Developing a building information modeling (BIM) effectiveness model for the Turkish construction industry

Project delivery process in the construction industry is highly fragmented and communication is mainly based on 2D drawings. Errors and emissions in the paper documents can cause unexpected costs and delays. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a path-breaking advancement in the construction industry that can address these issues. This research aims to develop a BIM effectiveness framework for the Turkish construction industry to investigate the BIM implementations in detail. In this context, a BIM effectiveness framework was proposed based on an extensive literature review and expert opinions. The framework mainly included the determinants, measurements, and outcomes. A questionnaire survey was designed and administered to the BIM practitioners of construction projects executed by Turkish construction companies. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique was used as a research tool to validate the proposed framework and assess the model reliability based on 172 responses obtained from 107 different construction projects. The results revealed that (i) effectiveness of BIM implementation is determined mostly by the project-based factors followed by the company-based factors; (ii) industry-based factors do not directly impact the effectiveness of BIM implementation, but they indirectly affect it through exerting influences on the project- and company-based factors; (iii) a very strong association exists between the effectiveness of BIM implementation and the effectiveness of the construction process; and (iv) effectiveness of the construction process directly influences both the project- and company-related benefits, where slightly greater impacts are observed on the project-related benefits.