A BIM-enabled procurement framework in new buildings for the Nigerian architecture, engineering and construction industry

The construction industry in Nigeria is one of the major contributors of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and as such a significant section of the economy. However, the industry adopted a fragmented approach due to the procurement variants and complexity in work. Procurement has a fundamental function in the execution of building projects in the Nigerian construction, architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. The research aims at developing and validating a Building Information Modelling (BIM)-enabled procurement framework by investigating the willingness of the Nigerian AEC industry to adopt a BIM-based procurement process, particularly in new buildings. Following the tenets of a pragmatic philosophy and an explanatory sequential mixed method approach, the study combined quantitative and qualitative approaches at intensive and extensive stages respectfully. At the early stage of the study, data was collected through existing literature review. Results of the literature review demonstrated that the following were issues in new buildings; abandonment, rework, poor performance, collapse, cost and time overrun, and fatalities. These issues were linked to procurement variants. Therefore, considering a collaborative technology/process such as BIM might remediate the problems. As such a questionnaire was developed based on literature review and analysed using statistical approach. As a means of validating the outcome of the conceptual framework developed, a focus group was conducted and analyse through coding. The study suggests that there were several benefits of BIM that could be realised during the procurement and the adoption could improve integration of construction stages. Furthermore, for these benefits to be comprehended, several factors had to be considered. Such as innovation, free flow of communication, trust, encouraging initiatives, focusing a collective goals and objectives. However, the uptake of BIM in the nation had several barriers that were also investigated to comprehend the phenomenon further. The study implies that the adoption of the BIM-enabled Framework could enrich both the management of new buildings and the adoption of BIM in the country. The contents of the framework should be viable for involved stakeholders when dealing with procurement issues and BIM. By implementing this framework recommended in the study, substantial progress can be obtained in the issues encountered in the construction industry.