Results from the annual industry-wide BIM survey, undertaken by NBS, have provided the most comprehensive and up to date picture of BIM (Building Information Modelling) implementation within the UK's construction industry.
Now in its third year, the NBS National BIM Survey was conducted between December 2012 and February 2013 and received a record response. More than 1,350 professionals took part, representing a range of business sizes and disciplines from across the industry including architecture, engineering and surveying, making this the most comprehensive piece of research into BIM to be undertaken in the UK.
Against a backdrop of growing industry interest in BIM over the last year, nearly three quarters (71%) of respondents to the NBS survey agreed that BIM represents the 'future of project information' and 39% confirmed that they were now actually using BIM.
However, almost two years after the publication of the UK Construction Strategy, in which BIM plays a central role, fewer than half of respondents are aware of the different levels of BIM, despite Level 2 being mandatory on all Government projects by the end of 2016.
Although the numbers using BIM continue to grow, a lack of clarity around the subject was identified by the survey as an obstacle to more rapid adoption, with 74% agreeing that 'the industry is 'not clear enough on what BIM is yet'. Only around one-third of those questioned claim to be 'very' or 'quite' confident in their BIM knowledge and skills.
Despite the uncertainty around the subject, the survey once again supported the view that the greater use of BIM is unstoppable with 73% agreeing that clients will increasingly insist on its use, 66% saying the same about contractors and 51% confirming that the Government 'is on the right track with BIM'.
Of those who have adopted BIM, more than half believe that the introduction of BIM has resulted in greater cost efficiencies whilst three-quarters report increased coordination of construction documents. Improved productivity due to easy retrieval of information and better quality visualisations were other gains. A mere 6% would turn back the clock and regret the introduction of BIM to their organisations.
Commenting on the survey, Dr Stephen Hamil, Director of Design and Innovation at RIBA Enterprises, said: "Digital construction is here to stay. The annual trends we are observing in the NBS BIM surveys clearly show this. However, the true benefits of BIM will not be realised until the industry focuses on clear requirements around structured information. This has been the Government's clear and consistent message. This must now spread to all those involved in the UK construction industry."
