Key requirements for effective implementation of building information modelling for maintenance management

Abstract

BIM is broadly useful in the construction industry, and it is a significant tool in maintenance management, yet it is regularly misinterpreted and not used adequately. Maintenance management is the complete administration of all amenities that supports the fundamental operations or uses of a building or facility. This study aims to evaluate the key requirements for the effective implementation of Building Information Modelling. A quantitative research method was adopted to achieve the aim of the study using a questionnaire survey. A total of one hundred and twenty-six questionnaires were retrieved from respondents in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The respondents include facility managers, construction managers, quantity surveyors, architects, and engineers. Retrieved data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study revealed that training of construction management staff; increased awareness of BIM; and full support from the owner are the key requirements while factor analysis clustered the requirements into three groups, namely top management commitment; awareness and training; and organizational technical capabilities. The study concluded that a huge responsibility is placed on the top management of an organization to promote the adoption of BIM for the maintenance management of infrastructure in the construction industry. The findings of the study are valuable to facility managers and facility stakeholders as it gives an insight into the implementation of BIM in the sector, which few studies have addressed since the advent of BIM globally.

Keywords:

• Building information modelling
• construction industry
• facility management
• maintenance management

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by Global Excellence Stature 4.0 PhD Bursary, School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Johannesburg to fund this research.

Disclosure statement

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.