BIM manager, coordinator, consultant, analyst…, what does a confused AEC industry need?

Kouider, Tahar; Sykes, Paul; Hamma-adama, Mansur

Abstract

The rapid growth of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industries since its introduction around 2002 has highlighted a skills shortage within the industry whilst also leading to some confusion over the roles involved with BIM, particularly the BIM Manager. These factors can make recruiting the perfect BIM Manager difficult; especially with evidence also suggesting retaining personnel is a problem with many averaging less than two years per post before moving on. These issues are down to the industry having poor awareness of the skills and expertise BIM Managers can provide. This paper seeks to investigate the requirements for becoming a BIM Manager in terms of experience, training, skills and knowledge, whilst also assessing the different responsibilities between the various BIM management roles currently being used within the UK Construction Industry in order to clarify the current confusion. The investigation employed two research techniques. First, a comprehensive literature review that reviewed BIM roles and responsibilities at both project and corporate levels, before examining the characteristics of what is required to work with BIM. Second, a quantitative research survey that involved extracting key information from 25 BIM related job adverts that were posted throughout this study. The extracted data was then analysed to determine what is expected of potential BIM Managers in terms of education, working experience and skills. By comparing the findings of the two research techniques, it was possible to define what it takes to become a BIM Manager, whilst also separating responsibilities between management levels. The findings of this research culminated in defining a Project BIM Manager Job description/advertisement that responds to industry requirements. This job descriptor features the optimised role responsibilities at an SME alongside improved academic, professional and competency requirements that should lead to a higher quality recruitment process for employers.

Citation

KOUIDER, T., SYKES, P. and HAMMA-ADAMA, M. 2019. BIM manager, coordinator, consultant, analyst..., what does a confused AEC industry need? In Kouider, T. and Andersen, P.J. (eds.) 2019. Proceedings of the 8th International congress on architectural technology (ICAT 2019) [online]: architectural technology, facing the renovation and refurbishment challenge, 15 November 2019, Odense, Denmark. Aberdeen: Robert Gordon University, pages 67-88. Available from: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxhcmNodGVjaGNvbmdyZXNzMXxneDoxODg5NzZjZmE3NzYyNmZi

• Conference Name: 8th International congress on architectural technology (ICAT 2019): architectural technology, facing the renovation and refurbishment challenge
• Conference Location: Odense, Denmark
• Start Date: Nov 15, 2019
• Acceptance Date: Mar 1, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Dec 12, 2019
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jan 10, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 16, 2020
• Publisher: Robert Gordon University
• Pages: 67-88
• ISBN: 9781907349188
• Keywords: BIM manager; Role; Competency; Job descriptor
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/824420
• Publisher URL: https://sites.google.com/site/archtechcongress1/products-services/proceedings