Reader's Response Draft 1

In the article “3D building models help bring sustainability into construction”, Jenkin (2015) discusses the effectiveness of building information modelling (BIM) as well as the challenges of implementing it. The introduction of BIM has revolutionized the building and construction industry. According to Monswhite, the change of use from two to three-dimensional design with BIM enables the industry to reduce construction cost and optimise space management. While BIM boast advantages, Jenkins asserts that BIM is yet to be widely accepted in the building and construction industry. This is supported by Charlton, chief of consultancy Space Group, who argues that majority of the key players in the project lack collaboration and refuse to accept changes due to their preference towards traditional methods. In addition, Coventry University’s sustainability director; Smithson, states that these key players are unwilling to explore the functions of BIM. As a result, Smithson and her team operate the immersive simulation centre to educate industry professionals the uses of BIM and its benefits.

Although BIM has many benefits for the building and construction industry, several issues have become obstacles to successful implementation.

There are good points surfaced by the author stating the benefits of BIM. It has shown that with advancing technology, companies can maximise the efficiency of new end products being constructed and thus, minimising the cost of it. However, insufficient information was provided by the article to highlight difficulties company are facing. In the article “5 worst problems faced during BIM implementation”, Revit Modeling India (2015) explains the problems users are facing when using BIM. One of the reasons is the underwhelming responses from industrial companies, particularly to the smaller ones. They feel that the BIM technologies are dispensable and inessential for them because most standardised projects do not require the use of the software.

In addition, the implementation of BIM requires a substantial amount of capital to be invested. The ‘state of the art’ programme will also need someone who has the capability of using it. Hence, this will further increase cost of the BIM implementation project.

In the news article “Construction industry faces tough times.”, Wong & Ng (2017) reports the reasons behind the holding back on BIM implementation. This is supported by Madam Gwee Sung, director of Chong Tong construction who asserts that with the current declining housing market, it is not a suitable period to invest in any new technologies as this will increase her company’s operating cost. Mr Than King Huat, director of Singapore-listed Lian Beng Group construction further adds that the problem was never about BIM. The real problem lies in the difficulty to convince companies in accepting the implementation of BIM as it is just too expensive for small firms to do it.

Furthermore, the use of BIM will slow down the process of completing the job. This is stated by Beck (2016) who interviewed Hudson, vice president of Douglas Engineering Pacific Inc. He claims that even his company upgrade their computers every two years, the software will still slow down the computer as it requires a significant amount of memory to store files. BIM also requires precise and true data from the different parties that are involved in the project. This becomes very tedious as it is never easy to gather the team and put together the essential information.

Despite the right direction, BIM is heading to, the issue to even encourage organizations to implement the software poses questions and doubts. BIM has to realise that it is not why firms are staying away from the benefits of the software, the true problem lies in the difficulty to implement it.

References:

Jenkin, M. (2015). 3D building models help bring sustainability into construction. The Guardian. Retrieved September 26, 2017, from https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/apr/13/bim-technology-design-business-sustainability-construction

Beck, I. (2010). Growing Pains. Retrieved September 26, 2017, from http://www.ecmweb.com/design/growing-pains

Wong, S., & Ng, J. (2017). Construction industry faces tough times. The Straits Times. Retrieved September 26, 2017, from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/construction-industry-faces-tough-times

Revit Modeling India. (2015). 5 worst problems faced during BIM implementation. Retrieved September 26, 2017, from http://www.revitmodelingindia.com/the-5-worst-problems-faced-during-bim-implementation

Edited on September 30, 2017

Edited on October 5, 2017