Interscale Content Hub – BIM adoption challenges in developing countries are a big topic in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry.
Even though BIM is becoming more and more popular around the world, developing countries still face some unique challenges when it comes to adopting BIM.
So, we’re going to look at some of the main challenges that developing countries face when they start using BIM. Let’s get started.
Challenges of BIM Adoption in Developing Countries
In developed countries, using BIM has led to some pretty big benefits, like reduced project costs, better timelines, and better design quality.
But developing countries have a lot of hurdles to overcome to get started with BIM, which means they’re missing out on the benefits.
If they can understand and address these barriers, developing countries can really make the most of BIM and get to the same level of advancement as more developed regions.
Lack of Awareness and Understanding
One of the biggest hurdles to overcome when it comes to adopting Building Information Modeling (BIM) in developing countries is lack of awareness and understanding among stakeholders.
Many professionals in the AEC industry aren’t fully aware of the benefits and capabilities of BIM. This lack of awareness makes people reluctant to try new technologies.
Usman Aftab et al. did a study called “Obstructions in BIM Implementation for Developing Countries—A Mini-Review,” and it found that a lot of people don’t know what BIM is or why it’s important. This makes it hard for it to be used more widely.
This lack of awareness makes people reluctant to invest in BIM technologies and training, which means that it takes longer for BIM to be adopted and integrated into the industry.
Insufficient Training and Education
BIM implementation requires specific skills and comprehensive training, which are often lacking in developing countries.
It’s not uncommon for educational institutions in these regions to lack BIM-related programs, which means there aren’t enough skilled professionals to go around.
A paper called “An investigation of barriers to the application of building information modeling in Nigeria,” by James Olaonipekun Toyin and colleagues found that the lack of training opportunities for professionals is one of the main reasons why BIM isn’t being used more in Nigeria.
Another paper, “Challenges to the Implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Sustainable Construction Projects,” by Ahmed Farouk Kineber also points out that training and education are key challenges in BIM adoption.
This lack of training and education makes it tough to develop the expertise needed to implement BIM effectively.
High Initial Costs
One of the biggest hurdles to BIM adoption in developing countries is the upfront cost. BIM implementation often requires a lot of upfront investment in software, hardware, and training, which many firms in these regions find too expensive.
James Olaonipekun Toyin’s research shows how the initial financial burden is a major deterrent for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are a big part of the construction industry in developing countries.
The high cost of adopting BIM technology often outweighs the perceived benefits, which makes it hard for companies to invest.
Infrastructure and Technology Barriers
Bernardus Ariono and colleagues, in “The Drivers, Barriers, and Enablers of Building Information Modeling (BIM) Innovation in Developing Countries: Insights from Systematic Literature Review and Comparative Analysis,” point out how poor infrastructure is a big problem, and it needs to be improved if we want to use BIM properly.
There are some pretty big obstacles to BIM adoption in developing countries, mainly because of the lack of the right technology and infrastructure.
These regions often don’t have the right tech infrastructure in place, like reliable internet and advanced computing systems, which are essential for effective BIM implementation.
For practical reference on BIM obstacles, kindly read “Stress Changing Sheets in Revit BIM 360 Cloud Projects? You Not Alone.”
Regulatory and Policy Issues
Another challenge is a lack of supportive regulatory frameworks and policies. In many developing countries, there are no rules or rewards for using BIM. In contrast, in several developed countries, governments actively encourage BIM for public projects.
The lack of regulatory support makes it tough for construction firms to adopt BIM. There aren’t any external pressures or benefits tied to its use.
Bernardus Ariono’s paper and Ahmed Farouk Kineber’s paper suggest the government could play a big part in making BIM more popular by creating policies and incentives that make it easier for firms to adopt it.
Resistance to Change
One of the icky things about the AEC industry is resistance to change. It’s pretty common, especially in developing countries.
Many professionals are used to traditional methods and aren’t keen on adopting new technologies and workflows.
This cultural resistance often stems from a lack of understanding of BIM’s benefits and a fear of the unknown.
Bernardus Ariono and Ahmed James Olaonipekun Toyin both talk about resistance to change as a big problem in their papers.
They say that to get people to adopt new ideas, we need to come up with some good ways of managing change. This will help us encourage innovation and get people to embrace new ways of working.
You also can read “Beyond the Basics: Managing Nested Files in Revit BIM 360 – A Guideline,” to see how to manage nested files.
How Interscale Helps You Utilizing BIM Strategically in Developing Countries
Interscale has got you covered when it comes to BIM solutions, with a focus on addressing the specific hurdles facing developing countries.
Our team of experts has lots of experience in BIM management, especially in developing countries like Indonesia.
We tailor our BIM services to each project, making sure we’re efficient and effective.
Plus, we help clients figure out the ins and outs of local regulations by offering consulting services.
Our experience in change management makes it easy to transition to BIM. We help organizations overcome resistance and create a culture of innovation.
For sure, we’d love for you to take a look at what Interscale can do for you.
Take a look at our Interscale BIM Management Service page, and you’ll see how we’ve helped lots of clients get their project workflows up and running.
Conclusion
So, yes, there are some challenges to BIM adoption in developing countries. Strategic partnerships and tailored solutions are key to success.
That’s why we always say it’s best to work with local experts to find the best way to address each project’s unique needs.
This will help you make the most of BIM and bring about positive changes in construction practices.
By getting through these BIM adoption challenges in developing countries, we can pave your way for a more efficient and innovative future in construction.
