Introduction

Construction projects can be complex processes that involve accomplishment of a series of tasks to meet its objectives. Hence, it is imperative that multiple stakeholders would be working in the project to accomplish each activity. In the absence of BIM (Building Information Modeling) standards, each of the stakeholders would be working individually in the project and when collaborating they would find their plans incompatible. Building information Modeling (BIM) enables real-time collaboration with individuals and makes the planning process appropriate. In this study a BIM level 2 based case study has been chosen and based on this the methods of BIM application process would be stated. St Helens and Knowsley Hospital construction projects in Merseyside, UK have been chosen for analysis. Despite the fact, it had been a refurbishment construction project, it had been BIM level 2 Compliant. This has enabled the project management process to be 10% more efficient. An analysis of this project shall help in identifying the specific aspects that have helped in implementing efficiency.

Ways the BIM application impact the multidisciplinary collaboration among the project stakeholders

The primary aim of BIM level 2 is to ensure collaboration within the project designing and execution stage, so that the management process can be accomplished with efficiency. For this information sharing right from the initiation to the closure stage is essential. Awwad et al. (2020) had commented that projects of all scale and sizes are expected to be accomplished through collaborative efforts. In fact, collaboration is a vital prerequisite for multidisciplinary as well as multi task based working environments. Further, it is essential for the project management team mates to have a clear understanding regarding the requirements of a project to generate collaborative efforts.

The St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals project had been a mix of refurbishment and new build for redesigning and developing an existing site into two different hospitals. In accordance with the project details, the BIM had neither been a 3D or a 4D model, however it had contained crucial information regarding the projects. It has been this specific aspect that has helped in facilitating multidisciplinary collaboration. As commented by Jin et al. (2019), in the designing phase of the project management process, the design team had to work with the management team in identification of the requirements of the projects. Based on this a feasibility analysis had been conducted through brainstorming sessions on discussions on potential ideas regarding project ideas and execution process. This specific aspect had helped in creation of integrated and high performance project designs.

In accordance with the views of Blay et al. (2019), it is not always possible for construction management professionals to achieve high levels of collaboration under usually chaotic circumstances. For the current St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals based projects, aspects of divergent perceptions had been observed to be present within all stakeholders. This further had created confusion and commotion within the feasibility discussion meetings. For efficiency Alazmeh et al.(2018), he commented that each team mate shall have to reach Consensus. In the current project, the feasibility discussion meetings had also obtained consensus. The impact of BIM level 2 modeling standards have been useful for the end users of the projects as well. Based on the views of Shilton (2018), current St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals based projects had been in line with both national as well as regional health priorities. Due to effective collaborative effort in the designing stage, the project had been able to meet its expected outcomes. Thus, the end users of the project had been able to access quality healthcare systems.

On analysis of the project management process, it can be commented that, implementation of BIM level two modeling standards have been implemented. Considering the complexity, BIM standards had helped in creation of a platform that had enabled stakeholders to share their ideas as well as interests regarding the project management process. Jallow et al. (2019) had commented that the construction industry is complex due to its fragmented operational structure. In this context, it can be commented that the BIM level 2 modeling process had covered up the complexities of the fragmented structure. Individual departments, working professionals and teams have completely benefited from the opportunities that had been created at level 2 of BIM modeling respectively.  Collectively, it can be commented that BIM modeling had been effective for the project as it had provided real time collaboration opportunities. This has led to massive improvements in the project management process and this can be reflected in the final outcomes of the projects.

Challenges in terms of procurement and contracts

Supply chain management process is the backbone of the construction Industry, it ensures that all materials in the inventory are present in time. Thus, projects can be executed in time, using the raw materials that have been procured in the Industry. Considering the complexities of construction projects, it can be commented that supply chain management shall have to be systematic. Whitlock et al. (2018) had mentioned creation of a systematic plan that would help in maintaining inventory stocks timely and prevent delays from occurring within the project. Ideally, supply chain management processes in construction projects are subjected to specific challenges. Based on findings by Sinenko et al. (2020), the following are some of the main challenges;

• Transparency and  visibility of the financial transactions
• Utilization of contracts and associated compliance
• Management of suppliers
• Optimizing costs of operations and making the project cost effective

Based on the views of Babatunde et al. (2019), it can be commented that redundancy and lack of information sharing practices have been the main reason behind the aforementioned issues. BIM level 2 modeling systems have been observed to offer constant possibilities for information sharing and can help in bringing values to supply chain management systems and contract management processes. Considering the advantages, the current St Helens and Knowsley Hospital projects have implemented BIM level 2standards for consistent information sharing regarding the supply chain management process. Awwad et al. (2020) had commented that customized ERP based systems provide project management teams with real time visualization of the inventory, the procurement process and the associated process.  Hence, for the current project ERP based systems have also been used. Apart from this, collaborative tools like, slack and Microsoft 365 had also been used by the project management team.  Visualizing the supply chain management information through the ERP systems and tracing the progress of the project management process, collaborative decisions can be made using the Communication software’s.

Contract management and vendor management becomes easy due to implementation of BIM level 2 standards in the operations management process. Jin et al. (2019) had commented that, prior to initiating the procurement process, the project management team is expected to identify the potential list of vendors. Hence for the St Helens and Knowsley Hospital projects, the project management team had identified vendors and hosted meetings with them. Based on the agreements contracts have been framed and both the parties have signed the agreements. Communication with the vendors, while the project execution is in process is essential. Situations may happen where the cost of materials, logistics or supply has increased due to the inflation rates. If the project management team is unaware of the changes, they would not be able to pay the required amount to the vendors. Along with this, the terms and conditions of the contract shall be violated and this can bring in legal troubles to the management team. Blay et al. (2019) had commented that, this aspect shall result in dissatisfaction amongst the vendors and the situation would result in financial risks in the project. Since BIM level 2 standards have been considered in the St Helens and Knowsley Hospital project, vendor relations have been maintained effectively. Vendors in most of the cases had been observed to be satisfied and had provided the required materials timely. Collectively, it can be commented that, BIM level 2 standards have also impacted the supply chain management systems and this, in turn, has boosted the efficiency of the project management.

Ways BIM considered throughout the life cycle of the project? Impact of BIM on project Lifecycle

Building Information modeling is a technique for imitating a construction project management process using the 3D Modeling process. In accordance with the views of Alazmeh et al. (2018), BIM enables integrated flow of information that helps in implementing collaborative efforts and enables accomplishment of project management processes systematically. Based on the benefits, the St Helens and Knowsley Hospital project had implemented Building information modeling standards. In this context, Shilton (2018) has edified that, it implements object oriented concepts to increase efficiency of information management in the lifecycle development process. Based on the views of Jallow et al. (2019), it can be stated that, by BIM standards, it can be used within the entire lifecycle of the project management process.

 

Figure: Framework for implementing BIM standards in the entire project management lifecycle

(Source: Adopted from a study by Xu et al.2018)

The image that has been provided above, describes the entire project management process into three lifecycle stages; design, construction and operations. This has been the framework that has been used for management of Life Cycles of the entire project. As mentioned above, the D-BIM includes information that comes into existence from the design phase in the project management process. The design phase dictated the demands of the client and BIM had helped in amalgamating the information and creating project blueprints. Whitlock et al. (2018) had commented that due to BIM level 2 standards, group discussion had been organized with the planners, managers and other stakeholders. Group discussions and brainstorming sessions with consensus have been the basis of designing and planning the project. Appropriate systems and technologies have been in place that have helped in constant visualization of information that had been used for the decision making process.

The C-BIM contained information that had been generated from the execution or the construction phase of the project. Xu et al.(2018) had commented that execution is the longest and the most complicated phase of project management. In construction projects, the project managers could not afford to have errors in this stage. Small errors can lead to failure of the project management process and induce financial risks in the project management process. Project tracking software like Microsoft project or project Libre have been implemented so that each member associated in this stage can visualize the targets and update the tasks that have been accomplished. Based on the variance generated, meetings had been created so that appropriate control measures could be taken in accomplishing the project. Implementation of Appropriate communication management framework had been essential, hence the same had been implemented so that there had been a consistent flow of information in the execution phase

The O-BIM had been used for information management in the operations management process, this included information generated from Supply chain management process and financial management process. Sinenko et al. (2020) had commented, since this segment of the project management lifecycle is fragmented, hence, information has to be grouped into subcategories. For the current project management process information has been sub grouped into; general information, project related information and management information. This has further enabled effective information management as well as flow throughout the project management process. Information management systems like Database management systems have been implemented in the project for storage of information.

Proposal for Implementing Digital Twin Principles

Technology has massively upgraded itself in the past few decades, hence its application in the construction project industry has also been enhanced effectively. Salem and Dragomir (2022) had commented that, Application of Digital twin in construction projects have gained prominence recently. In this context, a digital twin can be defined as the digital replica of an object and has been used to identify how the outcomes would perform under prescribed situations. As of now the concept has been observed to be under research, however, it can be commented that Digital Twins are used for enhancement of performance and efficiency of projects.

Figure 2: Proposed Architecture for Implementing Digital Twins in construction projects

(Sources: Influenced from a study by Salem and Dragomir, 2022)

The image provided above represents the process that can be proposed to develop digital twins for construction projects. Salem and Dragomir (2022) had commented that the aforementioned framework is robust and has proved to be effective for medium scale projects. The approach that has been mentioned in the framework is based on a modified version of BIM (Building Information Modelling) framework and that of the BCTA (Building Control Techniques and Applications) framework. Information that has been stated in the image in the form of Boxes represents the activities that would be performed in the construction projects. IOT based technology shall be used within the systems so that information can be shared within the activities of the project management process.

In this context, Salem and Dragomir (2022) had commented that the digital twin system can support the performance data gathering and monitoring process, through automatic scanning of each subsystem. Human interventions would be required in complex situations and cases. In all other cases, the performance of the elements or subsystem within the operations management process would be automated. Machine learning technologies can also be implemented within the project management process. In this context, it can be commented that, in ML information would be fed into the automated systems and they would be performed in accordance with the data that had been fed (Salem and Dragomir, 2022). Human interventions can be implemented while feeding data within automated systems. This shall help in controlling the type of data that would be fed to the Digital twin System, thus maintaining accuracy of the digital twins.

Conclusion

Construction project management processes have been observed to be complex and require systematic processes to be accomplished. BIM (Building Information Modeling) information modeling standards are information management systems that allow sharing of information in a project and allow smoothness. The level 2 of this model has been observed to state that construction project management processes shall have to take place collaboratively. For analysis St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals construction projects in Merseyside, UK have been chosen for analysis. The project contains a mix of new build and refurbishment projects. On analysis of the project management process, it can be commented that, implementation of BIM level two modeling standards have been implemented. Thus, IT based systems have been used for information management and sharing. This has enabled free flow of collaborative efforts for management of projects. The study had discussed well, the ways BIM can be implemented within the project management lifecycle modeling systems. Apart from this, the approaches for development of digital Twins have also been suggested in the study.  The approach that has been mentioned in the framework is based on a modified version of the BIM framework and that of the BCTA framework. The entire process is expected to be automated, however, human interventions would be required in the project management process.

Reference List

Alazmeh, N.I.D.A.A., Underwood, J.A.S.O.N. and Coates, P., (2018). Implementing a BIM collaborative workflow in the UK construction market. International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, 13(1), pp.24-35.

Awwad, K.A., Shibani, A. and Ghostin, M., (2020). Exploring the critical success factors influencing BIM level 2 implementation in the UK construction industry: the case of SMEs. International journal of construction management, pp.1-8.

Babatunde, S.O., Ekundayo, D.O. and Adekunle, A.O., (2019), September. Analysis of BIM maturity level among AEC firms in developing countries: A case of Nigeria. In Proceedings of the 35th Annual ARCOM Conference (pp. 225-234). Association of Researchers in Construction Management.

Blay, K.B., Tuuli, M.M. and France-Mensah, J., (2019). Managing change in BIM-Level 2 projects: benefits, challenges, and opportunities. Built Environment Project and Asset Management.

Jallow, H., Renukappa, S., Suresh, S. and Alneyadi, A., (2019), April. Implementing a BIM collaborative workflow in the UK infrastructure sector. In Proceedings of the 2019 3rd International Conference on Information System and Data Mining (pp. 103-108).

Jin, R., Zou, Y., Gidado, K., Ashton, P. and Painting, N., (2019). Scientometric analysis of BIM-based research in construction engineering and management. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management.

Salem, T. and Dragomir, M., (2022). Options for and Challenges of Employing Digital Twins in Construction Management. Applied Sciences, 12(6), p.2928.

Shilton, M., (2018). Digital Futures–BIM in Landscape Design: A UK Perspective. Journal of Digital Landscape Architecture, pp.3-2018.

Sinenko, S., Hanitsch, P., Aliev, S. and Volovik, M., (2020). The implementation of BIM in construction projects. In E3S Web of Conferences (Vol. 164, p. 08002). EDP Sciences.

Whitlock, K., Abanda, F.H., Manjia, M.B., Pettang, C. and Nkeng, G.E., (2018). BIM for construction site logistics management. Journal of Engineering, Project, and Production Management, 8(1), p.47.

Xu, X., Ma, L. and Ding, L., (2018). A framework for BIM-enabled life-cycle information management of construction project. International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems, 11(8), p.126.