Short answer

When proposing or implementing BIM for cost estimating, proactively address industry-specific challenges and tailor the approach based on regional adoption patterns and existing infrastructure.

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: Purdue e-Pubs (Purdue University System) (2015)
Method: Comparative industry perception study
Evidence: Moderate effect

Despite BIM's potential to automate quantity take-offs and improve collaboration in cost estimating, its widespread implementation in the AEC/FM industry is hindered by various barriers. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in Purdue e-Pubs (Purdue University System). Using Comparative industry perception study, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When proposing or implementing BIM for cost estimating, proactively address industry-specific challenges and tailor the approach based on regional adoption patterns and existing infrastructure.

Study

Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

BIM adoption in cost estimating lags behind potential due to industry-specific barriers.

Despite BIM's potential to automate quantity take-offs and improve collaboration in cost estimating, its widespread implementation in the AEC/FM industry is hindered by various barriers.

Purdue e-Pubs (Purdue University System) · 2015

Key Findings

01BIM offers significant potential for automating quantity take-offs and enhancing collaboration in cost estimating.
02Industry adoption of BIM for cost estimating is not as widespread as anticipated due to various implementation barriers.
03Differences exist in BIM adoption and perception between the U.S. and China, influenced by organizational business models, BIM experience, and software usage.

Application

Design takeaway

When proposing or implementing BIM for cost estimating, proactively address industry-specific challenges and tailor the approach based on regional adoption patterns and existing infrastructure.

How to apply

When introducing new technologies like BIM into established design or construction processes, conduct thorough research into potential adoption hurdles and tailor the implementation plan accordingly.

Project actions

01When researching a new design tool or method, consider not just its features but also the practical challenges users might face.
02If comparing different approaches, look for studies that explore the reasons behind differing adoption rates.

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the perceived advantages and barriers to integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) into cost estimating practices within the U.S. and China's AEC/FM industries?

MethodComparative industry perception study

ProcedureThe research involved surveying industry professionals in the U.S. and China to gather their perceptions on BIM adoption in cost estimating, including its advantages, barriers, and current application levels.

ContextArchitectural, Engineering, Construction, and Facility Management (AEC/FM) industry, specifically cost estimating practices.

Variables

IV["Country (U.S. vs. China)","Perceived advantages of BIM in cost estimating","Perceived barriers to BIM adoption in cost estimating"]

DV["Level of BIM adoption in cost estimating","Industry professionals' perceptions of BIM effectiveness"]

CV["Type of AEC/FM organization","Role of the respondent (e.g., estimator, designer, manager)","Years of experience in the industry"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Comparative analysis between two major markets (U.S. and China).
+Focus on a specific application of BIM (cost estimating).

Limitations

The perceptions of a few individuals might not represent the entire industry; actual BIM usage might differ from reported perceptions.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the findings would depend on the survey instrument's design and the sample's representativeness. Validity could be enhanced by triangulating survey data with case studies of BIM implementation.

Think critically

To what extent do the identified barriers to BIM adoption in cost estimating reflect fundamental resistance to change within the AEC/FM industry, rather than specific technological or economic limitations?

Design Principles

"Technological innovation adoption is influenced by a complex interplay of perceived benefits, practical barriers, and contextual factors."

Understanding these adoption barriers is crucial for developing effective strategies to integrate BIM into cost estimating workflows. This can lead to more accurate, efficient, and collaborative estimating processes, ultimately impacting project profitability and success.

What This Means for Your Design

Even though new technology like BIM can make cost estimating easier and faster, many companies don't use it as much as they could because of problems like cost, training, or not knowing how to use it properly.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify why a particular design solution might face adoption challenges and how you plan to mitigate them.
2.Cite this study when discussing the importance of considering industry context when proposing innovative design tools or processes.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that while Building Information Modeling (BIM) offers significant advantages for cost estimating, such as automated quantity take-offs and improved collaboration, its widespread adoption is hindered by various industry-specific barriers. Understanding these challenges, as highlighted by studies comparing international practices, is crucial for developing effective implementation strategies that address practical limitations and foster greater integration of BIM in professional design and construction workflows.

Source

Purdue e-Pubs (Purdue University System)

Investigation of industry perceptions of building information modeling (BIM)-based estimating practices in the U.S. and China

journal · 2015

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Questions About This Research

What does the research say about bim adoption in cost estimating lags behind potential due to industry-specific barriers?: When proposing or implementing BIM for cost estimating, proactively address industry-specific challenges and tailor the approach based on regional adoption patterns and existing infrastructure. Evidence: Purdue e-Pubs (Purdue University System) (2015).
Why does "BIM adoption in cost estimating lags behind potential due to industry-specific barriers." matter for design?: Understanding these adoption barriers is crucial for developing effective strategies to integrate BIM into cost estimating workflows. This can lead to more accurate, efficient, and collaborative estimating processes, ultimately impacting project profitability and success.
How can designers apply this research?: When proposing or implementing BIM for cost estimating, proactively address industry-specific challenges and tailor the approach based on regional adoption patterns and existing infrastructure.
What were the main findings?: BIM offers significant potential for automating quantity take-offs and enhancing collaboration in cost estimating.. Industry adoption of BIM for cost estimating is not as widespread as anticipated due to various implementation barriers.. Differences exist in BIM adoption and perception between the U.S. and China, influenced by organizational business models, BIM experience, and software usage.
What research method was used?: Comparative industry perception study.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2015 journal from Purdue e-Pubs (Purdue University System).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When introducing new technologies like BIM into established design or construction processes, conduct thorough research into potential adoption hurdles and tailor the implementation plan accordingly.
What are the limitations?: Perceptions may not always reflect actual implementation challenges or successes; the study's findings are based on self-reported data.