Investigation into maturity management for building information modelling

Since the inception of the term Building Information Modelling (BIM), there has been a promise of improvements to processes utilised by the construction industry, through efficiency gains and reduced costs. Although the benefits of BIM are evident, the construction sector is still bound to a transactional method of collaboration, with information managed at a ‘file-level’ and exchanged between parties using staged-based transaction of information. This research investigates future opportunities for project delivery adopting more integrated practices, with stakeholders collaborating at a more precise individual element/component level to allow the realisation of more sophisticated analysis and delivery workflows. Therefore, this paper looks to assess how an ‘element-level’ definition, submittal and approval model can be utilised to manage the progression of construction information through the management of defined maturity states. The current progression management systems available to the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry communicate the scale of data sets through utilising characteristics such as Level of Detail (LOD) for graphical information, and Level of Information (LOI) for non-graphical information. However, this study aims to explore beyond these granularity scales by considering the management of the Permitted-Purpose of information and Approval processes; to propose a ‘model’ that could enhance the delivery process through improved management of information progression. Finally, the new model is investigated to support the evolution of information transfer from a stage-based transactional exchange at a file-level to a more defined and integrated system of collaboration, which brings more economy, efficiency and effectiveness to stakeholders delivering assets in the built environment.