The Influence of BIM to Reduce Delays and Cost Overruns in Construction Projects of Large Organisations in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The delays and cost overruns are a significant problem in construction projects of KSA. However, it is believed that the development of alternative technology minimises problems with project cost and time control. BIM is the latest and most promising technology using in construction industry. Internationally, BIM adoption has shown a significant benefit to reduce delays and cost overrun of the construction projects. Thus, the aim of the research was to investigate the influence of BIM to reduce delays and cost overruns in the construction projects of large organisations in KSA. The study illustrate that the issues of poor planning and estimation are the major factors of delays in KSA. However, the findings of the study indicated that the implementation of BIM can help to overcome time and cost problems. This study illustrated that there is a healthy level of knowledge on the benefits of BIM, but the adoption of BIM in the construction industry of KSA remains fairly slow. The implementation of BIM in construction industry of KSA is mostly by the large organisations, while small and medium organisations are still far left behind. However, the barriers to its adoption in KSA cannot be neglected. The data have shown that the organisational culture is one of the biggest issues and challenges to be overcome in KSA. The government plays important role in the correct BIM implementation. In addition, the adoption of BIM requires top down management support from the Government. Furthermore, education institutes play an important role to adopt BIM in Saudi Arabia. The construction organisations should change the traditional methods and put strategic plans to implement BIM. However, the study concludes that the implementation of BIM in large organisations could help to overcome the delays and cost overruns of the construction projects in KSA.