Training gaps in the adoption of building information modelling by Nigerian construction professionals

Abstract

Purpose The opportunities that the building information modeling (BIM) mode of project delivery presents warrant the need for the construction professionals to be adequately trained on BIM technology and processes. The purpose of this paper is to assess the training gaps that exist between the perceived and expected knowledge of BIM practice among construction professionals in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The study was carried out through a structured questionnaire survey administered on identifying training gaps among registered Nigerian construction professionals toward BIM adoption. Relevant information on the perceived and expected BIM mode of practices was systematically collected from 212 participants who are familiar with BIM concepts. The data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics and gap analysis. Findings Gap analysis was employed in determining the significance of BIM training gap for various practices among the construction professionals. The most significant gaps in BIM practice with gap analysis value>1 are the project review technique and clash detection for architectural practice. Among quantity surveyors, cost estimating, preparation of bills of quantities and project budgeting are the practice areas where there are significant training gaps in adopting BIM. For engineering practices, the gap analysis reveals a significant training gap in design creation and coordination, as-built-modeling, clash detection and space management. Research limitations/implications The research is limited to the perception of the respondents on actual and ideal BIM practices, not considering the process workflow, facility requirements and other issues that revolve round BIM adoption and implementation. It is also limited to professionals in the industry, and further studies will be appropriate to address these limitations. Practical implications The study reveals that there is a great need to meet the training gaps for BIM adoption in ensuring efficiency of construction project delivery. Originality/value The gaps that exist between the actual and expected BIM training were statistically established.

Investigating the barriers to building information modeling (BIM) implementation within the Nigerian construction industry

“…Despite the disparity in the ranking of this barrier as shown in Table 5, no significant differences were found as evidenced by the results of the Kruskall-Wallis one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for "Data and intellectual property issues" (p 5 0.104 > 0.05). The findings are further consistent with previous studies which identified training gaps in adopting BIM with quantity surveyors amongst the construction professionals in most need (Oyewole and Dada, 2019).…”

“…Recently, there have been studies regarding BIM barriers in developing countries like Ghana (Oteng et al, 2018), Pakistan (Akdag and Masqood, 2019) and Yemen (Gamil and Rahman, 2019) but little research has been carried out in Nigeria context (Amuda-Yusuf et al, 2017;Anifowose et al, 2018;Hamma-adama and Kouider, 2019;Babatunde et al, 2020a). Whist there have been some studies on BIM within the Nigerian context, these have been limited to exploring the barriers to the incorporation of BIM into quantity surveying (QS) undergraduate curriculum in Nigerian universities, albeit from the lenses of students and academics ; identification of measures to improve the usage of BIM in the Nigerian building industry (Onungwa et al, 2017); assessment of the BIM training gaps (Oyewole and Dada, 2019); impact of BIM on collaboration (Onungwa and Uduma-Olugu, 2016); BIM awareness (Olapade and Ekemode, 2018); Barriers to BIM in SMEs (Saka and Chan, 2020); Benefits (Olawumi and Chan, 2019a), and drivers / barriers for BIM implementation Babatunde et al, 2020a). More so, the higher levels of BIM awareness in Nigeria do not necessarily translate into implementation (Saka and Chan, 2019c).…”

Comparative analysis of drivers to BIM adoption among AEC firms in developing countries

“…In addition, for studies that examined BIM adoption, awareness and implementation among AEC firms (Olugboyega and Aina, 2016; Onungwa et al , 2017; Ganiyu et al , 2018; Olabode and Umeh, 2018). Few studies assessed BIM training gaps among construction professionals (Oyewole and Dada, 2019). Few other studies examined BIM maturity level among AEC firms, comprising architectural firms, facility management firms, quantity surveying firms and structural engineering firms (Babatunde et al , 2019).…”

Barriers to BIM implementation and ways forward to improve its adoption in the Nigerian AEC firms

“…In addition, studies that examined BIM adoption, awareness, and implementation among Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) firms (see Olugboyega and Aina, 2016;Onungwa et al, 2017;Ganiyu et al, 2018;Olabode and Umeh, 2018). Few studies assessed BIM training gaps among construction professionals (see Oyewole and Dada, 2019). Few other studies examined BIM maturity level among AEC firms comprised architectural firms, facility management firms, quantity surveying firms, and structural engineering firms (see Babatunde et al, 2019).…”