A Critical Analysis of Factors Influencing BIM Implementation for Public Projects in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Malawi

The advent of BIM in the construction sector has brought about a significant change in the construction process of public projects in developed and developing countries. However, there is limited information on BIM implementation in low-income countries. Therefore, this study aims to critically analyse factors influencing BIM implementation for public projects in Malawi. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify the factors driving BIM implementation. However, to assess the criticality of these numerous drivers, a questionnaire survey was administered to purposively select participants in the construction industry. The key factors influencing BIM implementation for public projects in Malawi were analysed using the weighted mean. It was identified that technological and process factors were the key drivers for BIM implementation, encompassing the availability of BIM software that allows for smooth integration with other software and the availability of BIM knowledge resources, the development of standardised datasets for managing BIM, and the availability of clear protocol for data exchange, among others. This study provides a theoretical framework for evaluating factors influencing BIM implementation in low-income countries. The study also provides policymakers and industry stakeholders with comprehensive strategies to facilitate BIM implementation in the Malawian construction industry.