A FRAMEWORK FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION

OF BIM IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

DEPARTMENT OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL

FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE OF
BACHELOR IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

ABS231-0130/2018
NYANGAU HENRY ANGIRA

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 ABSTRACT
Within the study region of Nairobi County, the investigation will be driven by the following
goals: to determine the BIM’s usage in Kenya’s construction industry. To determine the
difficulties in implementing BIM in the Kenyan construction sector. To make suggestions for
enhancing the Kenyan government’s policies, incentives, and programs to promote the
adoption of BIM technology. The creation and validation of a aid in directing the research.

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 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

One of the most exciting advancements in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC)
sectors is building information modeling (BIM). BIM creates a virtual environment to model the
construction project. A precise digital model of a building is created using BIM technology.
When finished, the computer-generated model has the computerized description of every
component of the construction project is the process's most significant result.
BIM is largely employed as a tool for visualization, and how it is implemented has a
considerable impact on the project’s characteristics. By improving planning, design, and other
construction processes, BIM is seen as an interactive technology that enables effective project
management [Rakiman US]. It has been demonstrated that the implementation of BIM has
significantly increased mission performance compared to those related to the improvement of
productivity [W Heng]. BIM in government projects necessitates a change in present working
methods in order to produce buildings of greater quality that perform better while costing less.
The wider the potential for maximizing the benefits of BIM, the more systematic cooperation of
construction industry actors at the early design stage .

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In order for construction projects to be completed, a variety of experts and factors are
frequently involved. For ongoing project implementation, this entails the synchronization of
various information at various project stages. Construction industry stakeholders and
professionals must frequently communicate back and forth to accomplish this coordination,
which is both time- and money-consuming. Construction projects are much more complicated
than they have ever been, according to Alshawi and Ingirige (2012).

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Several studies have been done on BIM and its application, especially in the developed world,
in nations like the UK, USA, Australia, and Canada. Some of these studies are Won et al. (2013),
Smith (2014), Tahrani et al. (2015), and Sreelakshmi et al (2017). Contrary to the developed
world, Kenya hasn't done a lot of BIM research. In the few studies, research on BIM hasn't
considered how much it's used in the construction sector or offered suggestions for how to use
it better.. It is, therefore, to this end that this research is directed.
When stakeholders use BIM properly, there are advantages in relation to five key areas.
However, the use of BIM is also constrained by a number of challenges, including (in order of
importance) the high cost of implementation, absence of knowledge about its use, lack of
government support for its use, lack of safety training, inadequate research and innovation, and
lack of laws and policies requiring its use .

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To propose a framework for the effective implementation or adoption of BIM in Kenyan
Construction industry.

1.4 STUDY OBJECTIVES

The objectives guiding this research are as follows:
 To identify the extent of BIM implementation in the Construction Industry in Kenya.
 To establish the challenges for BIM implementation in Kenyan Construction Industry.
 To offer recommendations for improving the policies, incentives and programmes of the
Kenyan Government for encouraging the adoption of BIM technology.
 To develop and validate a Framework for implementation of BIM as a process in the
Kenyan Construction Industry.

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1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
This research project is being undertaken to answer the following fundamental question s
 How is BIM being perceived in the Kenyan Construction industry?
 How can it’s implementation be successful in the Kenyan construction industry?
 How can BIM adoption be encouraged ?
 What are the short comings in adopting BIM use for Construction Project Management?

1.6 SCOPE OF STUDY

This study is based in Nairobi County. It offers a thorough analysis of how construction
companies use BIM technology in their projects. This will require looking into their
understanding in preparation for the adoption of BIM. Nairobi County was selected because it
supports Kenya's administrative and economic capital. Nairobi consequently enjoys a variety of
construction projects from differing size and complexity.

1.7 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

BIM adoption is seen as the way of the future and the answer to the issues facing the
construction industry (Lu and Li, 2011). The most promising recent innovation in the
construction sector is BIM, which is also a key tool for the sector's expansion. Similarly, BIM is
essential for the effectiveness and competitiveness of the construction industry, according to
Newton and Chileshe (2012). The process of information sharing and interoperability among
project stakeholders can be accelerated via BIM. This demonstrates how the absence of
connectivity in the supply chain for construction contributes to the demand for BIM. BIM will
alter a number of the construction industry's traditional working practices, including those
relating to its workers, procedures, communication, and work culture.

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1.8 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
The construction industry adopts new technology and procedures more slowly than other
sectors of the economy. According to a study by Linderoth (2020), the adoption of BIM is
happening slowly. However, BIM adoption is essential for the construction industry to be
efficient and competitive. According to Banks (2017), studies that pinpoint adoption barriers to
BIM will help the construction industry and result in higher adoption rates. Similar to this,
obstacles must be removed by offering facilitating elements to encourage the adoption of new
technologies. A growing nation like Kenya must expand its construction industry's capacity to
employ new and innovative methods of project delivery since the construction industry in
industrialized nations is developing. Kenya must put in place a framework for delivering
projects that is incredibly effective and is supported by a dynamic national strategy. The NCI
should concentrate on encouraging the use of collaborative processes because they can raise
the standard of professional services provided by the sector.

1.9 RESEARCH LIMITATIONS

This research thesis is also anticipated to face a number of restrictions. The financial restrictions
come first. This will make it challenging to thoroughly collect data from multiple places in order
to eliminate bias. The second restriction is time. The timeline might not be sufficient to allow
for a thorough investigation of all the variables because this research topic is quite complex.
Last but not least, there may be certain restrictions on data collection due to unresponsive
respondents or even in some circumstances, lack of adequate information due to semi-illiterate
respondents.

This chapter is set to discuss the implementation of a valid Framework for BIM technology in
the construction industry. This will be achieved by reviewing works by other researchers who
have ventured into this study. However, to achieve this, the chapter will focus on four main
sections. The four variables as per the specific objectives will be extensively covered here. The
second section will identify the research gaps as identified in the previous works by other
researchers. The third section will feature the theoretical framework where theories related to
the literature review will be discussed. The last section will feature the conceptual framework
where the dependent and independent variables will be listed as well as the expected outcome.

LITERATURE REVIEW

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2.1 INTRODUCTION
The latest development in computer and information technology for the construction industry
is the emergence of Building Information Modelling (BIM), which is a great tool for the
exchange of knowledge and information between the various disparate construction project
disciplines in order to effectively coordinate and integrate the various Phases of the project
lifecycle. In order to address some of the challenges that the construction industry is currently
facing, Building Information Modelling, or BIM, is an integrated digital representation that
includes all the practical and physical elements of the capabilities of building planning
technology (Butkovic and Heesom 2017;Underwood and Isikdag, 2010).
Employing BIM technology can address problems in the construction sector and lead to several
benefits, including cost savings, enhanced productivity, better quality, shorter lead times, and
the avoidance of duplication via good stakeholder communication. IT assists in managing the
complexity of projects in the construction industry. As a result, it also aids in reaching project
goals through time and money savings, as well as improvements in quality and scope. In
addition, reducing costs and implementing long-term sustainable methods would help to
maintain the project's quality by cutting waste. Similarly, BIM may be described as a tool that
can be used to plan, design, simulate, implement, and preserve project data from the initial
planning stage through the project execution stage, according to Building SMART (2012).

2.2.1 BIM IN KENYAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

It is concerning to see how Building Information Modeling (BIM) is currently being used by
building professionals in Kenya. BIM is being used more often all over the world to enhance
stakeholder communication, visualize designs, identify potential conflicts, minimize redesign
during project implementation, increase design quality, save costs, and increase project
returns. However, BIM adoption in Kenya’s construction sector is still lacking, which leads to
ineffective information coordination among project parties.
Kenya's BIM implementation and documentation are mostly driven by the market and the work
of the private sector. Apart from being directed at a certain portion of the construction
industry's audience, the guidelines currently accessible do not focus on BIM. Specifically,
distinct practice standards for architects, engineers, and project managers in the construction
industry. This can be linked to the segmented structure of the Kenyan construction
industry .Additionally, there are many regulators for the various industry faucets. Therefore,
the intended audience for BIM is fragmented and lacks a unified emphasis. Due to this
circumstance, there aren’t enough people pushing for and promoting the adoption of BIM.

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Eastman et al. (2008) note that, due to BIM innovation, a precise virtual model of a building is
developed carefully and, once finalized, the computer-produced model contains the exact
geometry and important information expected to help in the design, manufacture, and
procurement of an actual building. BIM is not only a technology, but also a process. The
technology part of BIM enables stakeholders to picture at an early stage any opportunities in
the design, construction or functional issues, while the process segment allows for close
cooperation and integration of roles played by all members of the design and construction
team (Azhar et al., 2012).

2.2.2 CHALLENGES FACING BIM IMPLEMENTATION

IN KENYAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
1. The fragmented character of Kenya's construction sector: This effectively separates the
"would-be" audience for the adoption of BIM into a number of different disciplines,
limiting the impact of collective action in favor of adoption
2. Until the visualization stage, BIM cannot be employed in traditional procurement
procedures like design-bid-build.
3. The working relationships that are established on one project typically cannot be
maintained on another since the makeup of the participants will change due to the
temporary nature of projects. It is difficult to build on previous ties because this implies
that partnerships and the collaborative process must be formed from scratch
4. Project uniqueness: Each project is a different attempt with particular circumstances. As
a result, it can be difficult to build on BIM-related lessons learnt because each project
will have different requirements.
5. Restructuring of organizational structures and working relationships is necessary to
implement BIM. Since it disrupts tried procedures and working habits, most practices
encounter hostility to this
6. Adversarial contractual relationships: The work is organized in an adversarial manner,
with design and construction being kept apart. Such a system pits architects and
contractors against one another. This confrontational attitude has become entrenched
in the sector over time, making the adoption of a collaborative working style
challenging.
7. Participant roles have changed as a result of the use of BIM, with builders now playing a
more significant role in the design process. The project manager's function as the
coordinator of all participants also plays a significant role. The new position of BIM
manager is another thing. Construction industry professionals' accustomed equilibrium
has been shaken by these new positions, which has led to opposition.
8. Software issues and coordination issues: Diverse project participants' use of various
software packages causes coordination issues.

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2.2.3 INVOLVEMENT OF THE KENYAN
GOVERNMENT
Governments have the ability to lead the adoption of BIM technology within their purview as
the largest customers . BIM use tends to increase because of the widespread adoption by
Government entities in areas where the government is required to internally design and carry
out various economic and infrastructure projects and as a result has a department of Public
Works. The majority of governments whose nations have a high BIM adoption rate take
advantage of this by promoting and showcasing the technology’s potential to the general public
in an effort to persuade them to use the BIM tool as well. A number of governments have
begun producing localized BIM templates for usage within their respective regions , as well as
BIM training manuals (BCA, 2013), sponsoring of BIM seminars and boot camps and availing
BIM Laboratories .

2.2.4 DEVELOPING A FRAMEWORK FOR BIM

IMPLEMENTATION IN KENYAN CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY

Any construction industry that wants to adopt BIM must have a sound plan in place to ensure
that the benefits of BIM can be realized. According to Khosrowshahi and Arayici (2012), BIM
must be properly implemented at an organizational level and integrated into the construction
industry for its benefits to be realized. There is a requirement for a BIM implementation plan

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that ensures an all-inclusive approach is implemented in order to guarantee the success of both
of these. Arayici et al. (2011) advise using a socio-cultural perspective when establishing a
strategy for implementing BIM, which takes into account both the implementation of
technology and the socio-cultural environment that serves as the framework for it. The way
BIM is applied is crucial to its success. Government and leadership in the building business are
among the important aspects, according to Smith’s study.

2.3 RESEARCH GAP

The technological and sociological difficulties that come with implementing the BIM process, as
well as technology in the context of Kenyan construction enterprises, are the two main areas
where there are knowledge gaps. Generally speaking, Ciborra (2004) illustrates the
discrepancies between the understanding of organizational change and technological
innovation. Apart from a set of common engineering procedures used by Kenyan construction
organizations, there is no interaction between downstream organizational processes and
technology for such a sequential and progressive channel. As a result, traditionally, the
functionality and performance of a project are the key concerns at the pre-design stage, and
process limits are rarely taken into account. Consequently, efficient business procedures,
project management leadership, and the effectiveness of planning are operational aspects.

The two primary areas where there are knowledge gaps are technology in the context of
Kenyan construction firms and the technological and sociological challenges that come with
executing the BIM process. Ciborra (2004) demonstrates the differences between the
perception of organizational change and Because of this, process restrictions are typically not
taken into consideration at the pre-design stage and instead, the functionality and performance
of a project are typically the main considerations. Therefore, good planning, leadership in
project management, and efficient business practices are operational factors.

2.4 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

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The theoretical framework used in this research considers the adoption of new technologies
and employs the UTAUT and TAM model.

2.4.1 UTAUT
The main constructs in the adoption and acceptance of new technology among users, according
to this model, are performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social variables, facilitating
conditions, and trust. The most important factor in employing new technologies is performance
expectation. There are high expectations for new technologies, and it is crucial to understand
how people perceive the value of VR technology in order to satisfy those expectations. Effort
expectancy takes into account the time and effort needed to deploy and become familiar with
new technology. This concept might stand in for technology's usability. Social aspects take into
account how people feel about new technology being used by businesses in related industries.
The concept of facilitating conditions takes into account how new technologies might make the
current situation simpler.

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2.5CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

INDEPENDENT AIM
VARIABLES - -Improvement of BIM
-Technology adoption level

-Government
Organization.
-Process.

DEPENDANT
VARIABLES
-Challenges to adoption

-Strategies to aid adoption

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 INTRODUCTION

The goal of this chapter is to go over the research methodology that was used in this study . The
research strategy, research design, study data nature , and data sources are all discussed in this

chapter. The target population is described and the sample frame and procedure ,data
collection and analysis tool , and data presentation.

3.2 RESEARCH DESIGN

A quantitative research design will be employed for this research. This survey is an
experimental effort to determine whether BIM is being effectively in Nairobi County's
construction project management. By questioning each respondent about their perspectives
and individual experiences with BIM adoption, this research design is suited for learning about
it’s current use in the Country/ County.

Survey questionnaires will be used as the primary approach, and they will be distributed to
construction project managers in a variety of disciplines..

3.3 TARGET POPULATION

Therefore, Nairobi County's practitioners are the study's target population. The consultants,
who may be found in the online registration which includes the architects, quantity surveyors,
and structural engineers (BORAQS)

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To establish a framework for the deployment of BIM in Nairobi County is the goal of this
project. Nairobi County was selected because it serves as both Kenya's administrative and
economic capital. Nairobi consequently has a variety of construction projects from the public
and private sectors of varied sizes and complexity.

3.4 SAMPLING SIZE

This study will use a probability sampling technique. The sample for built environment
consultants, including architects, quantity surveyors, and structural engineers, will come from
the online register for the Board of which as of the fifth day of July 2022 had a total of 236
architectural firms and 164 quant surveying firms in good standing. Similar to this, the
Engineers Board of Kenya will collect the sample for structural engineers from the list of firms.
which, as of the fifth day of July 2022, is 127.The sample of Building contractors operating
within Nairobi will be obtained from the National Construction Authority (NCA) register which is
100 as of the 5th day of July 2022.The table below shows the total sample population.

CATEGORY POPULATION

Architectural firms 236

Quantity Surveying firms 164
Structural Engineering firms 127
Building Contractors 100
Total. 627

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3.5 RESPONDENTS SAMPLE SIZE

The sampling technique used would be representative of the entire population because the
total population is finite. According to Israel (1992),

Sample size, n =n’/[1+n’/N]

Where:

N= Total population

N’=Sample size from infinite population = 385

Sf= 10% of n

Table below shows a proportionate sample for each category of respondents who would be
interviewed in this study.

Category Population (N) Proportionate Sample =N*sf

Architectural firms 236 9
Quantity Survey firms 164 6
Structural Engineering firms 127 5
Building contractors 100 4
Total 627 24
N=246 N 626 s.f. =0.037

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3.6 NATURE OF DATA AND DATA SOURCE

Kothari & Garg (2019) define primary data as first-hand information that has been gathered,
analyzed, and presented for a particular purpose. Such information will be immediately
gathered from the responders. In this study, primary data sources were used. Questionnaires
will be given out to construction businesses in Nairobi as a major source of data. In order to get
exact information and facilitate data analysis, the questions will be closed-ended.

3.7 DATA COLLECTION AND INSTRUMENTS.

Data collection for this study uses questionnaires. Users of the BIM technology will be surveyed
in order to gather information. This will help you see the research issue from their perspective.
Structured questionnaires will be made available for this purpose. Multiple choice/single
response questions with mutually exclusive answers will be used in the surveys. The
information gathered will either be numerical, categorized, or scaled, depending on the
question.

3.8 RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY

.3.9 DATA ANALYSIS

Quantitative approaches will be used to analyze the collected data. The closed-ended surveys
will produce numerical information. The information gathered will be combined in the field into

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a format that can be understood and coded using a system of number indices. Calculation will
be simpler as a result. In this data analysis process, MS EXCEL and SPSS data analysis software
will be used. Descriptive analysis will be calculated, such as means, modes, medians,
percentages, and frequencies.

3.10 DATA PRESENTATION

The data will be presented in graphs, charts, tables, report writing, and written presentations.
Graphs and charts will also be used to provide a graphical representation of the data collected.

3.11 CONSTRAINTS TO DATA COLLECTION

Some respondents might first be apprehensive about receiving the questionnaires, claiming
they are too busy to complete them. Some respondents can take longer to complete the
questionnaires because of the pressure of their professional obligations and the time
constraint. The creation of the surveys and the associated transportation costs could result in
significant outlays. The time needed to gather enough data to create a solid research report is
more likely to fall short.

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