Continuing professional development in building information modeling context: key factors for engagement and motivation

Purpose This research examines the human factors that influence construction professionals' engagement and motivation to participate in BIM-based continuing professional development (CPD). As digitalization reshapes architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) practices, understanding participation in CPD is essential for supporting industry-wide competence development. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative multi-method design combined participatory workshops with an open-ended survey. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings Engagement and motivation were shaped by interconnected pedagogical, organizational and individual factors. Collaboration, interdisciplinary interaction and authentic practice-centered learning supported engagement, while flexible and modular delivery formats aligned with professionals' need for autonomy. Diverse digital and BIM-related backgrounds shaped participants' learning needs and preferences for BIM-based CPD, highlighting the importance of flexible and adaptable learning pathways. Originality/value This study extends research on motivation and engagement in CPD into the underexplored context of BIM-based learning in the AEC sector. While broadly consistent with workplace learning literature, the findings suggest that BIM-based CPD is distinguished by the importance of role-specific project relevance, interdisciplinary interaction and learners' diverse digital and BIM-related backgrounds. The study provides empirically grounded insights for designing BIM-based CPD.