Investigation of the Current Level of Building Information Modelling (BIM) Adoption by Building Contractors in Kenya

Abstract

Construction is a key industry in any economy. It is made up of many actors, delivery methods, deliverables, workflow processes and tools. Building Contractors are one of the main actors within this industry since they execute physical construction to match the virtual output by design actors. BIM has come out as one of the versatile tools that Building Contractors employ in their construction processes to achieve an ideal Iron Triangle metrics of Time, Cost and Quality. These new, disruptive methodologies and approaches have resulted in higher levels of BIM Adoption by Building Contractors around the world. This is not the case for Building Contractors in Kenya. This study investigated the current status of BIM Adoption by Building Contractors in Kenya, established the status of BIM Essentials, BIM Maturity and BIM Risk Tolerance amongst Building Contractors in Kenya, and established the relationship between these three factors and BIM Adoption. This study used the survey method. For questionnaires, data collection through random sampling was domiciled in active construction sites within Nairobi County, within specific planning zones that had met the threshold of BIM deployment. Interviews were also administered to NCA, KABCEC, BIM Resellers and Insurance Agents to corroborate and clarify certain findings identified during analysis of questionnaires. Data was processed using Ms Excel 2016, SPSS 22 and PSPP. Inferential analysis was deployed using tools like Shapiro-Wilk test, sample t tests, one-way ANOVA tests, regression models and Pearson Correlation. Using one sample t test with a universal mean of 2 representing low, BIM Essentials, t (61) =-0.109, α > 0.05, SD = 1.15 indicated that BIM Essentials amongst Building Contractors was low. BIM Maturity, t (61) = 1.214, α > 0.05, SD = 1.49 indicated that BIM Maturity amongst Building Contractors was low. BIM Risk Tolerance, t (61) = 0.492, α > 0.05, SD = 1.15 indicated that BIM Risk Tolerance amongst Building Contractors was low. Overally, BIM Adoption, t (61) = -0.118, α > 0.05, SD = 1.47 indicated that BIM Adoption amongst Building Contractors was low. A primary multivariate regression model indicated that BIM Essentials positively influenced BIM Adoption while BIM Maturity and BIM Risk Tolerance were not strong enough to influence BIM Adoption. This study found out that BIM Adoption by Building Contractors in Kenya was lower compared to global trends. At a macro level, the main reasons for this were the predominant Design-Bid-Build method of construction delivery, high costs of BIM licences, low or no government involvement on issues relating to BIM, low levels of professional BIM training and poor enforcement of copyright laws in Kenya. At a micro level, Building Contractors adopted 2DCAD, 3DBIM and 5DBIM tools that are related to their scope of works more than the 4DBIM, SAMBIM and MEPAMBIM tools. For BIM to thrive amongst Building Contractors in Kenya, this study recommends that the National Government be greatly involved by creating relevant mandates and regulations, by funding BIM related research, by enforcing copyright laws, and by creating specific time defined taskgroups to advance this cause. This study proposes a BIM Implementation Framework to assist in improving BIM adoption amongst Building Contractors in Kenya. KEYWORDS: BIM Adoption, BIM Essentials, BIM Maturity, BIM Risk Tolerance, Diffusion of Innovation, Hype Cycle.