Bridging the Gap: Strategies to Enhance Building Information Modelling (BIM) Integration in Klang Valley, Malaysia's Construction Industry
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The adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) has transformed the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry by providing a digital platform for integrating project lifecycle information. While BIM has been widely recognised for improving project efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing communication, its implementation faces persistent challenges that hinder its full adoption, particularly in Malaysia. This study aims to identify the challenges of BIM implementation in construction projects within Klang Valley and to recommend strategies for improving its adoption in construction projects. A mixed-method approach was employed, involving a questionnaire survey distributed to 55 AEC professionals and in-depth interviews with three key stakeholders. The findings highlight that high costs, skill gaps, time constraints, preference for conventional practices, and limited awareness and training are the primary challenges hindering BIM adoption in construction projects, underscoring the need for financial support, capacity-building initiatives, cultural shifts, and improved education to foster wider acceptance and implementation. These challenges highlight the need for targeted initiatives to bridge knowledge gaps, enhance training programmes, and promote the value of BIM to stakeholders. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensuring the successful integration of BIM across construction projects, enabling the industry to maximise its potential benefits. Effective BIM adoption in construction projects requires a combination of comprehensive training, phased implementation, government support, standardisation, and technological advancements, underpinned by national strategies to address challenges, enhance education, and demonstrate BIM’s tangible benefits. This study aims to provide insights that can guide policymakers, industry leaders, and practitioners in overcoming the barriers to BIM adoption, paving the way for a more advanced and efficient construction sector.
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