Professional development of the BIM actor role

Journal article, 2019

The implementation of building information modeling (BIM) has resulted in the development of new roles for BIM actors, but few empirical studies have been conducted on how these roles develop professionally. The present study investigates the professional development of the BIM actor and how this role is perceived by BIM actors and non-BIM actors in Sweden. The study uses a questionnaire (N=342) in eight companies, comprised of contractors, architects, and clients. The BIM and non-BIM actors were compared on similarities and significant differences in their characteristics, tasks, experience, education, and barriers to the role’s development. We found that BIM actors perceive their role, characteristics, tasks and education as coordinating and driving change. However, non-BIM actors perceive the BIM actor role as focusing more on technical skills than on softer skills. The perceptions of the two groups indicate possible tensions toward the future professional development of the BIM actor role.