BIM-BASED COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: A CENTRALIZED INFORMATION REPOSITORY FOR REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION

Abstract

Owning to the fragmented, uncertain, and dynamic nature of construction projects, the construction industry is being criticized across the globe mainly due to its inefficiency and disintegrated approach. The construction industry is dependent on effective communication among project stakeholders. Request for Information (RFI) is a communication tool to facilitate the resolution of or clarify, construction issues. Building Information Modeling (BIM) has emerged as a favorable and significant development in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry (AEC) as a shared information resource, but there are still challenges that need to be resolved, such as proper communication and coordination among project stakeholders. To observe the BIM-driven communication and information management transformation, this study formulated a theoretical framework, at first, to digitalize the RFI process. Then, a plugin (BIM-CIM) for the management of the RFI process was developed. Feedback from industry practitioners highlighted the benefits of using the BIM-CIM plugin. It is concluded that the project stakeholders can benefit greatly from a BIM-based RFI communication and information management system, this will also ensure effective penetration of BIM in the construction sector