Benchmarking BIM levels of training and education amongst construction management practitioners

UK Government Construction Strategy created a deadline of 2016 for the adoption and utilization of Level 2 BIM on all centrally procured projects. A shift from Computer Aided Design (CAD) to Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been driven by the need to improve the way that the industry delivers projects. It is believed that BIM better facilitates opportunities for collaboration and project enhancement than traditional project information management processes, and also thought that by improving the quality of information and adopting a more collaborative approach through model based design such advancements can be made. The originality of this research is in developing an understanding of the current status of BIM training and education amongst construction industry practitioners achieved through survey. The present research builds on previous longitudinal and cross-sectional studies by uses a quantitative approach to investigate the current status of BIM awareness, understanding, use, and perceptions towards readiness for the 2016 mandate. Results both support and also disprove a range of findings from previous research efforts, highlighting high levels of BIM awareness, use and understanding, which are coupled with limited belief that the industry will be ready for the 2016 mandate. Investigations also reveal that the majority of training and education received by practitioners is self-sourced and variable in quality.