Engineering Inc. - January/February 2008 - 5

NEWS & NotES Building Information Modeling on the Rise T he pace at which Building Information Modeling (BIM) is being adopted in the engineering industry is accelerating rapidly, according to a new survey. Despite increased popularity, hurdles still impede effective BIM use. More than a third of the construction project and program owners responding to the Eighth Annual Construction Management Association of America/FMI Survey of Owners reported using BIM on one or more projects. The survey also found that more project owners are employing BIM than ever before. The survey set out to shed light on the perceptions and implementation of BIM among public- and privatesector project owners. The 200 survey respondents combine for an estimated $115 billion in annual construction spending. Some 35 percent of respondents said they have used BIM on one or more projects. The rate at which BIM is being deployed industrywide also is increasing, according to the survey. After growing by a modest 3 percent in 2003 compared to the previous year, the use of BIM increased 6 percent in 2005 and 11 percent in 2006. The survey also found that users of BIM—the practice of creating an organic digital portfolio that details all aspects of an ongoing building project— often are large companies with more than 50 projects, have capital construction programs that are one-third larger than nonadopters’, and are much more likely to hire a construction manager or program manager to oversee their projects. Whether project owners adopt BIM or not, all respondents recognized certain benefits inherent in the technology. Among the potential benefits reported by users and non-users: improved communication and higher-quality project execution and decision-making. Still, many respondents said, challenges to effective BIM integration remain. “Lack of expertise and industry standards are two of the greatest hurdles to collaborative construction processes and BIM adoption,” wrote the survey’s authors. Lingering impediments aside, 74 percent of project owners using BIM said they would recommend the practice to others. For more on BIM, attend the upcoming seminar: Building Information Modeling (BIM): The Promise and the Reality for A/E/C Firms, Feb. 7-8, 2008, in Las Vegas (See page I-6 in the enclosed IBM catalog). Also, for an in-depth report on the “state of BIM” at the federal level, see the March/April 2008 issue of Engineering Inc. For Licensed Engineers Whether you’re seeking multistate licensure or continuing professional education, NCEES Professional Services can help you move forward in your career. Council Records Program Facilitating the comity licensure process www.councilrecord.com Registered Continuing Education Providers Program Keeping you up-to-date with continuing education www.rcepp.com JaNuaRy / FEbRuaRy 2008 ENGINEERING INC. 5

http://www.acec.org/education/eventDetails.cfm?eventID=934 http://www.councilrecord.com http://www.councilrecord.com http://www.rcepp.com

Engineering Inc. - January/February 2008

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