A BIM-based information management schema for construction activities data-flow across the project life cycle

Excellent communication among project participants is critical to successful implementation of construction projects. However, the vast amount and variety of information and the physical dispersion of construction sites obstruct the flow and exchange of this information. Information management across the project life cycle is characterised by a system in which information exchange across projects is underutilised, thus threatening project success. Although BIM was introduced in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry to facilitate information sharing and management throughout the construction project life cycle, the existing medium of information transfer and retrieval is inefficient, resulting in numerous challenges in the information handling of construction projects. As a result, BIM within the AEC sector also presents a set of information management difficulties, such as interoperability issues, poor information flow, and a failure to integrate design phase data into later construction project phases. To address these information management challenges across the construction project lifecycle, this study aims to develop a BIM-based information management schema for construction activities data-flow across the project life cycle. The research begins with a review of the literature and employs a phenomenological design that adheres to the interpretive philosophical paradigm and a qualitative research technique. Then, a qualitative data collection strategy was used, which included multiple case studies of four UK construction firms, semi-structured interviews with experts from the selected construction industries, and document analysis. Finally, using NVivo 1.6.2 and thematic analysis, the collected data were qualitatively analysed. The literature review reveals several challenges. Some of these are poor pre-planning and design phase information, unspecified information according to each of the project phases, inadequate information needs/requirements, unclear goals for the generated information, interoperability issues and a lack of data standardisation, insufficient quality checks and assurance along the project workflow, and unmanaged information in the early project phases for availability in the subsequent phases. These challenges were also confirmed through the interviews and document analysis. Based on these identified challenges, a BIM-based information management schema was developed. The schema was presented in four (4) layers; the information components layer, the information requirements layer, the information flow and exchange layer, and the information delivery layer to address these challenges. The schema was later validated qualitatively. The validation process evaluated the developed schema to examine its components, quality, suitability, and usefulness for supporting and improving information management processes in construction operations in the UK and beyond. The result of the validation process shows that some information areas must be given top priority in order to have a well-planned BIM information management system. These areas include consideration of soft-landing initiatives, outline of the information components at each phase of the project life cycle, participation of all parties, including the client and facility manager, from the onset to the completion of the project, and data security, among others. In conclusion, the findings of this study will contribute to knowledge by providing a further understanding of BIM information management across the project life cycle. The proposed techniques could apply to various disciplines in the academic domain, including manufacturing, engineering, project/construction management, or facility management. The study would also benefit industrial practices by offering a direction or focus for those in charge of the construction operations and planning for managing information on construction activities across the project life cycle. In addition, the results and findings from the study could aid policymakers' drive to improve the adoption of BIM and digital twin for information management across the project life cycle.