Strategies of Implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Project Design Stage In Somalia

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) provides significant benefits to construction players. However, BIM in Somalia are still new and not implemented. This is due to lack of effective strategy in implementing BIM at project design stage. The aim of this project is to study the BIM barriers at the project design stage in Somalia’s construction industry. The literature review was carried out to determine BIM implementation in project design stage and strategies that implemented in another country. The survey questionnaires were distributed to the construction field players within the city of Mogadishu based on the results of the interview with project teams. Results of this study revealed that the level of using BIM is still low, that only 1.3% of the construction players have knowledge about BIM. Further, the barriers for implementing the BIM that ranked based on the highest mean value of 4.022 to 3.196 are lack of competent staff to operate BIM software and lack of knowledge about BIM, respectively. The proposed strategies to enhance effective implementation BIM which ranked base on the highest mean value from 3.989 to 3.641 are government encourage and force to make all design in BIM formats and provide a grant scheme for BIM training. In conclusion, for successful widespread application of BIM in Somalia, a good push from the government alone is far from enough. All other construction industry players mentioned must assume their roles well in promoting the use of BIM in their construction projects.