Conceptual Framework and Roadmap Approach for Integrating BIM into Lifecycle Project Management

As a disruptive information and communication technology (ICT) in the architecture, engineering, construction, and operation (AECO) industry, building information modeling (BIM) enables project teams to manage a project via a model-based cooperative approach. Although it has a widespread impact on the industry, the systematic implementation of BIM in projects faces challenges. This study integrated BIM into the lifecycle of a building project with the introduction of a conceptual framework constituted by BIM Information Flow, BIM Model Chain, BIM Workflow, BIM Institutional Environment, and BIM-based Project Management Information System (PMIS). This conceptual framework identifies the key areas for integrating BIM into the project lifecycle and explains how BIM works for project management practice. Through an ethnographic action research approach, the study developed a BIM roadmap for the project lifecycle by systematically implementing BIM in the building project. The major findings and pieces of evidence derived via the implementation support the conceptual framework. The following discussions explain how BIM disrupts the project from the view of organization design and clarify the contributions of this study in project management, as well as BIM adoption and integration. Finally, the conclusions focus on the development of this research, the role of the conceptual framework to underlie the BIM roadmap, and the research limitations. Recommendations are provided toward future research works.