Exploring the consequences of 4D BIM innovation adoption

The construction industry is still perceived to have low innovation levels in comparison with other sectors, despite a recent surge of industry innovations such as Building Information Modelling (BIM). The purpose of the work was to explore the innovativeness of members of the construction social system. Insight was gained through semi-structured telephone interviews conducted with a range of construction practitioners. An established academic innovation-decision process model was used to generate key research questions around construction innovation, whilst BIM and 4D BIM innovations were also used as general discussion points. Data arising on general construction innovation adoption focused on perceived problems of industry structure. In addition interviewees believed that without widespread industry commitment, many of the anticipated benefits of BIM would fail to materialize. Several consequences of 4D BIM innovation were also identified including concerns over anticipated increases in contractor resources necessary to create 4D plans, and in resultant levels of construction plan interrogation.