INVESTIGATION OF BIM ADOPTION IN

INDIA
Contents
Chapter 1
1.1 Abstract

1.2 Objective

1.3 Methodology

Chapter 2
2.1 Introduction

2.2 Literature Review

Chapter 3
3.1 What is BIM?

3.2 Evolution of BIM

3.3 Why is BIM important to the Indian Built Environment Sector?

3.4 Global perspective on BIM

Chapter 4
4.1 Case Studies

4.1.1 Indian case study (INFORM Architects)

4.1.2 Foreign Case Study (Urbygningen Statsbygg )

Chapter 5
5.1 Study of BIM adoption in India

5.2 Respondent's profile

Chapter 6
6.1 Key findings of the Study

6.2 Future of BIM in India

INVESTIGATION OF BIM ADOPTION IN

INDIA
Chapter 1
1.1 Abstract
Design management and construction process can be improved with the help of
Building Information Model (BIM). In a rapidly developing country like India where most
of the construction works are still based on 2D and paper works, there are few firms
who adopt BIM in their design process. This study is aimed at assessing the current
status of BIM adoption and determining the drivers and barriers to the use of BIM in
India. This paper will focus on how far BIM has been adopted by Indian AEC
(Architecture, Engineering and Construction) industry. To understand the status of BIM
adoption in the Indian built environment sector, a study was conducted. An industry-
wide online survey was conducted to obtain input from industry professionals. Semi-
structured interviews were conducted with BIM experts in Bangalore. Case studies were
analyzed to identify the strategies commonly adopted on projects by both Indian and
Foreign firms.

Keywords: Building Information Modelling (BIM); architectural firms; BIM adoption

1.2 Objective
 To understand the current status of BIM adoption in Indian AEC industry.
 To identify the significant benefits of BIM adoption to the Indian built environment
sector
 To identify how BIM driven projects are more successful and cost effective than
paper or 2D based projects.

1.3 Methodology
The framework was created by researching various journals, case studies, talks with
professional experts and online surveys about BIM adoption and its

advantages and disadvantages.

Chapter 2
2.1 Introduction
The built environment sector in India will continue to play a significant role in the
nation’s infrastructure and industrial development that is being driven by economic
growth, industrialization and urbanization. Creation of built environment assets and
employment generation by the sector can significantly impact India’s growth story.
However, the Indian built environment sector is currently facing many challenges. It is
marred by delays, cost overruns, quality issues and other inefficiencies in the delivery
process. Much of this can be attributed to current work practices, inefficient processes
and lack of information sharing among industry stakeholders. Given the volume of
construction India has to undertake, it cannot be business as usual.

Traditional construction is carried out on the basis of two- dimensional drawings

(manual or computer generated) and set of documents that are prone to errors and
contradictions. Due to the increasing complexity of the design, construction, operation
and maintenance of modern built environment assets, this has become an outdated
paradigm.

Globally, the built environment sector is experiencing a remarkable development in the

form of Building Information Modelling (BIM). BIM, also known as Virtual Design and
Construction (VDC), is a process that uses smart and computable multi-dimensional
model of the project to enhance its design, construction, operation and maintenance.
BIM is gaining popularity in the global built environment sector as it helps in reducing
cost and time and increases other broader efficiencies. Impressed with the results,
governments around the world, especially in developed nations, are taking strong steps
to increase BIM adoption. For example, the UK has prepared a BIM strategy for the UK
Government Construction Client Group for reducing capital cost and the carbon burden
from the construction and operation of the built environment by 20 percent.

With this type of potential for improvement, India can also gainfully deploy BIM for its
built environment sector. This has not happened so far. While India stands to
significantly benefit from it, BIM adoption has remained low.

2.2 Literature Review

In the last decade, BIM has been one of the hot topics among both practitioner's and
researcher's community. A recent study found that between 2004 and 2014, 975
academic papers were published in the area of BIM (Yalcinkaya & Singh, 2015). The
“what”, “why” and “how’ of BIM at the macro level has now been adequately addressed
in the popular literature.

The McGraw Hill Construction (2014a) states that BIM helps to reduce rework and
clashes; improve productivity and reduce overall project duration;

BIM has been portrayed as a ‘change agent’ with benefits including added value to
clients (McGraw Hill Construction, 2014b);
Past research shows that BIM adoption can be enhanced and accelerated with the help
of a well-defined tool to facilitate BIM adoption. Various factors affecting BIM adoption
have also been identified which can be grouped into two main areas: technical and
functional requirements, and non-technical strategic issues (Gu & London, 2010).

The rate of BIM adoption varies globally, with India standing amongst the lowest with
just 10-18% BIM adoption rate as compared to 71% users of BIM in United states alone
(Sawhney, 2014a), it might be inappropriate to apply the previous findings to the Indian
context.

Chapter 3
3.1 What is BIM?
BIM is the use of ‘smart’ and ‘computable’ three- dimensional (3D) model of the project
to enhance its design, construction, operation and maintenance. There are many
definitions of BIM, but the latest and the most concise is by the UK Building Information
Modelling Task Group that states, “BIM is essentially value creating collaboration
through the entire lifecycle of an asset, underpinned by the creation, collation and
exchange of shared 3D models and intelligent, structured data attached to them.1”

In the journey to continually improve design, construction, operation and maintenance of

our built environment, BIM is playing a significant role in transforming industry
landscape. BIM is helping with better visualisation and cognition of design by minimising
design errors, aiding in better planning of construction activities, supporting the
construction process and providing a data-rich platform for facility operation and
maintenance. It is also a strong collaboration tool that helps the project team to work
together and collaborate for delivering better built environment assets. The value
proposition of BIM is that it integrates all lifecycle phases of the project and has the
potential to benefit all project stakeholders. It enhances

creativity and innovation of architects, designers, and engineers. Contractors and other
stakeholders are able to derive benefits via model-centric planning and execution
processes. Eventually, BIM also benefits the facility management team by allowing
data-driven operation and maintenance of the asset throughout its life. Overall, the
project sponsor or the client gains through reduction in capital and operating cost and
the delivery of a better asset. Figure 1 shows the application of BIM across all lifecycle
phases of a project, highlighting the importance of utilization during the lifecycle to
maximize gains.
BIM is not just a software tool or simply a technology that can be acquired and
implemented. It is really a paradigm that combines technology with people and process
issues of our industry to result in a tectonic shift in the way we deliver the built
environment. Its adoption requires deep commitment and a holistic approach. While the
potential benefits of BIM to people, projects, organisations and the overall sector are
significant, it requires leaving behind archaic and deficient work practices and
associated thought processes. BIM transforms the way we design, construct, operate
and maintain our built environment.

5.2 Respondent's profile

The online survey was completed by 40 professionals from various disciplines. In that
majority of them are architects. And 2 semi-structured interviews was conducted. In that
one was a BIM expert and the other one was an architect.

Respondent's Profile

12%

ARCHITECT
36% STRUCTURALENGINEER
18%
CONTRACTOR
DEVELOPER
BIM CONSULTANT
8%
OTHERS
12%
14%
Most of the responses are from Bangalore and Chennai. Few were from Mumbai,
Pune, Kerala and Delhi.

Level of experience in the industry

Almost 50% of the participants was from the professionals with atleast 15 years of
experience. The below bar chart shows the experience levels of all participants of the
study, including the interviews.

Level of experience
50

40
Percentage

30

20

10

0
0 to 5 5 to 10 10 to 15 >15
Years

Organization Size
Equal participation was from different sizes of organizations in terms of number of
people working in that organization.
 Series 1
Series 1

41%

20% 21%
18%

Small ( 3-20) Small to Medium ( 20- Medium to Large (50- Large ( More than 100)
50) 100)

5.3 BIM Awareness and Usage

Awareness

10%
22%

Aware and cureently using it

23%
Aware of it but not using
Considering implementaions
Not aware

45%
Type of projects used for