects (Project Managers—BIM Managers—Construction Practitioners including Architects, Engineers, etc.)

    1. 2.1.

      Would you be kind enough to tell me about the context you have been engaged with BIM?

    2. 2.2.

      Have you faced any collaboration issues when you collaborate with other team members on construction projects? (related to: data, people or processes)

      1. 2.2.1.

        If yes, would you please briefly explain what they are and how you/your team solved them?

    3. 2.3.

      Could you please explain how the sharing/exchange of construction project’s data within team members is done?

      1. 2.3.1.

        Have you faced any technical problems when you share/exchange data?

    4. 2.4.

      Could you tell us which communication tools and software are used during a construction project for communicating with others? e.g. (Email, Web conferences, etc.)

    5. 2.5.

      Could you tell us about the methods are being used for storing/sharing project data during a construction project?

      1. 2.5.1.

        Have you used shared storage before? If yes, would you share your experience with us?

    6. 2.6.

      In your organisation’s collaboration and storage system, are there any access controls to the stored data based on actors’ roles, rights or responsibilities?

    7. 2.7.

      Are you familiar with any BIM related standards/protocols?

    8. 2.8.

      Do the existing standards promote collaboration and integration of BIM? e.g. COBie, BS 1192: 2007, and PAS1192-2.

      1. 2.8.1.

        If not, what do you think the solution would be?

    9. 2.9.

      Are there any management or governance policies for managing construction project data across supply chain during a construction project’s lifecycle?

  3. 3.

    BIM adoption barriers (Decision Makers—Contractors—Clients—BIM professionals—Project Managers—BIM Managers—Construction Practitioners)

    1. 3.1.

      In your opinion, what are the barriers to BIM adoption in the UK construction industry? In terms of:

      • Socio-organisational aspects

      • Legal aspects

      • Technical aspects

      • Contractual aspects

    2. 3.2.

      Do you think the UK government should help the construction industry to embrace and widely use Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in BIM adoption?

    3. 3.3.

      Are there any potential concerns when team members share/exchange data with each other’s? For example :

      • Contracts * Intellectual property

      • BIM model ownership * Data inconsistency

      • Privacy and security

      1. 3.3.1.

        Are there any other concerns?

  4. 4.

    Requirements of a BIM data governance model (Decision Makers—Contractors—Owners—BIM professionals—Construction Practitioners)

    1. 4.1.

      In your opinion, what are the factors that might lead to a successful collaboration across supply chain during a construction project’s lifecycle?

    2. 4.2.

      Do you think there is a need to develop a BIM data governance model which facilitates collaboration across supply chain during the building lifecycle?

      By BIM Governance I mean “The process of managing BIM data/document during the building lifecycle taken into account stakeholders’ rights and responsibilities over the managed BIM data/documents”.

      But more formal BIM governance definition is “the process of establishing a project information management policy across lifecycle and supply chains underpinned by a building information model taking into account stakeholders’ rights and responsibilities over project data and information” [9].

    3. 4.3.

      If yes, would you kindly tell us what you may require for such a model or a system?

    4. 4.4.

      In your opinion, what are the advantages and disadvantages of using distributed environments (cloud computing) as a sustainable storage solution for hosting project data?

  5. 5.

    Current management practices and technical support for virtual construction projects (Technicians—Project managers—BIM managers—Architects)

    1. 5.1.

      How do you setup the infrastructure for a virtual construction project?

  6. 5.2.

    How do you setup/configure the virtual environment for a construction project?

  7. 5.3.

    How do you manage (establish and maintain) the virtual environment of a construction project?

  8. 5.4.

    How do you manage people’s access rights to the stored documents within the virtual environment of a construction project?

  9. 5.5.

    What are the tools you use to manage the documents during the lifecycle of the virtual construction project?

  10. 5.6.

    Could you tell us what is the level of document management in your organisation? Is it managed at BIM document level or is it managed at the objects/component level within the BIM document?

  11. 5.7.

    What is your procedure for ending the virtual environment of a construction project?

End of the interview

  • Ask the interviewee if they have any further information they would like to share.

  • Ask the interviewee if s/he has any questions and provide responses.

  • Ask the interviewee if s/he is willing to participate in a future work related to the development.

  • Thank the interviewee for their time and help.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Alreshidi, E., Mourshed, M. & Rezgui, Y. Requirements for cloud-based BIM governance solutions to facilitate team collaboration in construction projects. Requirements Eng 23, 1–31 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00766-016-0254-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00766-016-0254-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation