The Role of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Controlling the Project Cost by Effective Communication between the Project Stakeholders

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has emerged as a crucial tool for enhancing communication among project stakeholders—owners, contractors, and designers—by enabling integrated information exchange and accurate documentation. Despite its increasing global adoption, the implementation of BIM in construction projects in Saudi Arabia remains limited (A Al-Yami, 2021). As construction projects and the overall industry become more complex, the need for an effective communication system within project teams becomes more pressing. BIM provides comprehensive, multidimensional channels that enhance communication, management, and decision-making throughout the project lifecycle. This study quantitatively examines the role of BIM in improving communication efficiency and cost control in construction projects in Saudi Arabia. A survey was conducted among construction professionals, including both those with experience in BIM and those without prior exposure to it. Two versions of the questionnaire were used to capture both perspectives, focusing on the impact of communication quality on project cost and control. A total of 85 valid responses were collected and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The results highlight BIM's potential to enhance effective communication from the respondents' perspective, as well as the key obstacles to effective communication in traditional, paper-based project management methods. Recommendations have been provided to improve the effectiveness of BIM in addressing communication challenges and enhancing project execution, with a particular focus on the limitations of traditional paper-based approaches.