BIM predicted to become ‘de facto’ standard, despite adoption slowdown ⁰

Increased workloads that limit the time available to implement new working practices is one of the reasons why the reported awareness and usage of BIM (Building Information Modelling) has fallen for the first time in five years. The fifth NBS National BIM Report, which looks at how UK building design professionals are adapting to the use of BIM, found that awareness and usage has fallen from 54 percent last year to 48 percent. However, out of 900 respondents to the survey, most believe BIM will become the ‘de facto’ standard for the design process within three years, as 92 percent expect to be using it within that timespan – and 95 percent within five years. With just months to go until the mandated use of Level 2 BIM on public sector projects in 2016, this year’s report looks at the built environment’s readiness.

It found a third of practitioners have reached Level 1 BIM, while practices reaching level 2 BIM requirements have grown to 59 percent, up from 51 percent the previous year.

And encouragingly for the Government and its UK BIM Task Group, the majority of respondents believe that it is “on the right track” and that the technology  will help reduce both costs and time, whilst 41 percent see it as a tool to aid a reduction in carbon emissions.

The report examines the industry’s assessment of the Government’s decision to place BIM, as an enabler, at the heart of its strategy. It finds that the industry broadly supports the Government’s approach, describing it as being on ‘the right track’. It sees BIM as assisting the UK meeting at least two key targets – 33 percent reduction in the cost of construction and whole life costs, and a 50 percent reduction in the overall time, from inception to completion.

The report found that those who have adopted BIM are more likely to be positive about it than those who have yet to adopt it, though users and non-users both agree that adoption requires changes in workflow, practices and procedures. Any business change can be difficult but only 4 percent wish they hadn’t adopted BIM and of those who have adopted it, 59 percent see cost efficiencies, 56 percent improved client outcomes, 51 percent increased speed of delivery and 48 percent increased profitability.

However, while four fifths of respondents agree that BIM is the future of construction information, 67 percent still believe the industry is not clear enough on what BIM is yet and only a quarter of respondents trust what they hear about BIM.

Commented Richard Waterhouse CEO, NBS and RIBA Enterprises: “In this report we see that BIM adoption is moving from being led by innovators and early adopters, towards being a more mature market, where the more mainstream are investigating and assessing the benefits of doing so. Time, levels of expertise and cost remain barriers to BIM adoption.

“There is still a lack of clarity in the industry, and many are sceptical of the claims made for BIM, by some.”

To download the full report click here.