Realizing the Potential of BIM: An Investigation of Benefits and Barriers to Implementation in the AEC Industry

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is transforming design communication in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry from 2D drawings to an integrated 3D model (Kumar & Mukherjee, 2009). BIM enables the virtual construction of a building before physical construction, providing a shared knowledge resource for all stakeholders. However, using traditional methods, the AEC industry struggles to manage design errors, estimate deficiencies, design- construction conflicts, and fragmented information flow (Olatunji et al., 2009). This study reviews the benefits and barriers of implementing BIM on AEC projects through a comprehensive literature review. The findings reveal that BIM offers significant advantages, including improved collaboration, clash detection, visualization, documentation, and facilities management. Barriers include resistance to change, lack of training, software costs, and legal issues around data ownership. Case studies demonstrate how BIM supports complex projects when adopted as a central design platform. The insights aim to help AEC firms make informed decisions about BIM adoption to mitigate risks and improve project delivery.