The BIM bottleneck (and how to fix it)

The potential for BIM and digital construction to create more sustainable, more efficiently run built estates is widely acknowledged, bringing streamlined processes, better data, and enhanced collaboration. But there are two persistent questions we hear from estate owners and managers. If BIM is so powerful, why do we still find ourselves facing so many information management challenges? And why aren’t we seeing the full benefits in the operational phase?

These questions formed the starting point for our recent webinar discussion. You can watch the full recording on our website to understand the common pitfalls and how to navigate them: Green Blueprint: Building a Sustainable Future with BIM and Digital Construction

You’ll find more in-depth discussions on trends in digital construction in our upcoming webinars  

Why BIM benefits don't always reach the owners

Following the introduction of BIM mandates, contractors and consultants have increasingly integrated BIM into their processes. But there’s often a disconnect when it comes to handing over from the construction to the operational phase, with the full benefits of BIM failing to translate over to building owners and operators. Common frustrations include:

• Dealing with poor or non-existent asset data, making proactive maintenance and strategic decision-making difficult.

• Losing valuable time searching through cumbersome O&M manuals for critical information.

• Wasting significant resources verifying unreliable or unrecorded information, impacting productivity and efficiency.

One of the core issues causing this is the "data disconnect" – a frequently encountered breakdown in the quality, integrity, and usability of information as it moves from the construction phase to the operational phase. If robust standards (including BIM) aren’t enforced by the client throughout the construction phase, then the quality of data at handover may be significantly degraded, leading to increased operational costs and unnecessary risk.  

A common scenario involves contractors producing and recording critical information using BIM-compliant tools, but then delivering that data to owners and operators in a format that they can’t easily access, because it requires lengthy reprocessing or substantial investment in new, specialist software. The value of the data is therefore locked away.  

Operational hurdles: applying BIM to existing estates

Looking beyond new buildings, there are also significant hurdles to overcome when considering the retained estate. A critical and all-too-frequent problem is the delay in handover information. It's not uncommon for buildings to become operational, with occupants moving in and systems running, months before the facilities team receives essential drawings, O&M manuals, or structured asset data. This delayed start immediately puts operations teams on the back foot.

And, effectively applying BIM principles to existing buildings (in many cases comprising older assets which lack complete data) brings its own challenges. For example, successfully integrating smart building technologies or creating digital twins relies entirely on having quality legacy data (or recreating it). If the foundational building and asset information is inaccurate, incomplete, or poorly structured, even the most advanced smart systems will fail to deliver their promised benefits.

The way forward: from BIM challenges to sustainable solutions

While these challenges are significant, they can be overcome by implementing a strategic, client-led approach to information management.  

Clients taking the lead

It’s imperative that building owners proactively drive this process, clearly defining their information needs from the beginning of any new build or refurbishment project. Documents such as Exchange Information Requirements (EIRs) and Asset Information Requirements (AIRs) are critical assets here.

Prioritising standardisation  

Enforcing robust information management standards across the entire building lifecycle – from initial design and construction right through to operation and even eventual decommissioning – is essential to maintain data integrity and usability.

Plugging knowledge gaps

Internal teams are the driving force behind successfully adopting and leveraging the full potential of BIM, so investing in training and upskilling is vital to ensuring they can understand and utilise the data effectively.  

Taking a holistic approach

BIM and information management mustn’t be seen as isolated project tasks, but embedded as part of the long-term strategy for the estate, including both new capital projects and management of existing built assets.

Aligning the new and the old

To create a truly unified data environment, the information standards specified for new capital projects should be consistent with those used for surveying, managing, and upgrading the retained estate. This ensures that all data, regardless of its origin, contributes to a single, reliable source of truth.

Unlocking the full potential of digital construction  

To create more sustainable, efficient, and future-ready built estates, a proactive and informed stance from building owners is needed. It’s about understanding common BIM bottlenecks and applying solutions based on clear requirements, robust standards, and empowered teams. If you want to learn more about overcoming these challenges and get support in designing and implementing effective digital strategies, Majenta can help. Get in touch using the link below to learn more.

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