Exploring the BIM-Lean Synergy Adoption in Malaysia Construction Projects

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an advanced representation of a facility that includes exact geometry and related information to aid in the project's design and procurement. Lean Construction (LC) is an approach for developing construction systems that minimise waste of time, materials and labour while maximising project potential value. However, the construction industry prioritises practical solutions over principles and concepts. Even though it is only a concept, previous BIM-Lean initiatives have demonstrated the benefits of increased profit, cost and schedule certainty, risk reduction and competitiveness. Unfortunately, most Malaysian construction companies are unaware of the advantages of adopting BIM-Lean synergy in construction projects. As a result, the purpose of this research are: i) to assess the level of awareness of lean implementation in Malaysian BIM construction projects and ii) to investigate the feasibility of BIM-Lean synergy in Malaysian construction projects. This research used a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with 12 representatives among Grade 3 to Grade 7 contractors and an engineering solution consultant in Selangor. Based on the data collected, all respondents agreed that the combination of BIM-Lean synergy will have a substantial impact on the construction sector over the next decade. The benefits include greater communication and collaboration, increased on-site monitoring and fewer inefficient process layouts and errors. The identified challenges include the lack of exploration of synergy functionality, limited contractor acceptance and high software costs. Despite this, BIM-Lean synergy is achievable for Malaysian implementation but requires strong support from top-down government actions and collaboration with industry stakeholders.