Legal and Political Trends
PROMOTION OF BIM-USAGE Governmental Measures for Increased Utilization of BIM
The German construction industry has been relatively slow in adapting to digitalization. Compared to other EU countries, Germany is far behind, especially, regarding the implementation of BIM [19]. In a study conducted by the Fraunhofer-Institute, almost one-fifth of people working in the German construction industry did not know the planning method BIM, with only 14% of respondents working with BIM for more than a year. When planners were questioned about their usage of BIM, only 40% of the respondents said that they use BIM more or less frequently [51]. England is one of Europe’s leaders in BIM implementation, having already started a BIM-strategy in 2007. Since 2016 BIM Level 2 is required for all public projects, as well as for the public tender process [160]. This results in only 16% of construction companies in England having never worked with BIM [161]. Currently, Germany is following in the same direction, actively making efforts to foster the standardized usage of BIM.
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In 2013, the BMVI published BIM guidelines in an effort to standardize the usage of BIM [162] On a European level, a standardization committee is responsible for the standard specifications for the use of BIM, as well as the definition of rules for the handling of the resulting data [163] Currently, there are several pilot projects using BIM commissioned by public authorities, i.e. the “Bahnknotenpunkte Bamberg”, a railway junction in Bamberg [19] The minimization of risk regarding cost overrun and missed deadlines through utilization of BIM is stated as a major goal in the coalition agreement between CSU, CDU and SPD (2017-2021) [164]
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starting 2020 [19] Stagnation in productivity and efficiency in the construction industry [165] Slow adoption of the construction industry to digitalization [165] Increasingly large infrastructure projects require reliable planning methods [165] Need for early detection of mistakes on construction sites and a decrease of risk in the construction process [166]
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The relationship between construction companies and subcontractors is highly nontransparent [19] Slow adaptation of innovative technologies by the construction companies [165] Low technology affinity of the construction industry as well as a lack of training regarding modern technology [165] High fragmentation of the German construction industry and the resulting high number of small- and medium-sized construction companies make investments in BIM difficult [19] A low number of pilot projects involving small or medium companies increases the difficulty to gain experience with BIM [19]
Impact on the construction industry: With the introduction of BIM into the construction process, projects will become far more cooperative. For this cooperation to work, projects will have to become more transparent and contracts for projects using BIM should include clear provisions for integrated, cooperative and transparent operations [19]. With an increasing need for investment in BIM, smaller companies might get a competitive disadvantage and will need to adapt, i.e. through cooperation with bigger companies [166]. Other results of BIM benefits in construction projects might be an increase in productivity and efficiency, as well as the reduction of planning risks for infrastructure projects [165].
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A gradual scheme by the BMVI: Application of BIM Level I is required for all new projects commissioned by the BMVI
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