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Building Information Modeling in Architecture, Engineering,

and Construction: Emerging Research


Directions and Trends
Burcin Becerik-Gerber, A.M.ASCE1; and Karen Kensek2
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Abstract: Currently, the architecture, engineering, and construction industry is facing enormous technological and institutional changes
and challenges including the proliferation of information technology and appropriate application of sustainable practices. The 21st century
engineer and architect must be able to deal with a rapid pace of technological change, a highly interconnected world, and complex
problems that require multidisciplinary solutions. This paper focuses on research directions and trends around building information
modeling 共BIM兲 through interdisciplinary endeavors: how BIM research topics could be explored; their relevancy; and their potential
future impact. It identifies BIM research topics that are considered to be important to a wide range of practitioners and future practitioners,
both architecture and engineering students. It also assesses the relevance of current research projects to the industry and categorizes future
BIM research topics. It aims to formulate research ideas and methodologies to pursue them and to explore how an industry/academic
partnership for exploring exciting research opportunities could be established.
DOI: 10.1061/共ASCE兲EI.1943-5541.0000023
CE Database subject headings: Sustainable development; Construction industry; Research; Information technology; Buildings.
Author keywords: Building information modeling; Sustainable development; Construction industry; Research; Information technology;
Virtual design and construction.

Introduction tion engineering and management research in several ways: better


integrated delivery of construction; new governance structures for
The architecture, engineering, and construction 共AEC兲 industry, projects that can support a more global construction industry; and
often acknowledged as a low-technology and an inefficient indus- enhanced sustainability through new approaches, methods, and
try 共Gallaher et al. 2004兲, is the largest industry in the United information technology. Bakens 共1997兲 suggested that growing
States 共Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis partnership between research community and industry, interna-
2004兲 and one of the largest in the world accounting for one-tenth tionalization of competition and collaboration in the research
of the world’s gross domestic product 共Murie 2007兲. Currently, community, growing emphasis on integrated topics and ap-
the industry is facing enormous technological and institutional proaches in research, information technology in construction,
electronic collaboration, and sustainable development and con-
transformations with their resultant difficulties and challenges.
struction are the six international research trends and priorities
One very important instrument to such change is the use of infor-
in the construction industry. Turk 共2007兲 outlined topics and
mation technology and application of sustainable practices. Sev-
agendas for construction informatics in European research in four
eral scholars recognize these two major trends in their research
categories: common infrastructures; communication and coordi-
and publications. According to Adeli 共2009兲, civil and environ-
nation technologies; processes supporting information and com-
mental engineering programs in many U.S. universities should munication technologies; and supporting themes such as business
promote sustainability, embrace technology, focus on environ- process reengineering. The 21st century engineer and architect
ment and infrastructure, think cross disciplinary, and advocate an must be able to deal with a rapid pace of technological change, a
intelligent system approach to keep their momentum in attracting highly interconnected world, and complex problems that require
students and resources. According to Levitt 共2007兲 three emerging multidisciplinary solutions. Both architecture and engineering
trends suggest the need to broaden the frame of future construc- professions are embracing new modes of interdisciplinary infor-
mation sharing and focusing on two emerging and fast growing
1
Assistant Professor, Sonny Astani Dept. of Civil and Environmental concepts: building information modeling 共BIM兲 and integrated
Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, USC, 3620 S. Vermont Ave., project delivery 共IPD兲. A mutually beneficial industry/academia
KAP 224C, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2531 共corresponding author兲. collaboration will lead to a growth in strategic research and also
E-mail: [email protected] would address concerns of Issa and Anumba 共2007兲 about com-
2
Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, Watt Hall, USC, WAH puting and information technology research in civil engineering
204, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0291. E-mail: [email protected]
and architecture being self-fulfilling rather than industry trans-
Note. This manuscript was submitted on June 15, 2009; approved on
December 1, 2009; published online on December 4, 2009. Discussion forming. While there is a wide range of definitions for BIM 关As-
period open until December 1, 2010; separate discussions must be sub- sociated General Contractors of America 共AGC兲 2006; General
mitted for individual papers. This paper is part of the Journal of Profes- Services Administration 共GSA兲 2007; BuildingSmart Alliance
sional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, Vol. 136, No. 3, 共bSa兲 共2006兲兴, in the context of this paper, the following definition
July 1, 2010. ©ASCE, ISSN 1052-3928/2010/3-139–147/$25.00. is used: a modeling technology and associated set of processes to

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J. Prof. Issues Eng. Educ. Pract. 2010.136:139-147.


Architect Construction Management
Civil Engineering
Consultant
Building Science
Contractor Architecture
Mechanical Engineering
Technology Provider
Business Administration
Engineer
Policy Planning and Development

Developer Structural Engineering


Electrical Engineering
Other
Aerospace Engineering
Owner Systems Engineering

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
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Fig. 1. Firm profiles of respondents of the first survey. “Other” in- Fig. 2. Student majors
cluded project management and design/build firms. Several respon-
dents self-categorized themselves in multiple firm groups 共for
example, architect and contractor兲.
Surveys
Three online surveys were conducted to assess the interest of the
industry and student body on various BIM research topics. The
objective of the first survey was to gather a list of potential re-
produce, communicate, and analyze building models 共Eastman et
search topics while developing a list of practitioners, who would
al. 2008兲 and interfaces, methods, and applications that are perti-
be interested in participating in interdisciplinary research projects.
nent to BIM technology, including but not limited to the follow-
The first survey was sent to a total of 110 practitioners. The list
ing: sustainable practices, management and organizational issues
was developed based on writers’ personal contacts and their
around technology, and assisting technologies and methods.
schools’ connections with the industry. It was not the writers’
intent to survey an extremely large selection of practitioners. In-
stead, the selection of practitioners to be invited to take the survey
Research Objectives and Scope was based on two criteria: 共1兲 demonstrated strong interest in the
area of research and 共2兲 demonstrated interest in applying con-
The objective of this research is to identify innovative research struction related research. A total of 54 responses was received
topics and trends in the area of BIM in AEC through interdisci- from February 20, 2009 to April 17, 2009 共Fig. 1兲.
plinary endeavors. One of the main goals is to bring together Based on the responses to the first survey, a second survey was
academic and professional expertise from multiple disciplines to developed and distributed from March 13, 2009 to April 17, 2009
discuss current problems and speculate on new solutions for the to a total of 44 participants. The second survey was automatically
future and identify research topics that could advance the state of sent to the respondents who indicated their interest in participat-
the art. There are methodological differences between this study ing in research in the first survey. The goal of the second survey
and the much larger road mapping projects such as the project of was to identify specific research topic areas. Based on the second
ROADCON 共2003兲 共Strategic Roadmap toward Knowledge- survey, as well as the students’ opinion about the most important
Driven Sustainable Construction兲, project of ICCI 共2004兲 共Inno- topics when they graduate, three sessions and four panels for each
vation, Coordination Transfer and Deployment through session 共a total of 12 panels兲 were identified: “BIM for project life
Networked Cooperation in the Construction Industry兲, and Capi- cycle” 关for design and engineering, for construction, and for fa-
tal Project Technology Roadmap project of FIATECH 共2009兲. The cility management 共FM兲兴, “BIM and sustainable practices” 共sus-
focus of this research project is limited to BIM; it does not look tainable practices in architecture, engineering, and construction,
for an industry-wide consensus; and unlike these other studies, it linking BIM to analysis tools, sustainability during construction,
investigates the research questions from the industry’s and stu- and afterward energy innovations兲, and “building information
dents’ perspectives while exploring the role of research commu- management” 共IPD, interoperability, changes to practice, BIM
nity in leading collaborative projects with practitioners. best practices兲.
The paper continues with an explanation of the research ap- In an attempt to compare industry’s research interests to the
proach and methodology. Then, it discusses the data that were students’ understanding of the profession, a third survey was de-
gathered through three online surveys, a research workshop with signed and distributed to students at the School of Architecture
practitioners, and student input through a final report. Next, it and Department of Civil Engineering of the University of South-
presents and discusses the research directions and trends includ- ern California via course lists. An attempt was made to send the
ing how BIM research topics could be explored, their relevancy, survey not to all students but to those who had some knowledge
and potential future impact. A discussion for future research and of the field. A total of 79 students completed the survey from
education follows. April 7, 2009 to April 17, 2009. Student majors and years were
spread throughout appropriate engineering and architecture ma-
jors as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
Research Approach and Methodology
Workshop
A mixed research methodology, including a series of online sur-
veys, a research workshop, and student reports, was implemented The research workshop was held on April 21, 2009. Specifically,
to gather and analyze data. its mission was have the participants formulate research ideas,

140 / JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND PRACTICE © ASCE / JULY 2010

J. Prof. Issues Eng. Educ. Pract. 2010.136:139-147.


Building Information Technology and 43%
PhD Management 89%

Integrated Project Delivery 42%


87%
Masters BIM for Sustainable Design/ 58%
Construction 83%

BIM and Fabrication 24%


Senior (4th and 5th year) 59%
Construction Automation and 20%
Simulation 50%
Junior 53%
Energy Innovations 46%

Post-occupancy Evaluation 13%


Sophmore 31%

Other 4%
13%
Freshman
I don't know 4%
2%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
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0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Students Practitioners
Fig. 3. Student levels
Fig. 4. Areas of research that practitioners are interested in and areas
of research that students think that will be most important in their
determine methodologies to pursue them, and explore how an profession when they graduate
industry/academic partnership for exploring exciting research op-
portunities could be established. Main goals for this workshop
were to Management students. Although students knew of the topic areas,
1. identify the most promising avenues of BIM research; they could write about any research topic that was BIM related,
2. discuss with practitioners the practical implementation and innovative, and that could improve the current practice in the
application issues; AEC industry.
3. identify and develop linkages between the 12 research areas/
panels; and
4. promote industry/academic collaboration on all aspects of Research Directions and Trends
AEC related research.
A total of 30 participants, who expressed interest in a one-day Fig. 4 shows research areas practitioners are interested in 共based
research workshop in the second survey, from 26 companies at- on the first survey兲 and students’ answers to the question of what
tended the workshop. The breakdown for firm profiles is as fol- areas will be most important in their profession when they gradu-
lows: six architecture, six engineering, six technology providers, ate 共based on the third survey兲. Building information technology
and eight builders. Overall, the participants are considered leaders and management 共89%兲, IPD 共87%兲, and BIM for sustainable
in the field, who are well acquainted with the technology from design and construction 共83%兲 were the top three choices of prac-
direct experience in their firms. titioners. The “other” category for practitioner answers included
Interdisciplinary panels of six to eight participants focused on integrated structural analysis, real estate/portfolio analysis, web-
a particular topic; these panels were arranged to provide a broad enabled technologies, field BIM, interoperability, BIM quality as-
interdisciplinary mixing of professionals. Each panel discussion surance, and code compliance. Students placed BIM for
lasted about 45 min with a 5-min summary that was presented to sustainable design and construction and energy innovations at the
the entire audience at the end. Specific questions and topic areas top of their importance level. BIM technology and management
to discuss were provided to each panel. These included the fol- and IPD related research topics followed as the third and fourth
lowing: describing an innovative research idea; providing at least choices of students. The other category for student answers in-
three research questions and goals for the idea proposed; propos- cluded leadership in energy and environmental design 共LEED兲, a
ing a methodology to overcome barriers to accomplish these certification system used in the United States to categorize the
goals; listing potential research outcomes and deliverables to level of environmentally sustainable buildings, estimation, and
allow for the adoption of these research outcomes by the industry management of the construction process. IPD, a key topic of con-
and their potential to move computing in AEC forward in a mean- cern by professionals, was fourth choice of students, at 42%.
ingful way; and to project what the research idea’s significance In light of the surveys conducted, results of the workshop, and
would be for current and future researches. the student reports, research areas are categorized into three areas:
BIM for project life cycle, BIM and sustainable practices, and
building information management. Figs. 5–7 show the practitio-
Student Reports
In parallel to the research workshop, as part of a class project,
BIM for Design & Engineering (S)
students were asked to contribute their insight and opinions to the
same research topics. However, the student reports used a differ- BIM for Design & Engineering (P)

ent method to gather student ideas on research topics in BIM. BIM for Construction (S) ranked 1

Students had two weeks to explore the same questions and pro- BIM for Construction (P) ranked 2

vide a written document back to the instructor. The work was not BIM for Facilities Management (S)
ranked 3
ranked 4
collaborative; all students initiated and researched the topic idea BIM for Facilities Management (P)
themselves. Most of the 24 students were upper division 共2 were
in the Bachelor of Architecture program兲 or a graduate student in 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

architecture 共8 were in Master of Building Science and 11 were in


Master of Architecture兲. The remaining three students were a se- Fig. 5. Practitioners’ and students’ rankings of topics based on the
nior in Construction Management and two Master of Construction relative importance of research—BIM for project life cycle

JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND PRACTICE © ASCE / JULY 2010 / 141

J. Prof. Issues Eng. Educ. Pract. 2010.136:139-147.


Sustainability in AEC (S) tainable design; rethinking of IPD as a method to promote BIM;
Sustainability in AEC (P)
educational ramifications; return on investment; and management
issues throughout the life cycle of the project.
Linking BIM to analysis tools (S)
One BIM throughout the project life cycle or multiple views.
ranked 1
Linking BIM to analysis tools (P) The need to maintain a single project information database from
Sustainability during constr. & ranked 2
afterwards (S)
project conception through fabrication and installation and into
ranked 3
Sustainability during constr. &
ranked 4
operation and maintenance was raised both by practitioners and
afterwards (P)
Energy Innovations (S)
students multiple times. However, more research needs to be ac-
complished to fully realize the potential of fully integrated
Energy Innovations (P)
graphic and nongraphic databases that describes the building and
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% incorporates appropriate information at every stage of its life. The
topic of interoperability has received remarkable attention both
Fig. 6. Practitioners’ and students’ rankings of topics based on the
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from the industry and academia, but there are widely varying
relative importance of research—BIM and sustainable practices opinions as to how this will actually happen 共from a single BIM
model to a multilayered system based heavily on IFC, which is
the only public standard for building model data exchange that
ners’ 共based on the second survey兲 and students’ 共based on the
includes geometry, object structure, and material and performance
third survey兲 rankings weighing of the relative importance of top-
attributes兲 共Jeong et al. 2009兲. Many practitioners believe that the
ics. IPD was considered a crucial research topic area, with BIM
integration 共or lack thereof兲 of the software is currently a barrier
for construction by both practitioners and students. When second
choices are included, linking BIM to analysis tools is one of the in the present implementation of BIM. With multiple vendors
top choices for practitioners and BIM best practices and is one of developing modeling products with proprietary file formats, the
the top choices from students. Energy innovation topics are con- sharing of information creates challenges with respect to accuracy
sidered as an important research area in the second rank tier and, and dependability of the models. The solution, whether it is one
for students, tied for top overall. Sustainable practice category BIM for project life cycle or multiple interoperable views for
showed the greatest spread in the students’ perception of relative different specialties, should enable 共1兲 information sharing be-
importance of these areas. The results confirm that the students yond the exchange of three-dimensional geometry; 共2兲 the long-
are aware of IPD and its importance. Of all the 12 topics, term archiving of BIMs in a format that can be repurposed
“changes to practice” and “BIM for FM” are listed as the least throughout the building life cycle; and 共3兲 breaking up the model
interesting topics for both practitioners and students when first so that it can be used and updated transparently by many appli-
and second choices are included. The later could be attributed to cations and users.
the fact that owners did not respond to the surveys as enthusias- Coordination with sustainable practices. Students’ interest in
tically as the rest of the groups although a comparable sample size sustainability was overwhelming in the survey and in the topics
of owners was invited to participate. discussed. Part of this can be attributed to the concern for sustain-
Tables 1–3 summarize topics of interests, research priority, able practices being emphasized at the university. Students indi-
research questions, and barriers identified by the practitioners and cated that they strongly believe in delivering the best possible
students. It is useful to summarize the students’ choice of research product in the least possible time, with the least harm to the
topics for their reports. The top four choices were interoperability environment. This area of research also received the high interest
共25%兲, BIM for construction 共16.7%兲, linking BIM to analysis from practitioners. The consensus was whether it is through the
tools 共12.5%兲, and BIM for design and engineering 共8.3%兲. use of smarter materials or a more user-friendly system of mea-
suring building performance, simulation is the most critical step
to creating a more sustainable environment. There is an agree-
ment that how to best achieve sustainable buildings is a crucial
Discussion on Research and Education Needs
research topic and BIM may be able to accomplish this. One
The following common themes for future research and education example is the use of BIM as the gateway to LEED requirements
have been identified as being critical to the development and where synergies exist: i.e., day lighting, water consumption, and
implementation of BIM in the AEC profession: the concept of one reuse and recyclable material tracking 共Haynes 2008兲.
virtual database versus linked information; coordination with sus- Rethinking of IPD to promote BIM. IPD is a predesign to con-
struction method that creates a collaborative environment re-
quired for the most comprehensive use of BIM by aligning the
incentives and goals of all team members; it addresses the prob-
IPD (S)
lems associated with traditional delivery methods and provides
IPD (P) another alternative. The consensus was that while BIM is gaining
Interoperability (S) momentum, except for a few notable exceptions, IPD is slower to
Interoperability (P) ranked 1 catch on. According to the practitioners, some owners believe that
ranked 2
Changes to practice (S) by using an IPD contract, some of the creative tension between
ranked 3
Changes to practice (P)
the architect and the contractor could be lost. With that in mind,
ranked 4
practitioners discussed what IPD means and what their IPD ex-
BIM best practices (S)
perience is. Although many of the practitioners indicated that they
BIM best practices (P)
have been on IPD-like projects, they did not have direct IPD
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% project experience. They indicated that IPD as the most important
topic as a methodology to support using BIM. IPD was the most
Fig. 7. Practitioners’ and students’ rankings of topics based on the mentioned research topic area by the students as well. Students
relative importance of research—building information management expressed that seamless integration of BIM use across the indus-

142 / JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND PRACTICE © ASCE / JULY 2010

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Table 1. Topics, Research Priority, Questions, and Barriers Identified by the Practitioners and Students for BIM for Project Life-Cycle Areas
Topics of interests Topics of interests
Area identified by practitioners identified by students Research priority Research questions Barriers
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BIM for design and 共1兲 Use of BIM for master 共1兲 Development of a parametric Object oriented and independent What kinds of databases exist Legal contracts; lack of
engineering planning, feasibility studies engine that generates design database that is software agnostic and today; what are the methods and interoperability
共cost, performance, and alternatives based on project global as it hosts data not only for techniques to host all project
coordination兲, plan checking, and information 共site conditions, weather design and engineering but also for all information; what kind of activities
conceptual design; 共2兲 effect of data, geography, building codes, and project team members’ requirements should be supported; and what
BIM on innovation; and 共3兲 role “kind of architecture preferred”兲 to and needs for the project life cycle levels of extensibility exist?
JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND PRACTICE © ASCE / JULY 2010 / 143

of BIM in decision making find the “best” possible design given


共structural configuration, system the constraints
choice, and building
performance兲
BIM for construction 共1兲 Model based scheduling, 共1兲 Development of a coordinated Standardized, user-friendly, and Attitude 共resistance to
Who owns the coordinated model;
material tracking, model to be used across all phases cross-cultural field staff training and who generates, produces, and change兲, training
constructability, and direct of the project; 共2兲 training of field user-interface/hardware development 共investment and loss of
organizes the effort; what are the
fabrication; 共2兲 transition of staff; and 共3兲 field capable hardware for transfer of BIMs to the field staff methods of delivery to trades; and
productivity兲, language
visualization to the field; and 共3兲 and software, specific to the barriers 共associated with
what should the interface for the
integration of BIM to construction industry field personnel be like? the field staff performing
multisensor technologies to the work兲; lack of
produce accurate existing rewards, and increased
condition assessments risk associated with
changing work processes
to adopt model-centric
processes
BIM for FM 共1兲 Use of BIM for existing 共1兲 Development of a framework for Determination and definition of core How to leverage the value that BIM Lack of software
buildings, real estate portfolio continuity in the flow of information sets of data that are common elements brings to a project to benefit end interoperability;
analysis, master planning, and in a coordinated/comprehensive for FM and postoccupancy operations users; how BIM can be used to resistance to
feasibility; 共2兲 integrating BIM manner; 共2兲 development of a that can eventually become part of improve building performance? fundamental change by
with FM and operation software method for updates and maintenance contract language large institutions; and
checks; and 共3兲 linking large lack of objective and
manuals and important documents scientific studies that
with BIM quantify the value of
BIM for FM

J. Prof. Issues Eng. Educ. Pract. 2010.136:139-147.


Table 2. Topics, Research Priority, Questions, and Barriers Identified by the Practitioners and Students for BIM and Sustainable Practice Areas
144 / JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND PRACTICE © ASCE / JULY 2010

Topics of interests identified Topics of interests identified


Area by practitioners by students Research priority Research questions Barriers
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Sustainable 共1兲 Modeling entire built 共1兲 Design schemes 共such as Development of a list of best What are the best practices for Accuracy of as-built models to be
practices environment to investigate impact innovative envelopes兲 to reduce practices for the industry, sustainability; how does BIM used for life cycle sustainability;
in the AEC of buildings and their energy consumption; 共2兲 energy sustainable metrics, training assist with innovative AEC lack of energy monitoring over a
industry surroundings; 共2兲 exploring efficient city design; 共3兲 designing programs, and education tools; a sustainable practices? building’s life cycle; and lack of
systems to minimize material use net-zero energy buildings; 共4兲 knowledge base that focuses on tools designed specifically for
and energy consumption; and 共3兲 biomimicry; and 共5兲 use of BIM the overall carbon footprint of a owners
standardization of carbon in adaptive reuse projects building over its life cycle
databases
Linking BIM to 共1兲 Investigation of the gaps in 共1兲 Developing a library of Identification of criteria for the How can real-time performance Autonomous technology
analysis tools the type of data project team sustainable design objects that are development of an associated and sustainability feedback development that does not support
members use throughout project exact digital representations of database that eliminates the need from/within BIM be achieved; are a nonproprietary database;
life cycle; 共2兲 one model that can
physical objects; 共2兲 developing for multiple models 共architectural, there better ways to use intuitive interoperability
accommodate multiple schemas direct connections with analytical, and structural兲 and programs to quantify sustainable
or a multimodel solution; and 共3兲mechanical system manufacturers enables real-time environmental solutions; and what are the
interoperability between BIM and for access to product information, analysis attributes the database would
energy simulation programs pricing, and lifetime energy have to include?
performance
Sustainability 共1兲 Reducing waste by optimizing 共1兲 Building automation systems Development of an open standard What are the data needed from Technology related issues such as
during materials, fabrication, that can control building systems that software providers can project team to be used how to create a seamless interface
construction and construction sequence, and automatically based on indoor/ comply with and that can be postoccupancy by the FM groups; between FM software and BIM;
afterward durations with the use of BIM; outdoor climate and human written into legal documents what are the specific case intellectual property concerns;
共2兲 linking a live model to comfort levels; 共2兲 postoccupancy histories or project examples? client expectations; and appealing
building management systems for energy modeling verification; and to smaller versus larger institutions/
energy conservation and 共3兲 identification of reasons that owners
monitoring cause buildings to underperform
Energy innovations 共1兲 Use of BIM in achieving 共1兲 Efficient building envelopes Development of specifications and How BIM can be used to reduce Interoperability; lack of industry
multiobjective optimization; 共2兲 that produce energy; 共2兲 using fluid standards to link analysis energy consumption of buildings motivation
trade-off analysis of competing recycled building materials; 共3兲 packages to BIM packages for by studying early design
sustainability parameters; and 共3兲 providing cost-effective solutions multiobjective, physically based, strategies, new materials, and
real-time information processing where return on investment is real-time decision making mechanical equipment?
for decision making high; and 共4兲 developing
regulations that would indirectly
create economies of scale

J. Prof. Issues Eng. Educ. Pract. 2010.136:139-147.


Table 3. Topics, Research Priority, Questions, and Barriers Identified by the Practitioners and Students for Building Information Management Areas
Topics of interests identified Topics of interests identified
Area by practitioners by students Research priority Research questions Barriers
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IPD 共1兲 Exploration of contracts, 共1兲 Using cutting edge Development of best practice IPD Which of the underlying Liability insurance and current
risks, relationships, insurance, technologies within an IPD case studies so that professionals problems that block widespread contractual models; current public
frameworks, and best practices framework that can create an who are not familiar with using adoption of IPD can actually be procurement policy and the
to fully integrate BIM and IPD; integrated team approach, IPD can get assurance of how the improved and/or eliminated; can emphasis on first year costs
共2兲 demonstration of the benefits streamline the construction profits have played out both on one solve some of these problems
of IPD to the owners; and process, and enable an overall successful and nonsuccessful through BIM technology?
JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND PRACTICE © ASCE / JULY 2010 / 145

共3兲 collecting best practice IPD quicker building delivery examples


case studies
Interoperability 共1兲 Research into the existing 共1兲 Effectiveness of the IFC and Specifications for a product Is true interoperable necessary Lack of software provider
BIM standards and how they are GBxml; 共2兲 a data interactive life-cycle management platform between software programs or is motivation; lack of standards and
being used and to which extend BIM microapplication; and 共3兲 that integrates all disciplines’ it possible to have a middle too many standards
they are successfully adopted; assessing the feasibility and analytical and physical objects for server, which is software
共2兲 research how the software functionality of creating the entire simulation and performance independent and can provide the
industry can agree on and world’s built environment in appropriate model to the
develop true interoperability digital format to unite geographic/ appropriate user?
functionality semantic info
Changes to 共1兲 Fee allocations, schedule/ *Most of the students did have Identification of the new fee What are the additional services; Lack of knowledge on the owners’
practice phase durations, coordination of much to comment on the issue of allocation when designing and when and what to charge for side; difficulty in comparing
consultants, and training junior/ changes to practice although it is building with BIM and new them; what are some of the best project programs; and resistance to
senior staff; 共2兲 forensic studies this generation of students that is management practices practices in these areas; and what sharing proprietary data
on past projects to determine at the cusp of the paradigm shift* are contract structures that
successful and unsuccessful support these services?
methods; and 共3兲 in-depth
comparisons of traditional versus
collaborative projects
BIM best practices 共1兲 Setting BIM workflows 共1兲 A case study that has the Means and methods for When should BIM be Lack of legal support/definitions;
from design to postoccupancy; potential to serve as a role model realization of the model as a true implemented and why; what level highly fragmented industry
共2兲 maintaining a single BIM for future BIM projects; 共2兲 construct of collaboration and of information is needed at each
throughout project phases 共or survey of the legal and technical contract stage and who is responsible for
not兲; 共3兲 managing large models; aspects of BIM implementation; it; and how to work
and 共4兲 clear definitions for BIM and 共3兲 thorough research into the collaboratively on the model共s兲?
deliverables specific BIM software available

J. Prof. Issues Eng. Educ. Pract. 2010.136:139-147.


try is extremely important to overcome and might alleviate com- of the others. These new concepts and other related processes and
munication issues among project team members. Students believe technologies could assist a virtual vertical integration in the AEC
that poor communication across project team members leads to industry both at the project and enterprise levels. Results demon-
strained relationships, animosity, and delay, all of which can strated commonality in the goals of the major participants in the
negatively impact project outcomes. building process while highlighting some smaller differences be-
Educational ramifications. Not only do these projects have to tween the views of the practitioners and students. This paper dem-
span across the “trades” but also academic disciplines. New part- onstrates that research topic for BIM is a significant topic for the
nerships need to be forged and ways of educating students should AEC industry, that the industry has matured beyond sweeping
be modified. Advanced uses of BIM should be more heavily in- generalizations about the usefulness of BIM, and that leaders in
corporated in AEC management curriculums. Using this technol- the profession would like to see very specific research goals iden-
ogy at an early stage of education can help prepare future tified and developed by both the profession and the academy to-
professionals to practice efficient methods. Degree programs need gether.
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to address IPD, BIM, and sustainability topics in the undergradu-


ate programs, in more sophisticated Master level courses, and as
prime research objectives for doctoral students. An integrated stu- Acknowledgments
dio concept, using real life case studies, and thinking beyond the
current state of the industry to image and prototype new tools for The writers would like to acknowledge and thank three important
the profession with their input and direction should be considered. groups: the USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s assistance and
As building industry shifts toward adopting IPD, the education financial support in organizing the AEC Leadership Research
system should take a more collaborative approach in teaching. Workshop, the practitioners and students, who took the time to
Students from different schools could produce required drawings, answer and put sincere efforts in completing three consequent
documents, and studies needed to realize a building using the surveys and student reports, and the workshop attendees, without
AIA’s definition of the IPD process 共AIA California Council them this study would not be possible.
2007兲. Furthermore, organized educational efforts focusing not
only on future practitioners but also on current practitioners are a
must. Although concepts discussed in this paper are sweeping
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J. Prof. Issues Eng. Educ. Pract. 2010.136:139-147.

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