CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Building Information Model is a perception which has been identified and viewed by many

authors in different ways. Karen (2020) defined BIM as an integrated, structured digital database,

informed by the architecture, engineering, and construction, operations (AECO) industry that

consist of 3D parametric objects and allow for interoperability. BIM is an improved process and

tool, which contains a set of virtual aspects, concepts and systems of a facility within one

environment (Azhar, et al 2019). Sacks (2018) described BIM as the utilization of a database

infrastructure to summarize built facilities with specific viewpoints of stakeholders, so that

stakeholders can query, simulate and estimate activities and monitor the building process as a

lifecycle entity. Arayici and Aouad (2018) also defined BIM as the use of ICT technologies to

streamline the building lifecycle processes to provide a safer and more productive environment

for its occupants, to assert the least possible environmental impact from its existence, and to be

more operationally efficient for its owners throughout the building lifecycle. Arayici and Coates

(2019) also viewed BIM in most simple terms as the utilization of a database infrastructure to

encapsulate built facilities with specific viewpoints of stakeholders. It is a methodology to

integrate digital descriptions of all the building objects and their relationships to others in a

precise manner, so that stakeholders can query, simulate and estimate activities and their effects

on the building process as a lifecycle entity.

BIM involves the detailed and complete replication of a building in a digital environment with

the sole goal of providing a collaborative platform for managing Building information

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throughout the lifecycle of a facility (Aouad et al., 2020). BIM is the process of creating a digital

parametric model which represents the physical and functional characteristic of a building in full

detail and further shared knowledge pool which can be used to form reliable decisions during the

design, construction phases and throughout the life cycle of the facility (Eastman et al., 2019;

Suranga and Weddikkara, 2019).

(Mohammed & Ahmad 2019) asserted that Construction companies are faced with the need to

innovatively integrate the construction process and address project development challenges. One

way of doing that is the integration of building information modeling (BIM) in the building

design and development cycles.

The need for increased productivity and higher return on investments in the construction industry

has become a great concern for industry stakeholders (Infocomm, 2011). Such decline in

productivity is bred by several factors resulting to increased wastages, rework, time overruns,

cost overruns, and adversarial relationships between project stakeholders (Infocomm, 2011;

Telaga, 2018; Iyorter, 2019).

Furthermore, the Nigerian construction industry accounts for 70% of fixed capital formation, yet

it contributes less to the economy when compared with other industries (Iyorter, 2019). The

industry accounts for 4% contribution to Gross Domestic Product and it is a cross cutting or

linkage industry which generates employment. The Nigerian construction industry faces

problems such as construction delays, time and cost overruns, abandonment of projects, power

shortage and corruption among others. In addition, the Nigerian construction industry isstuck in

traditional construction processes and fragmentation of work processes which leads to multiple

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exchanges of information between people, disciplines and project phases. Interestingly, studies

such as Iyorter (2019) and Abubakar et al. (2020) have shown that Building Information

Modelling (BIM) is capable of addressing these problems by promoting better integration of

construction processes and enabling project teams to collaborate and exchange project

information electronically. BIM is therefore aninnovative approach to building design,

construction and management which is gradually being implemented by countries such as United

Kingdom, United States, and New Zealand in order to address the challenges facing the industry

(Iyorter, 2019).

BIM is described as a set of interacting policies and processes that are being enabled by

technologies in generating a methodology to procure building works (Succar, 2009), purely from

inception through the construction process to completion and to the entire lifecycle of a building.

It aids the visualization of what is to be built in a simulated environment in order to identify

potential design, construction or operational problems of a facility. Despite established benefits

that BIM offers, the adoption of BIM in the Nigerian construction industry has been relatively

slow, which is believed to be associated to low level of awareness and utilization amongst

stakeholders (Ryal-Net and Kaduma, 2015). Abubakar et al. (2014) reported that many

developed economies of the world have recorded impressive outcomes by implementing BIM in

their construction practices but the developing countries including Nigeria have not.Kong et al.

(2020) reported that many surveys and researches show the effort of using BIM worldwide.

However, the challenges still exist since industrial players have certain reasons for not adopting

BIM in their projects. For developed countries, it was reported that the lack of adequate training

is the greatest challenge while cost of software and required hardware upgrades were reported to

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be the second greatest challenge (Kong et al.,2020). Also, the Smart-Market Report (2014)

showed that for the years of 2009, 2012 and 2014, the lack of demand is the top reason for not

adopting BIM among non-users in Australia, New Zealand and North America.

Developing countries, such as Nigeria, is also faced with similar challenges (Iyorter, 2019).

Hence, the need for this study.

1.2 Statement of the Research Problem

The Nigerian construction industry has faced so many criticisms across the globe for its

inefficiency and lack of productivity, which have been attributed to its fragmented nature.

(Abubakar et al., 2020). BIM is one of such innovative processes that promises to bring about the

continuous improvement and desired change in the construction industry and revolutionize the

processes of its operation to achieve better collaboration between project parties and ensure

successful project delivery (Abubakar et al., 2020; Telaga, 2018; Iyorter, 2019).

Hamma-Adama and Kouider (2018), Architecture Engineering and Construction business is

developing as a result of digital transition. This development became obvious since development

of BIM concept. However, this is yet to be achieved globally due to conventional nature of the

industry. BIM is the most recent development of the construction industry’s process and a

promising concept determined to shape the industry’s fragmented culture (Zhao etal., 2018).

Improvement of project cost control and conflict reductionare among the numerous benefits

associated with BIM (Telaga, 2018). Therefore, BIM has been widely adopted in many countries

to increase the productivity of construction projects. However, level of BIM utilization in

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construction industry varies among countries. While developed countries are among the early

implementer of BIM, its implementation in developing countries still poses many challenges.

Nigerian construction industry is besieged with problems such as increased wastages, rework,

time overruns, cost overruns, and adversarial relationships between project stakeholders and

these problems can be attributed to the low level of BIM adoption (Iyorter, 2019). In order to

address these problems, it is necessary to problems of building information modelling (BIM)

implementation in public building at the project planning stage in the Nigerian construction

industry using Ogun as the study area.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this Study work is to investigate the challenges hindering the implementation of

Building Information Modeling (BIM) in public building at the project planning stage in

Nigeria's construction industry.

The objectives are:

i. Examine the barriers to the problem of Building Information Modelling (BIM) Implementation

in public building at the project planning stage in the Nigeria's construction industry

ii. Determine the current level of awareness of stakeholders on Building Information Modelling

(BIM) Implementation in public building at the project planning stage for construction projects

in Nigerian

iii. Determine the pre - requisites for the problem of the implementation of Building Information

Modelling (BIM) in the execution of construction projects in Nigeria

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iv. Examine the level of problem for implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM)

in the execution of construction projects in Nigeria

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the current level of awareness and understanding of BIM capabilities among

construction professionals in Nigeria?

2. How do the costs of BIM software licenses impact the adoption rate among different sizes and

types of construction firms in Nigeria?

3. What strategies can be developed to foster collaboration and information sharing between

different stakeholders using BIM in a fragmented industry?

4. What specific policy changes or incentive programs could be implemented by the government

to promote BIM usage within the construction industry?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this project is mainly on the Studies on Building Information Modelling

(BIM) implementation in public building at the project planning stage in Nigeria's construction

industry are significant for addressing the challenges that hinder its adoption. These studies

pinpoint the specific roadblocks preventing Building Information Modelling (BIM) in public

building at the project planning stage use in Nigeria. This can include lack of awareness,

insufficient IT infrastructure, or a gap in skilled professionals.By understanding the challenges,

stakeholders can develop targeted solutions. This might involve government initiatives

promoting BIM education and standards, or industry efforts to improve software accessibility

and training.Repeated studies allow researchers to track changes in BIM adoption over time.

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This helps measure the effectiveness of implemented solutions and identify areas that need

further focus.The case of Nigeria offers valuable insights for other developing countries facing

similar hurdles in adopting BIM. These studies can inform broader strategies for BIM

implementation in the global south.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of a study on BIM implementation challenges public building at the project planning

stages in Nigeria's construction industry can cover various aspects. This could assess the current

level of BIM awareness among professionals, the skills gap in BIM proficiency, and the

resistance to change from traditional practices.This might explore the adequacy of existing IT

infrastructure, access to BIM software, and the challenges of interoperability between different

software programs.The study could examine how BIM can integrate with existing workflows in

Nigerian construction firms, identify potential disruptions, and suggest strategies for smooth

BIM adoption.This could involve investigating the lack of standardized BIM practices in

Nigeria, the challenges of fragmented regulations, and the need for industry-wide BIM

guidelines.The study could analyze the perceived costs of BIM implementation, explore potential

return on investment (ROI) from BIM use, and identify strategies for cost optimization.

1.7 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

Building Information Modelling (BIM):

An operational definition for BIM in this context could be: "A process for creating and managing

a digital representation of a facility throughout its lifecycle, including its physical and functional

characteristics. This digital model serves as a central source of information for all stakeholders

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involved in the construction project." BIM can be operationally defined as a digital

representation of physical and functional characteristics of a building or infrastructure project. It

involves creating and managing digital information throughout the project lifecycle, enabling

stakeholders to collaborate, make informed decisions, and optimize project outcomes.

BIM Implementation:

"The successful integration of BIM processes, technologies, and workflows into the project

delivery system of a construction project in Nigeria. This includes acquiring necessary BIM

software, training personnel, establishing BIM protocols, and utilizing BIM throughout the

project lifecycle." BIM implementation refers to the process of integrating BIM technology,

processes, and workflows into the design, construction, and operation of buildings and

infrastructure projects in the Nigerian construction industry.

Challenge:

"A significant obstacle or difficulty hindering the widespread adoption and effective use of BIM

in the Nigerian construction industry. Challenges can be related to people, technology, processes,

standards, or costs." Challenges in the context of BIM implementation and the Nigerian

construction industry can be operationally defined as barriers, obstacles, or difficulties that

hinder the effective adoption, utilization, or realization of the benefits of BIM technology in

construction projects.

Stakeholders: "Individuals or organizations with an interest in the construction project, such as

architects, engineers, contractors, clients, and facility managers." Stakeholders are individuals,

organizations, or entities involved in or affected by BIM implementation in the Nigerian

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construction industry. This may include architects, engineers, contractors, clients, government

agencies, industry associations, and educational institutions.

Interoperability: "The ability of different BIM software applications to seamlessly exchange data

and collaborate on a single project model."

Return on Investment (ROI): "The net benefit of BIM implementation in a construction project,

measured by the financial gains achieved through improved efficiency, reduced costs, or higher

quality outcomes."