Building Information Modeling: Benefits and Challenges at Kier Group

This report analyzes the benefits and challenges of Building Information Modeling (BIM), focusing on its application within Kier Group plc, a prominent UK construction company. The study begins with an introduction to BIM, highlighting its role in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) for improved project insight and efficiency. The report outlines the aims and objectives, research questions, and scope of the investigation, followed by a literature review that evaluates the concept of BIM, its core benefits, and the potential challenges organizations face during implementation. The research methodology is described, and data analysis and interpretation are presented, leading to research findings, communication strategies, conclusions, and recommendations. The report emphasizes the importance of BIM in enhancing design, construction, and management of buildings and infrastructure through 3D modeling, collaborative workflows, and improved project lifecycle management. The challenges include substantial investment, software compatibility, and security concerns. The research aims to provide insights into how Kier Group can better manage its buildings and infrastructure using BIM effectively.

Benefits and challenges
of Building Information
Modeling

Table of Contents
Title: Benefits and challenges of Building Information Modeling. An investigation on Kier
Group plc.........................................................................................................................................1
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................1
1.1. Overview of study...........................................................................................................1
1.2. Background of the organisation.......................................................................................2
1.3. Aims and objectives........................................................................................................2
1.4. Rationale for selection of topic........................................................................................3
1.5. Research questions..........................................................................................................3
1.6. Scope and limitation........................................................................................................4
Chapter 2: Literature review............................................................................................................4
2.1. To evaluate the concept of Building Information Modeling...........................................5
2.2. To determine about the main benefits associated with the use of Building Information
Modeling.................................................................................................................................9
2.3. To analysis the possible challenges which could be faced by an organisation or its
architecture while making use of Building Information Modeling......................................12
2.4. To recommend possible steps and effective ways for Kier group to ensure better
management of its buildings and infrastructure...................................................................14
Chapter 3: Research methodology.................................................................................................17
Chapter 4: Data analysis and interpretation...................................................................................23
4.1. Data analysis..................................................................................................................23
4.2. Interpretation of data.....................................................................................................27
Chapter 5: Research findings and communication........................................................................42

5.1. Discussion on Research findings...................................................................................42
5.2. Communication with stakeholders and intended audience (400)..................................45
Chapter 6: Conclusion and recommendation.................................................................................45
6.1. Conclusion.....................................................................................................................45
6.2. Recommendation...........................................................................................................47
Chapter 7: Reflection.....................................................................................................................48
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................50

Title: Benefits and challenges of Building Information Modeling. An
investigation on Kier Group plc.
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1. Overview of study
Building information modelling (BMI) is basically an intelligent 3D based model process
which are helpful for architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) professionals which
provide improved insight. Thus, Building Information Modeling is basically a construction tool
which is used by engineers and architecture to effectively plan, design, construct as well as
effectively managing the building and infrastructure with the help of a 3D view (Gurevich, Sacks
and Shrestha, 2017). Building information Modeling has provided an Autodesk for AEC
(architecture, engineering and constructive) Professionals to have and move towards a more
automated and collaborative form of planning, designing and manufacturing building for
ensuring more efficient and successful ways of working. The concept of BMI has become vital
and essential in construction filed as its helps in making more efficient decisions along with
improving binding performance and collaboratively works more efficiently throughout the
complete project lifecycle (Zhong and Huang, et. al., 2017). Apart from this, an enhanced use of
BIM is seen by architecture and civil engineers as it ensures and leads to an intelligent and
connected form of workflow which improves the overall predictability of plan and design
through offering a 3D insight. Beside this, Building information Modeling also supports and lead
out to a digitize and automated form of construction through ensuring connected and
collaborated project information along with 3D design for improved construction.
Further, the use of BIM also improves the overall mechanical, electrical and plumbing design
quality and collaborative all the activities in real time to ensure and support project delivery
process. Apart from this, increases importance and significance of building information
Modeling could also be drive from the fact that it helps in managing the design as well as the
construction of intelligent piping, structures, and processes to ensure more efficiently and
collaboratively throughout project lifecycle and at hand-off (Gao and Pishdad-Bozorgi, 2019).
But still apart from all theses benefits, some challenges are also associated with use of Building
Information Modeling which comprises of requirement substantial investment in new technology
and improved software. Thus, high cost along with incompatibility with partners as it is not
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universally sued among all the constructions professionals are the major issues and challenges
associated with use of BMI in construction. Apart from this, issues of security breach and legal
consequences are also associated with use of BIM as it consists of using online network and
digital software for creation of 3D design and also involves sharing of information on network.
Therefore, current investigation is lead out on the topic of Benefits and challenges of Building
Information Modeling to get a deep insight about the concept of BIM along with analysing its
overall impact and efficiency on improving the performance and success of construction.
1.2. Background of the organisation
The organisation which have been selected for conducting and carry out current
investigation is Kier Group plc which is a famous UK construction company which comprises of
many services and property group activities associated with building and civil engineering. The
Kier Group Plc is famous and well known for its support services comprises of public and
private housebuilding contracts along with Private Finance initiative and land development. The
Kier group plc was founded in 1928 which is initially having specialisation in concrete
engineering filed and after that it keeps on expanding into general contracting as well as in house
building (Luthra and Mangla, 2018). Kier group is among one of the top UK construction
company and contractor builder but still threat of high level of competition is still faced by Kier
Plc group. Thus, having continuous improvement in its operations and setting a balance with
regular upgrading technology and ongoing advancement in engineering and construction filed
has become vital for Kier Group Plc. therefore current investigation is lead out on Kier group Plc
to ensure better analysis about the concept of Building information Modeling (BIM) along with
analysing its main benefits and challenges.
1.3. Aims and objectives
Research aim
The aim of current investigation is, “To understand the concept of Building information
Modeling (BIM) along with analysing its main benefits and challenges”. A research project on
Kier Group.
Research Objectives
The main objectives set out for current investigation to meet the above stated aim are
provided as follows:
 To evaluate the concept of Building Information Modeling.
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 To determine about the main benefits associated with the use of Building Information
Modeling.
 To analysis the possible challenges which could be faced by an organisation or its
architecture while making use of Building Information Modeling.
 To recommend possible steps and effective ways for Kier group to ensure better
management of its buildings and infrastructure.
1.4. Rationale for selection of topic
The selection of current research topic based on the concept of Building information
Modeling is rationale and significant as it provides a more effective and automated way of
construction and designing for engineers and architecture. Vital understanding about the concept
of BIM has become increasingly important for all architects and engineers as it allows them to
set a better collaboration and involvement with clients and stakeholders. Apart from this,
understanding about the BIM is also become significant to effectively design and create an
effective built environment through use of 3D design and also save time and money along with
helping in competing a construction project in efficient manner. Therefore, selection of current
research topic based on analysing benefits and challenges associated with BIM is rationale and
justifiable as BIM ensures an improved coordination and communication at work site along with
facilitating greater efficiency level and shorter project lifecycle which improves the quality of
overall results.
Apart from providing better understanding and knowledge about the concept of BIM,
selection of current research project is also vital and rationale from personal view point of
researcher as this topic meets its personal interest. Along with this, topic of Benefits and
challenges of Building Information Modeling is also complying with academic and educational
perspective of investigator. Apart from this, leading out current investigation also ensures and
leads out improvement in the managerial skills and other interpersonal competencies like
communication and time management of researcher which would support better personal and
professional growth in future.
1.5. Research questions
Following research questions would be analysed and evaluated through current
investigation on Kier Group:
 What is meant by the concept of Building Information Modeling?
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 Which are the main benefits associated with the use of Building Information Modeling?
 What could be the possible challenges which could be faced by an organisation or its
architecture while making use of Building Information Modeling?
 What are recommended steps and effective ways for Kier group to ensure better
management of its buildings and infrastructure?
1.6. Scope and limitation
The current dissertation is having a wide scope as it facilitates better understanding about
the concept of Building Information Modeling which is made the designing and construction of
building more efficient and effective. The use of BIM facilitates a much more automated and
efficient tool for architecture and engineer for effective construction and designing of a building
through ensuring 3D and better view. Further, an implication about the possible challenges
which could be faced by an organisation or its architecture while making use of Building
Information Modeling is also provided by current study which ensures for effective mitigation of
these challenge to have improved utilisation of BIM technique which enhance its future scope.
Effective recommendation is also provided through current study to ensure better management of
its buildings and infrastructure. The main limitation faced during current investigation is related
with lack of time which has hampered the efficiency level of study. Apart from this, maintaining
authenticity and reliability of collected data is also a challenge encountered during the current
study.
Chapter 2: Literature review
It forms out a vital part of every dissertation and research project which yields a systematic
analysis of secondary form of data which facilitates and provides a base for conducting and
leading out an investigation. Thus, an implication can be made out that a literature review is
basically a type of review article of scholarly paper that presents the current knowledge including
substantive findings as well as theoretical and methodological contributions to a particular topic
(Anand and Amor, 2017). The current literature review is based on the topic of Benefits and
challenges of Building Information Modeling and its objective for which a range of articles has
been reviewed and survey, a discussion and analysis of which is provided as below:
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2.1. To evaluate the concept of Building Information Modeling.
As per the information provided by the Shimonti Paul, 2018, the BIM which is short for
Building Information Modeling is basically an intelligent processor based on a 3D model that
provides engineers, architecture and other construction professional an improved insight during
the building and construction process. An implication has been made out that, BIM is a vital tool
which has enhanced the efficiency level of plan, design and construction through ensuring
effective building management and improved level of infrastructure. Apart from this, it has been
analysed that the concept of BMI is helping out AEC (Architecture, Engineering and
construction) Professionals through leading a more automated and collaborative tool for having
an improved way of designing and construction which ensure and leads to more successful ways
of working (BIM Use by Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Industry in
Educational Facility Projects, 2019). It has been observed that the concept of Building
information Modeling (BIM) is referred to a collaborative way of working which comprises of
methods based on the generation and effective exchange of data and other vital information
among the various parties of projects. Thus, an effective implication and use of BIM requires a
vital integration among the five main elements of a project which forms integrated part of the
concept of BMI (Hu and et. al., 2019).
These five vital elements of BMI comprise of Process, Policies, People, Information and
technologies among which a proper coordination and collaboration is vital and important for
effective use and improved implication of BIM model. A description and evaluation about these
five elements of BIM model is provide as below:
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Figure 1:Elements of BIM, 2021.
 Process- This element of BMI basically comprises of the specific order and sequences of
various work activities which are going to take place and carried out for designing and
effective construction of a project. Implication of BIIM requires and facilitates a clear
presentation of sequence and specific order of activities from the beginning to an end
along with leading a clear and systematic identification of inputs and output of the each
of the activity and project stage (Aceto, Persico and Pescapé, 2020).
 Policies- It form out a vital part in success of any project which refers and comprise of
the set of vital principles and rules which guide and supports effective decision making
during the course of project. Proper policies are need to be frame out for improved
efficiency of BIM which are essential and required to development the standards of work
and leading best practices for success of a project. Thus, Implication of BIM supports the
effective development of standards and practices which would lead to minimisation of
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disputes and confusion among the various parties involved through leading out all
information out standard policies and rules (Wirtz, Weyerer and Geyer, 2019).
 People- human resource involved within a project is the one that makes difference in all
aspects of project comprises of its quality and efficiency level thus, it forms out to be the
most important element of BIM. An effective management of people and improved level
of coordination and collaboration among staff and other people is vital and essential
required for successfully leading out BIM model. The important people involved in the
implication of BIM model comprises of BIM director, BIM manager, BIM technologist
and BIM consultant (Jetter, Eimecke and Rese, 2018).
 Information- Within a BIM model, there are two main form and type of information
which consists of models and documents for successful use and effective implication of
BIM model. Out of these two, the models form of information mainly comprises of
digital data which provides the representation, reproduction and simplified version of an
object like road, bridge, building, etc. The models form of information are digitally stored
within a file format that can be easily exchanged and shared among project parties which
supports an effective decision making process for improved construction of building and
other infrastructure (Facey and et. al., 2018). Further, the documents are basically the
information in form of digital version papers comprises of drawing, prints and images
along with informative videos related with the construction of a project.
 Technologies- This element of BIM comprises of a software and other hardware tool
which are used to manage the various stages of the Building information Modeling
process during the course of a project.
Apart from this, with respect to the information provided by Das, M., Tao, X. and Cheng,
J.C., 2021, it has been analysed that the concept of Building Information Modeling is a process
or 3D model which allows more intelligent use of resources and also lead to optimisation of
workflows which support higher productivity and profitability. Thus, within the construction
industry the use of BIM model has become important and vital to effectively review and design
in a more easily manner (Fujimoto and et. al., 2017). It has been analysed that currently there are
four level of concept of Building information modelling which are discussed and provided as
below:
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Figure 2:Level of BIM, 2020.
 Level 0- the level 0 of BIM basically presents the lack of it within a project or firm as
at level 0 there is no collaboration among the parties which collating information
about a build asset. Further, at level 0 the most of the data is 2D like a CAD
drawings and the exchange of information is also mainly done through making use of
paperwork.
 Level 1- It comprises and forms out an assumed form of structure when the BIM
level reached at Level 1 where the CAD is now can be either 3D or 2D along with
some improved level of collaboration that is being achieved between different
involved parties (Bagheri, Kusters and Trienekens, 2019).
 Level 2- At this level of BIM a higher level of collaboration has been seen and
introduced between the teams and various process of the Building Information
Modeling is effectively followed. At the level 2 of BIM still a lack of single source
of data is present but at this level the data collected about the build asset is
effectively shared.
 Level 3- It is the level where the complete level of BIM is achieved within a process
which comprises of a total collaboration level along with effective planning,
construction and improved level of operational life cycle for achieving better
building of asset. At the level 3 of BIM an effective sharing, collection and storage of
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data is made through making use of single source of data. Achieving this level 3 of
BIM is the ultimate goal of all construction company which provides a universal
approach to build an assets and known as the open BIM (Xu and et. al., 2018).
2.2. To determine about the main benefits associated with the use of Building Information
Modeling.
According to the view point of Wang, J. and Lu, W., 2021, it has been reviewed that many
benefits and operational advantages are associated with the use of Building information
Modeling. It has been observed that construction industry is going through a woe which take a
backset with use of Building information Modeling that allows a more intelligent and systematic
use of resources along with leading improved optimisation of Workflows that leads to a higher
level of productivity and profitability. Apart from this the use of BIM is beneficial and important
for construction industry as it allows all interested parties to effectively assess and share the
same information at a same time through leading an interoperability between the different
technological platforms. Thus, use of BIM is beneficial as it ensures higher level of coordination
and collaboration during the project through limiting the chances of chaos and confusion by the
way of more effective communication to have better outcomes. Apart from this, the use of BIM
is beneficial for construction as it helps in improving the quality of building and at the same time
significantly reduce the time and cost of building lifestyle by the way of leading better
understanding of the design projects (Gourlis and Kovacic, 2017).
It has been analysed that the BIM provides an improved insight and supports a 3D model
from the beginning till the end of project lifecycle which optimize the operational efficiencies
and also increase and improve the occupancy and use rates while construction. Apart from this,
use of BIM is also beneficial to monitor the effectiveness and productivity of an ongoing
construction process. It has been analysed that use of BIM provides an improved opportunity to
try out and implicate better solution in advance before actually building the structure on site
which. Thus, use of BIM is beneficial as it leads to improved information about the constructible
model with the help of prototyped virtually structure which enhance the efficiency and chances
of success of a project (Ransdell and et. al., 2018). Apart from this, making use of BIM model
also leads an improved level of understanding in project parties through ensuring review design
in a easier way which supports and helps in providing the guarantee of work accuracy and timely
completeness. Apart from this, a better level of knowledge and information about the possible
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