The Adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the Facilities Management Industry (Case Study of FM Industry in Nigeria)

Abstract

Building information modelling (BIM) is a critical tool for the facilities management (FM) industry. However, existing literature has shown that BIM is yet to be widely applied in FM practices. This study is aimed at investigating the adoption of BIM in the FM industry with the view to identify the factors hindering BIM adoption in the FM industry; examine the strategies for BIM adoption in the FM industry; figure out how to incorporate facilities management data into BIM; how traditional innovation diffusion theory can be applied to the FM industry and examine the drivers of BIM adoption in the facilities management industry. The study adopted a quantitative research approach. Secondary data were obtained from a literature review, while the primary data were collected through the use of a questionnaire. Out of the questionnaires administered to FM firms registered with International Facility Management Association (IFMA) in Nigeria, only one hundred and six (106) responses were received, and one hundred and two (102) were considered valid for further analysis. Z-test formula, one-sample t-test, frequency distribution table, mean item score, Cronbach alpha test and principal component analysis were employed to analyse the questionnaire data using Microsoft Excel 2016 and IBM SPSS version 23.

This study's findings showed that BIM can improve FM practices in Nigeria. However, the level of BIM awareness among FM professionals is poor. About 80% of the FM firms have low awareness of the value of BIM in FM practices. The study further revealed the most significant factor hindering BIM adoption in the FM industry is the absence of best practices and guidelines; while the strategies to adopt BIM in the FM industry must start with an effective FM section. In addition, the approaches to incorporating FM data show the need to keep track of system procedures and their current maintenance condition is mandatory. Furthermore, BIM adoption's essential driver in the FM industry is improved productivity due to easy information retrieval.

Lastly, the study provided some insightful recommendations to facilitate BIM adoption in the Nigerian FM industry. They include providing affordable training for FM professionals; educating stakeholders, introducing incentives, and providing appropriate policies to support BIM implementation in the FM industry.