ASSESSMENT OF THE ADOPTION OF BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING BY QUANTITY SURVEYORS IN OSUN AND OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The advancement in information technologies have changed the way professionals interpret design, analyse and prepare bill of quantities. As a result of these, professionals tend to look for a better way of handling projects with a view to save time, cost and to achieve best quality with the trending technologies. This led to development of computer aided design (CAD) which triggered the evolution of Building Information Modelling (BIM), which has emerged as a solution to poor interoperability in the industry. Building Information Modelling (BIM) offers the opportunity, although through large, complex and highly interdependent models, of preparing, storing, transferring, analysing and the management of all types of building information on one model or medium dedicated to the project irrespective of the nature of the data or information, whether graphical or numerical. This research focuses on the level of understanding/awareness of Quantity Surveyors on BIM, its adoption and level of involvement of Quantity Surveyors in BIM based projects in Osun and Oyo State, Nigeria. The target population are members of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) in Osun and Oyo State and a total of 127 questionnaires were distributed (Note – Total of 59 members registered with Osun and a total of 68 members registered with Oyo Champter), while 105 were retrieved. The data collected were analysed using mean item score, frequency distribution, percentage and factors analysis. It was deduced from the study that the level of adoption of BIM by Quantity Surveyors which is a way better than the previous years is now moderately/ averagely adopted and fast approaching a commanding level. However, the findings of this research work indicated that the most important drivers for the adoption of BIM by Quantity Surveyors are its ability for time saving, documentation/ specific management and information availability and sharing. Training and learning have been identified as number one barrier for the adoption of BIM and closely followed by knowledge and competency. The research concluded that conducting of seminars, workshops and short courses are the best way by which the adoption of Building Information Modelling by Quantity Surveyors can be improved. Emphasis should be made by the appropriate bodies on the capabilities of the BIM software, in doing that, it will encourage more professionals to come to its acceptance.