BEIIC - BIM Economic Study

As of 14th July 2010 we thank our newest sponsor Polyfor for their important contribution and welcome Peter Bates and Kevin Doidge on the Working Committee.

buildingSMART argued that a key step in the selection of digital technologies, such as BIM, for the built environment was to evaluate the potential economic benefit on their adoption across the sector. We provided a draft scope of such a study, anticipating that with the results of such an analysis, it could underpin strategic policy setting for the whole of the Industry.

After some months of negotiating supporting funding with several potential partners, on 30 Apr 2010, buildingSMART signed a contract with DIISR on behalf of six other industry organisations to manage a study being carried out by Allen Consulting, to examine the productivity benefits from the adoption of building information and related technologies. 

The primary objectives of the study are:

• Brief review of the current state of play of BIM in the construction process and review of existing national and international literature on economic benefits of BIM; and
• A cost benefit analysis of the impacts of BIM in the buildings sector in Australia, addressing:
• productivity benefits of BIM adoption and industry estimates about the costs of implementing this technology; and
• costs and benefits for different players in the sector, including construction firms, building product suppliers, design firms, property owners and facility management firms; and
• qualitative analysis of non quantifiable costs and benefits associated with increased uptake of BIM including the transition and behavioral costs and cultural change issues;
• An economy wide analysis of the overall economic impact that the adoption of BIM will have on the Australian economy.

The partners cover a diverse cross-section of the industry: ARUP, Atlas Industries, Australian Institute of Architects, BlueScope Steel, buildingSMART Australasia, Built Environment Design Professions, NATSPEC and Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, and now Polyflor.

Following a comprehensive collection of international and local references it has been determined to undertake a national Industry survey of the built environment professions to determine the current adoption and usage of BIM in the australian construction sector.  

This survey will be designed with the assistance of the Faculty of Built & Natural Environment, UNISA, who are researching the needs of BIM Education for Engineers. 

The survey - to be hosted by Natspec, and web based - will be commence on 7 July and close on 23 July 2010. Its usage data will be a key input to the Economic Analysis.

 If you would like to support the Industry Survey or Economic Study or participate please contact John Mitchell here.