Investigation of the implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the public sector in Saudi Arabia to cost control

Abstract

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is the most growth in the construction industry. However, they have faced challenges in projects cost control by cost overruns. To overcome these issues, the research investigates the impact of implementing technology Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the public sector construction in KSA. Moreover, it also reviews the effective implementation of BIM in the public sector in KSA to control costs and avoid project cost overruns. The chosen method is based on the onion model. Mixed method approach was used in the research investigation, interviews and questionnaires were conducted to undertake the causes of project cost overrun in the KSA public sector and revealed the enablers of and barriers to effective BIM application in KSA. Thematic content analysis was used to analyses the gathered data. They found the main causes of cost overruns during the project lifecycle, which are that client-induced changes in design and scope, poor planning and management of projects, mistakes in designs and lack of communication. In addition, the study also found that the absence of requirements for adopting BIM, poor education and knowledge and lack of government support were the major barriers to applying BIM in KSA. The research found the strategy of possible enablers of implementing BIM successfully in KSA by government support, regulatory obligations and increasing publicsector employees’ awareness of the benefit of the BIM in cost control through education and training.