Sunnerdale, Cameron (2023) A mixed methods study exploring the relationship between approaches to BIM training and factors affecting BIM transformation. [USQ Project]
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Abstract
Purpose: The widespread adoption of Building Information Modelling is advocated across the AEC industries due to its many designs, constructional, organisational, managerial, and financial benefits. Despite the emphasis on ambitions for industry-wide BIM adoption, the pace of implementation this has not met expectations. There have been several barriers to BIM adaption and implementation identified in the literature. One of these factors is the provision of appropriate training. This project is concerned with exploring the nature of BIM training and the potential impacts on professionals’ attitudes toward and implementation of BIM in the AEC industries.
Methodology: This study used a mixed method approach for the purposes of triangulating data from both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Quantitative data was collected from thirty- eight respondents via an online survey. Statistical Product and Service Solution [SPSS] was used to analyse the data.
A focus group was facilitated with six BIM experienced professionals. The purpose of the focus group was to expand on the quantitative findings by obtaining qualitatively richer more in-depth data into the attitudes, training, and the nature of BIM use of research participants. Focus group data was analysed using Thematic Analysis.
Results: Descriptive and demographic data for the 38 survey respondents are reported. The majority of respondents had five or more years work experience with an engineering background. In general, respondents indicated favourable attitudes toward BIM training and BIM use. They identified the initial time and financial costs, together with disruption to business output and negative perceptions of BIM in AEC industry as some of the challenges to BIM transformation.
Ten hypotheses were generated for statistical analysis. Four hypotheses were unable to be statistically analysed due to too few responses per category and missing values. There was no statistically significant relationship found between years of work experience and self-rating of BIM expertise and between years of work experience and confidence using BIM. There was also no statistically significant relationship found between level of self-rated BIM expertise and confidence in BIM skills. Confidence using BIM skills was strongly related to frequency of BIM use and likelihood of recommending BIM as an information workflow. There was a moderately strong relationship between frequency of BIM use and the likelihood of recommending BIM as an information workflow.
Three themes emerged from the qualitative analysis ‘The Road to BIM’, ‘Misconceptions of BIM and ‘Skilling Versus Specific Course’. Both the quantitative and qualitative findings highlighted significant variance in BIM training, BIM understanding and BIM usage all of which are underpinned by misconceptions of BIM. Organisational factors re affecting successful BIM transformation are also identified and discussed.
Implications: The findings of the present study point to the importance of in-house mentoring BIM training programmes as a means of addressing the variance which permeates attitudes toward BIM, BIM training and use in the AEC industry. This research distinguishes between attending a BIM training course and being skilled in BIM. Participants emphasised the importance of organisations facilitating ‘BIM skilling’ for employees. This skilling needs to incorporate bottom-up and top-down BIM training for all relevant stakeholders with a view to counteracting some of the misconceptions of BIM that exist in AEC industry. It is also recommended that each organisation facilitate access to a repository of quality BIM training resources for staff. This research study adds to the body of work which identifies the multi-factorial cultural (people)02, training, and organisational factors which can support of hinder BIM transformation.
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| Item Type: | USQ Project |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Engineering (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Thorpe, David |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil) |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Oct 2025 23:59 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Oct 2025 23:59 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | BIM training; transformation |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/53005 |
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