Key constraints to optimal and widespread implementation of BIM in the South African construction industry

Building information modelling (BIM) adoption and implementation has continued to gain prominence across the world albeit to varying extents and with diverse methodologies for creation, use, storage, and re-use of information. Its implementation in South Africa, though spanning about a decade, has been neither widespread nor optimal prompting a need to identify key constraints to achieving these. Data were collected through semi-structured interviewing of purposively selected consultants who have implemented BIM within their organisations and on projects. Key constraints identified as impediments to optimal and widespread implementation of BIM in South Africa include lack of standards and uniform protocols as well as lack of government buy-in and support. These in turn contribute to varying patterns of implementation methodologies among collaborators along with non-interoperability of technology and business processes. The findings establish a clear demand for country-specific standards and institutional backing though current implementers adopt or adapt standards and protocols from other countries leading in BIM. Arguing from a dominant design theoretical perspective however, it is posited that as different countries adopt or adapt standards and implementation methodologies from countries leading in BIM, diverse standards and methodologies across the world may evolve towards a dominant pattern of BIM implementation practice among variants, and with global collaboration,  global BIM standards may emerge.