The influence of managerial strategy on the implementation of BIM in facilities management: a case study

The implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in lifecycle management can positively impact the performance of Facilities Management (FM) operations. However, the adoption of BIM in FM has been slow due to a lack of sufficient know-how in implementation. This study aims to explore the drivers and challenges for BIM adoption in FM in a showcase organization, with a particular emphasis on managerial strategy including the influence of policy. A case study that illustrates the journey of a tertiary institution, which is an early adopter of BIM, is presented. It details the interviews conducted with the upper and mid-level institutional representatives, and reviews of BIM-related documentation. Aspects of managerial approach are analyzed, including their motivation, organizational policy, choice of BIM uses and requirements, procurement planning, adoption strategies and technological impact. It was found that the top-down approach of managerial strategy has greatly influenced the sustainability and success of the BIM process downstream. The paper concludes with an evaluation of lessons learnt following an analysis of the recorded experiences. The documentation of these experiences will provide a needed source of information and lessons illuminating skill sets, decision styles and strategies for organizations planning to implement BIM in FM.