What is BIM? A Need for A Unique BIM Definition

¹ Department of Built Environment, Auckland University of Technology, 55 Wellesley St E, Auckland, New Zealand
² Department of Building Construction and Services, Unitec Institute of Technology, 139 Carrington Road, Mt Albert, Auckland, New Zealand

^* Corresponding author: dat.doan@aut.ac.nz

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has rapidly developed in the construction industry recently; it is also considered as one of the core concepts in the Industry 4.0. However, BIM understanding is always seen as a significant problem for BIM implementation. Therefore, this paper aims to provide the insights into BIM awareness of the construction practitioners with the focus on the BIM definition in the New Zealand construction industry where BIM is still in its early stages. 22 interviews were conducted with 26 construction experts holding important positions in their companies and having at least eight years’ experience in the industry. The results indicated that BIM has a variety of meanings to the interviewees. Four different definitions including Building Information Model, Building Information Modelling, Building Information Management, and Software/Technology were identified which was considered inappropriate, the fallacies of definition, for the construction industry. Also, most of the construction practitioners are seen as not well-aware of BIM, especially the SMEs. Furthermore, the results also indicated that the BIM survey potentially provided a false result at least regarding the BIM adoption rate in the New Zealand construction industry, which urges the BIM survey host to clarify the BIM definition before conducting the survey. The results of this paper are hoped to alarm the government and construction organizations to have a unique BIM definition for BIM development in New Zealand to ensure the consistent understanding among the industry.