Comprehensive analysis of BIM adoption: From narrow focus to holistic understanding

Despite ongoing research in Architectural, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO), little is understood about BIM's interaction with its adoption process. This paper conducts a comprehensive scoping review that utilises secondary data to systematically map the existing literature on the adoption of BIM within AECO organisations. A literature review identified 146 papers on BIM in AECO organisations, categorising them into 46 on pre-adoption, 85 on post-adoption, and 15 on both phases. Findings reveal a tendency towards a ‘tunnel vision’, isolating a single organisational aspect or adoption phase. However, the study finds that BIM significantly interacts with various organisational elements, such as environment, power dynamics, social structure, and culture, necessitating comprehensive changes and strategies both before and after adoption. Advocating for a holistic approach, the study emphasises integrating change management, continuous learning, and ongoing improvement in BIM implementation. This perspective is a significant contribution to understanding BIM's multifaceted impact in AECO organisations.