More than a third of the construction project and program owners responding to the Eighth Annual CMAA/FMI Survey of Owners say they have used Building Information Modeling (BIM) on one or more projects. The rate at which BIM is being adopted in the industry is also accelerating, the survey reports. The study was conducted by FMI with the support of the Construction Management Association of America, and focused on perceptions and implementation of BIM among construction owners, including public- and private-sector owners who are members of CMAA.

Of the 200 survey respondents, who collectively represent approximately $115 billion in annual construction spending, about 35 percent of the respondents said they have used BIM on one or more projects. Survey findings include:

• The rate at which newcomers join the ranks of BIM users has been increasing -- BIM usage grew by three percent in 2003, six percent in 2005 and 11 percent in 2006.

• Approximately 35% of all respondents have used BIM processes and technology for one or more years.

• Less than 10% of all respondents are attempting to build customized software systems to support the design and construction process; the vast majority of owners -- nearly 70% -- are purchasing off-the-shelf systems and making little or no modification.

• Nearly 25% of survey respondents do not know how much information technology- related spending takes place on individual projects to support achieving project objectives.

• Nearly 10% of all respondents make no use of electronic documents throughout the entirety of the design and construction process.

Specific to BMI, its usage and benefits, survey respondents cited the following:

• A lack of expertise and lack of industry standards are two of the greatest hurdles to collaborative construction processes and BIM adoption.

• Seventy-four percent who are current BIM users would be likely or very likely to recommend use of BIM systems, identifying improved communication and collaboration among project participants as the greatest benefit. (Also high-ranking were "higher quality project execution and decision-making," "greater assurance of project archival," and "more comprehensive planning and scheduling.")

The basis for the survey was the following definition of BIM: Building Information Modeling (BIM) refers to the creation and coordinated use of a collection of digital information about a building project. The information can include cost, schedule, fabrication, maintenance, energy, and 3-D models. The information is used for design decision-making, production of high-quality construction documents, predicting performance, cost estimating, and construction planning, and, eventually, for managing and operating the facility.

Large savings can result from employing the predictive capabilities of BIM through:

• Using cost attributing features of the model to assess alternative design and construction schemes.

• Virtually coordinating contract documents and shop drawings to identify and resolve geometric conflicts in advance of construction.

• Creating a 4D schedule to optimize sequence of construction, manage project logistics and communicate the project plan to subcontractors in coordination meetings and proactively make adjustments based on their feedback.

• Use the 3D and 4D models to demonstrate the scope of work to subcontractors during the bidding process, eliminate ambiguities, and reduce cost contingency in sub bids through increased clarity.

• Quickly assess and quantify the impact of scope changes on all trades and overall project plan.

The FMI/CMAA Eighth Annual Survey of Owners also discusses other construction industry-specific issues and concerns currently facing owners, such as material costs, the need to attract industry workers from the next generation, and LEED/Green Building. For more information about the FMI/CMAA Eighth Annual Survey of Owners, contact FMI Corporation at 919.785.9359.

Published: December 24, 2007

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Peter L. Mosca is president and founder of BAK Communications, Inc. He has over 22 years of communications and media consulting experience, serving a variety of nonprofit organizations, including the CCIM Institute and the REALTOR Association on all three levels – national, state and local. He is the Spokesperson Trainer for the CCIM's Jay Levine Academy and trains hundreds of residential REALTORS nationwide to be effective industry spokespeople. He is consistently ranked as "excellent" by about 90% of those who attend his presentations. While his principal consulting focuses are public speaking and media relations development and content delivery and management, Peter is also the host of the Voice America Network's weekly radio program, "Income Property Investment Talk," a one-hour program that brings the powerhouses of commercial and residential real estate to property investors every Wednesday at 11 a.m. EST. Peter is married 17 years to his wife Barbara. They have two children: Ashley, 15 and Kelli, 12. Hence, the name BAK Communications, Inc.