Gao, W; Lu, W and Fung, A (2025) OpenBIM in the global architecture engineering and construction industry: A literature review of academic research. International Journal of Construction Management, 25(9), pp. 1008-1020. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
Much has been said to promote openBIM. However, little has been done to articulate its past, present, and future prospects. This paper aims at reporting a critical review of academic research on openBIM in the global architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Through a systematic filtering process, we selected articles that are relevant, comprehensive, and with clear definitions of openBIM. Non-academic publications and studies with insufficient details were excluded. This process allowed for an initial review of 335 publications, narrowed to 49 academic journal articles published from 2009 to 2024. We discovered that in the past 15 years the openBIM literature has been expanding steadily along with openBIM industry applications. However, we identified four limitations of this expansion: (1) lack of interoperability, (2) library readiness, (3) domain knowledge gaps, and (4) lack of liability issues. Continuous improvement of the openBIM domain is needed, including standardizing codes, training talents, and exploring potential collaborations with other technologies.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | architecture, engineering, and construction industry; industry foundation classes; information collaboration; interoperability; openbim |
| Index terms: | collaboration, publication, liability, journal, literature review, industry foundation classes, interoperability, construction industry, continuous improvement |
| Subjects: | computational design, research dissemination and communication, liability law, data analysis and analytics, industry analysis, systems and processes, management, performance measurement |
| Topics: | Information Management, Research Practice, Organizational Design, Digital Applications, Quality Management, Legal Issues |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here