Abstract
International construction projects (ICPs) have become more popular in the current wave of globalization. The Building Information Model (BIM) has been adopted in ICPs. However, the utility of the BIM in ICPs for effective risk control remains unclear. This paper maps the relationship between ICP risks and BIM use to improve the adoption and selection of the BIM. The results show that the BIM can effectively facilitate communication management, mitigating risks engendered by language barriers among stakeholders, for instance, design errors. The BIM can also effectively mitigate risks caused by particular and temporal differences during the construction process. This research highlights internal/technical ICP risks that can be effectively mitigated by certain applications of the BIM; however, in contrast, external risks of ICPs cannot be mitigated by the BIM. However, some risks need to be addressed by new BIM functions. For example, regarding legal risks, laws and regulations of various countries can be included in the BIM information integration model to facilitate timely acquisition of legal provisions by project participants. This study complements prior risk-management research, which typically focused on the BIM as an advanced tool by which to manage project risk, such as design errors, quality, and budget. Practically, the contractor and owner can select suitable BIM applications for different project objectives and risks in the pre-project phase.
1. Introduction
The rapid adoption and development of the Building Information Model (BIM) has brought tremendous advantages to construction enterprises. However, new risks exist due to the characteristics of international construction, such as cross-cultural differences, multiple stakeholders, and legal and standards differences [1]. Although many BIMs have the capability to address complex construction problems, BIMs are still in the development stage, and new uses of BIMs are constantly emerging [2, 3]. Previous studies have reviewed various applications of BIMs, from 4D scheduling aspects [4], 5D cost aspects [2, 5], facility management [6], sustainability [7, 8], safety aspects [9], and general BIM tools for construction management [10]. These important studies provide useful references for end-users in selecting suitable BIM applications for their projects. Most risk-management research based on BIMs focused on the BIM as an advanced tool by which to manage project risk, such as design errors, quality, budget, and visual perspective, but did not typically address ICPs’ risk management explicitly [9]; however, most ICP risks related to proposed contract conflict and design error are caused by language differences. However, very little information is available as to select language barrier based from the perspective of ICP risks. Furthermore, reviews of BIM use in international construction risk management are few in number. Therefore, BIM cannot currently be effectively promoted and used in ICP management.
Hence, this study maps the relationship between ICP risk and BIM application to improve the adoption and selection of the BIM. The linkage between BIM application and ICP risks helps provide effective control or prevention of risks and thereby improve project performance. This study involved two main research tasks. First, a critical review was conducted to compile a list of ICP risks and BIM applications in construction projects. Subsequently, a panel discussion method was used to analyze the BIM applications in association with ICP risks. Second, a meta-network method was adopted to analyze which BIM applications would be of utility in ICPs to help achieve project objectives in terms of cost, time, quality, safety, and environment. This paper is organized into five sections. Section 1 explains the study’s theoretical background. Section 2 describes the critical review and research design. Section 3 explains the results of the meta-network analysis. Section 4 discusses the study’s research contributions. Section 5 summarizes the study’s research findings, highlights its limitations, and presents suggestions for future studies.
In recent years, the risks associated with ICPs have gradually increased, due to the increased complexity and requirements of these projects. There is a wide range of risks associated with ICPs, such as structural risks, construction risks, health and safety risks, financial risks, and environmental risks. Risk management is critical to the success of any construction project. Several studies [11, 12] have shown that current risk management approaches largely depend on experience and multidisciplinary knowledge.
Moreover, there is a lack of interaction among types of risk information in current risk management approaches [9]. This may lead to information that is not effectively shared, recorded, and updated during the development of a project. Large amounts of risk information may be lost if they are not properly recorded and communicated to other project participants.
In recent years, information models have become increasingly popular. These models offer the potential for collaboration and communication, increased productivity and quality, and reduced project costs and implementation time [13]. Data-based collaboration and communication environments help identify and mitigate risks early [14, 15]. BIMs have become a systematic approach and process that have changed the presentation of projects [16], design [17], and communication [18]. Many studies have proposed BIMs as a tool for managing project risks, involving design errors, occupational safety, quality, and budget, but they often do not directly reference the concept of risk management. Risk management will play a more important role as project participants begin to use these latest technologies as part of their daily work.
Since BIM technology can integrate information in an nD model [19], future BIM applications could process risk-management data [20]. In the construction industry, BIMs are continuing to develop; in practice, companies want to advance implementation theory and make full use of BIM-based tools to improve project performance and risk management [10]. However, in the current construction industry, the sharing and communication of risk information are often incomplete and inconsistent; it is necessary to integrate and visualize this information through BIMs. However, there is little BIM-related research that has focused on international construction project risk management.
Related studies of BIMs in international construction risk management have illustrated that the 4D system can visually simulate a proposed construction sequence, via which planners could easily identify potential risks [21]. Additionally, 3D visualization has been deployed to review and understand the degree and location of damaged components of a building when assessing potential hazards [22]. The 5D automated cost estimating model has been used to provide more accurate cash flow forecasts [23], and decision-making for workspace analysis [24]. However, these studies have yet to address ICP’s critical risks, such as those related to language barriers, cultural barrier, and natural disaster. Furthermore, the studies to date only independently discussed BIM applications for specific risks; however, in construction projects, risks are often interrelated. Therefore, BIM applications should be considered holistically with respect to ICP risks.
2. Materials and Methods
The main research framework and research process of this study are shown in Figure 1. A detailed description of each step and method is provided below.
2.1. Critical Review of ICP Risks and BIM Applications
First, an in-depth literature review was conducted to determine the research trends in this field and the major research omissions, including the following aspects: (1) selecting classic literature on risk definition and risk management in ICPs; (2) assessing the development and application of BIMs in the construction industry, new BIM software, and other relevant literature to analyze international construction risk management and BIMs. Details of the ICP risks are shown in Table 1.
To compile the list of BIM applications in construction projects, more than one hundred peer-reviewed academic publications and twenty-five (25) BIM guidelines were selected and reviewed. PMBOK (2013) was also selected as a main reference. The details of BIM applications are shown in Table 2.
2.2. Panel Discussion of BIM Applications from the Perspective of ICP Risks
The panel discussion assessed BIM applications with respect to international construction risks. Twenty-four core project managers discussed a scenario simulation, based on grounded theory. This enabled generation of an international construction project risk-correlation matrix. This component of the study consisted of preliminary analysis, in-depth interviews, the establishment of an initial indicator set, and panel discussions of BIM application with respect to risk factors. The profile of the respondents is shown in Table 3.
The panel discussions commenced with an introduction of the discussion topic. The purpose of the discussions was to identify the role of BIM application in risk management of international engineering projects. Each panelist first assessed the identified BIM applications and verified whether the main uses of BIMs were represented. Second, the utility and benefits of these BIM applications were considered. Then, the particular role of these applications in risk management of international construction projects was discussed. Finally, the panelists’ comments were summarized; panel discussion process is shown in Figure 2.
The project managers then evaluated the correlation between risks and BIM application, via a risk matrix. Respondents were asked to directly score the matrix according to the influence of BIM aspect X on risk Y. The respondent was asked to consider all possible relationships and their directions. To quantify the relationships, respondents used a scale from 1 to 5 to represent the impact of the influence as well as the probability that this influence occurs [67]. If the respondent considered that there was no relationship between two risks, a value of 0 was assigned.
To obtain the degree of interaction between different risks and risk factors, a risk-structure matrix was used to evaluate the relationship between risks, risk impact on project objectives, and risk factors. To reflect the effect of the two directions, risk A on risk B and vice versa, but this needs to be stated explicitly for each type of bidirectional relationship, a numerical matrix corresponding to the two directions was aggregated, using geometric averages. The risk management intensity matrix was then obtained as , among . According to Yang and Zou’s method of measuring the degree of association of each risk node, Rj, Sj expressed the degree of association of each risk node Rj, which was equal to the sum of all the elements of the row vector in the risk matrix and all the elements of the vector in the risk column.
Based on the panel discussion, the links between risks and BIM for risks were assessed. First, matrices for different network relationships were established, namely, the matrix representing the impact of risk on project objectives, that representing the interaction between risks, and that representing the impact of risk factors on risk. A total of 24 panelists’ comments were collected from the on-site panel discussion with project managers.
2.3. Meta-Network Analysis
Finally, the assessment structures were inputted to a meta-network analysis tool (ORA-NetScences), to establish a network of risk interactions in the implementation phase of ICPs. From a network perspective, important risks and risk factors that influence project objectives were identified and analyzed.
Meta-network theory describes the commitment of resources, assignment, networks, and skills (PCANS), according to a model developed by Krackhardt and Carley [68]. These elements constitute a set of nodes, and relationships among these elements constitute a set of relationships. The meta-network provides a promising way by which to understand and visualize the complex interactions in a project’s organizational network [69, 70]. The meta-network is multilayer, multilevel, and multimodal and can reveal the complex network systems in a project and identify the relationships between networks [69]. Recent network analysis approaches only address “who” is in the network, but the meta-network can simulate and analyze “who, when, where, what, and why” [69]. In a project’s meta-network, changes in one network cascade into changes in other networks, thereby influencing the overall performance of the project [71].
The analysis was based on different types of nodes and links. In particular, there were four types of nodes: project objective (cost, time, quality, safety, and environment), 16 risk nodes (R1-R16, shown in Table 1), risk factors nodes (F1–F84, shown in Table 1), and 25 BIM application nodes (BC1-BC25, shown in Table 2). The types of networks among the different nodes were as follows: risk factor network (risks × factors), risk event network (risks × risks), risk mitigation network (BIM × risks), and risk influence network (risks × objectives). The links in the different networks have different weights that reflect the degree of influence transfer. The purpose of this study was to determine the overall risk network of the project and changes in the overall risk network of the project given risk control measures, by understanding the relationships between different risk factors and the impact of different risk factors.
To reflect the overall effect of the two directions, the numerical matrix corresponding to the two directions was aggregated using a geometric average, and the risk-management intensity matrix obtained. The network connections in the meta-network were expressed by two directional influence matrices. All numerical matrices corresponded to the panel discussion results explained in Section 3.1. The outcome was a weighted graph , where N represents the total number of nodes (risks) and K the total number of weighted links (relationships). The stakeholder category associated with each node is distinguished by color in the figures shown here. The thickness of each link represents its weight [72]. The meta-network analysis visualizes changes in the network, in network density, in the number of links (link count), and in the number of nodes.
3. Results
3.1. BIM Application to ICP Risk Meta-Network
Figure 3 shows the BIM-based ICP risk network, including the risk factor network (risks × factors), risk event network (risks × risks), risk mitigation network (BIM × risks), and risk influence network (risks × objectives); the network statistics and network link count statistics are shown in Tables 4 and 5. The central network shows the most used BIM applications (green nodes). In the middle network, yellow nodes represent risk factors with a direct relationship between BIM types and risk factors. Also shown are the five project objectives, such as cost, time, quality, HS-health and safety, and E-environment. The whole circle of the network shows the risks, five project objectives, risk factors, and BIM uses.
The main BIM application that affects risk displayed in the meta-network center is 3D visualization and design. 3D visualization and design: after establishing a 3D design model with attribute information (e.g., for equipment, pipeline, civil engineering) permitting full collision inspection, 3D audit, and 3D check, a BIM can directly generate or extract 3D design drawings and bills of materials, thereby preventing design errors, risk of material accounting errors, and so forth.
Effective communication with the owner: due to the language barriers associated with international engineering, the contractor and foreign owner often cannot communicate fully and effectively. Here, BIM technology may be used to integrate the professional design content into a visual 3D model. Regular review by the project manager and the owner will not only facilitate the owner’s understanding of the real-time progress of the design but also facilitate communication and agreement between the owner and contractor in a visual environment, effectively reducing the amount of rework on-site (e.g., preventing design changes, communication disputes, engineering disputes, rework, etc.).
Simulation and optimization of construction scheme: in complicated projects, the difficulties and key points of the construction can be found in advance, and the construction scheme can be further optimized.
BIM visualization model and roaming use: textual technical content can be expressed in a visual model, so that construction personnel can more intuitively and deeply understand technical content. This may improve professional collaborative communication efficiency, avoid unnecessary material and labor waste, and reduce the workload associated with reading materials.
Construction progress auxiliary management: visual management of the advance schedule of the construction project can facilitate reasonable arrangement of construction procedures, installation progress, reduction of waste, and improving efficiency.
Composition and material control: statistical engineering, based on a 3D model and construction organization, can improve quota design, subproject quantity statistics, real-time multicount comparison, and facilitating cost control.
The model can obtain information on all materials, physical quantities, and quotas to release materials, thereby saving material usage and reducing costs. After the project is completed, the actual material usage and planned material usage will be automatically counted and analyzed, which provides a reliable reference when costing similar projects in future.
In the network analysis, the most influential BIM was the 5D model (Figure 4). The BIM 5D cost estimate is centrally located in the network and influences project costs and schedule targets, especially for project contract risks, security risks, and subcontractor risks. This information can be used to display virtual project builds for other stakeholders and thereby discover project-relevant information. Additionally, the model simplifies the concept of the project; misunderstandings among stakeholders are reduced because they can see the final design before the project starts. Any changes that occur during the build process, such architectural alterations, are automatically transferred to the model, and everyone can access the new information. The greatest benefit is that anyone involved in the project has access to geometry, required resources, time, and cost, which enables all stakeholders to make quick decisions and reduces any misunderstandings that may occur.
The meta-network also can show the different networks relations. The direct relationships between the four meta-networks were demonstrated by node cross-analysis, shown in Figure 4. BIM types (in the network node named “Resources”) have the most nodes and connections throughout the network, indicating that BIMs play a major role in the risk-management network. Moreover, of all relationships, that between BIM and risk factors was the strongest.
Figure 5 shows the network simulation result based on maximum likelihood estimation. Greater likelihood represents a greater chance that the event will occur under different conditions when the result is known. The results show that the central-hub assumptions in the network differed from other probability assumptions.
After applying BIMs, the density of the entire risk network was reduced by 69%. The 5D BIM network contained 164 links, which reduced risk by approximately 56%, with nodes reducing in number by 36% (reasonable cost planning, cost control). The 3D BIM network contained 232 links, which reduced risk by c. 23%, with the number of nodes reducing by 25%. The disaster plan network contained 251 links, reducing risk by c. 17% (reduced risk of personnel safety accidents), and nodes by 19%. The communication platform network contained 235 links, reducing risk by c. 22%, and nodes by 23% by promoting early risk identification and risk communication.
The best potential risk management paths were identified by determining the shortest paths that could control links. For example, for the 5D BIM to COST, the shortest path length was 5, and the number of shortest paths was 1. For the path Owner’s requirements unclear (F71) ⟶ Technical and design changes (R11) ⟶ Cost (6.16) affected value; in the initial contract, the owner’s requirements are not clear or the owner does not document requirements, which will lead to technical and design changes during project implementation, which will increase workload and/or increase costs due to the need for new designs. The path Design errors (F74) ⟶ Technology and design changes (R11) ⟶ Cost (5.86) signifies that design errors are also a primary factor in design changes and continue to affect project costs.
4. Discussion
4.1. Theoretical Contribution
The meta-network revealed that BIMs can control internal risks and technical risks in ICPs, but they cannot control the external risks of ICPs. Political risk can be reduced by reviewing the country risk index (world political risk report). Social and cultural risks can be reduced by purchasing insurance (MIGA/AIG/KLIN). Legal risks can be addressed by including the laws and regulations of various countries in the BIM information-integration model to facilitate the timely acquisition of relevant legal provisions. Economic risk can be addressed by including exchange rates between countries and interest rate changes in a 5D BIM at regular intervals; project financial managers or owners and contractors can regularly check the relevant information and adjust the project cost plan and construction plan according to economic changes. Health risk can be ameliorated using a safety management model to train staff on personal hygiene, and utilizing health screenings for timely detection of physical illness among staff. Environmental risk can be addressed via the platform or model of management of the environment to be developed, with its associated environmental management procedures and system management.
Advantages of BIMs have been studied thoroughly, and the rapidly available benefits contractors have obtained have been categorized in detail [73]. The process of facilitating BIM adoption and the latent challenges are being reciprocally studied [74, 75]. In practice, enterprises need to advance implementation theories to fully use BIM-based tools and thereby improve project functionality [10]. While some features of BIMs can help address project risk, it is not possible to conduct comprehensive risk management.
Most risk-management research based on BIMs has focused on the BIM as an advanced tool by which to manage project risk, such as design errors, quality, and budget, from a visual perspective, but has rarely explicitly referenced ICP risk management [9]. Most ICP risks related to the proposed contract and design errors are caused by language differences; BIMs may help ameliorate the consequence of the risks.
4.2. Practical Implications
The practical implications of this research can be discussed from three perspectives, namely, shortage of talents, software issues, and government policy. From the perspective of the shortage of talents, the lack of individuals familiar with BIMs is the main problem underlying the application of BIM technology in enterprises. This includes a lack of professionals qualified to implement BIMs and a lack of systematic BIM technical training. BIM talent is the primary issue that needs to be addressed before BIM technology can be applied widely. Different national stakeholders have different perceptions and knowledge of BIMs. Therefore, it will take time for BIMs to be applied in ICPs.
Regarding technology issues, each country has developed different software, and compatibility and usability of packages differ. Therefore, before implementing a project, all parties should determine the software that will be used and the necessary standards. From an economic perspective, the benefits of deep application of BIM technology for enterprises are uncertain. The unclear long-term return on investment and high input costs have hindered the wide application of BIM technology.
From the perspective of government policy, there is currently no relevant BIM standard in the industry; each country has different BIM standards. Thus, legal liability discrepancies are unknown, which hinders the use of BIM software and the deep application of BIM technology. At present, the development of BIM technology needs further research and improvement, and potentially even changes in standards, processes, software, and policies because different owners and contractors have different understanding of BIM in different countries. As well as the aforementioned software compatibility issues, there exist difficulties in model management as data security differs among networks, as do network speeds; these issues incur the risk of data loss. The unclear legal liability associated with the BIM system, intellectual property issues, model ownership issues, and ownership of data mean that BIM has a high short-term cost. Further, many participants in international engineering projects attach great importance to their interests and image, and data input that intentionally conceals real data may occur, reducing data reliability.
Finally, the main practical contribution of this research is its suggestion of appropriate BIM applications to various stakeholders, contractors, and project owners, according to their own project objectives and major risks in the early stage of the project.
5. Conclusion
This study mapped the relationship between ICP risks and BIM applications. A BIM project risk-mitigation network was constructed. From the perspective of the ICP risk network, the BIM has a notable ability to prevent design errors and design change risks. BIM use has great potential to prevent risks, as evidenced by the risk network, which incorporated BIM architecture, management structure model, quality and safety management, site analysis, and collaborative management platform. BIMs can help users visualize risk information and understand the exact location of risk in the project, and help stakeholders understand risk and its impact on project duration. BIMs potentially eliminate the risks caused by language barriers in international engineering projects and improve risk communication and risk information management. BIMs can also eliminate time issues in information communication inherent to international engineering projects. By combining specific BIMs, stakeholders and contractors in different countries can view relevant content in real time and change incorrect or conflicting content in timely manner.
However, promoting the BIM use in international engineering projects presents some difficulties. From a technical point of view, the software developed in different countries lacks compatibility. Differences in data security levels and network speeds among networks pose a risk of data loss. In terms of management, difficulties may arise due to differences in professional models used among countries, owners, and contractors, who have different understandings of BIMs. Further, different BIM standards and BIM specifications will lead to information loss and affect cooperation. The legal liabilities associated with the BIM system are not clear concerning intellectual property rights, model ownership, data ownership, and so on. These problems should be addressed in the contract, to avoid later conflicts.
Certain limitations need to be considered when interpreting the research findings. First, the results of the risk assessment might only apply to Chinese international project contractors. Other types of projects or contractors in other countries may face different situations regarding risk management of ICPs. Nevertheless, the meta-network approach itself is generalizable and can be used in other similar risk management studies in different countries. Second, this study did not consider the role of BIMs in international project management from the perspective of BIM technology and software development. The study only assessed and interpreted the role of BIMs in ICP risk management from a management perspective. Future research is needed to combine management and technical aspects, which might require the design and development of related BIM software. Finally, the integrated management of the final risk mitigation strategy needs to be verified in an actual project.
Data Availability
The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that they have no financial and personal relationships with anyone or any entity whose interests could be positively or negatively influenced by the content of this paper.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 51878382) for their support of this study. The authors are also grateful for input received from the industry professionals who participated in this research.