Exploration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and its Effects on the Quantity Surveying Proffesion in Uganda

Abstract

The quantity surveyor plays a vital role in the construction industry and is unequivocally part of the most complex and information-intensive industries throughout the world. As a result, the need for increased productivity of Quantity Surveyors has become a great concern for industry stakeholders. The decline in productivity has been induced by several factors resulting into increased wastages, time overruns, reworks, and cost overruns. This has resulted into the adoption of BIM as a solution to these challenges. This study undertook to explore BIM and assess its impact on the Q.S roles in Uganda. The methodology entailed adoption of a mixed methods research approach. The population encompassed 68 Q.S professionals operating in Kampala and are registered by the Surveyors Registration Board. Of the 68 Q.S professionals, 40 were selected as a sample using Yamane’s formula of sample size determination. The data collection tool employed was an online questionnaire and a 75% response rate was registered. Data was then analysed by use of descriptive statistics, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 and MS Excel. The study found out that majority of the respondents (71.4%), were aware of BIM use in the Quantity Surveying Profession. Furthermore, MS Excel was found out to be the most commonly used BIM tool among the respondents. The average number of years in practice in the use of BIM was 7.76 years, and improved design quality was identified to be the most known benefit associated with BIM adoption. The major conclusion of the study was that BIM has a future in the Ugandan construction industry. Although BIM has benefits for the industry, there are challenges that need to be addressed so that everyone can fully benefit. These challenges include; lack of sufficient training of the Quantity Surveyor, BIM licensing issues and industry resistance to process change, which were the most noted hindrances to BIM adoption by Quantity Surveyors in Uganda. Keywords: Building Information Modelling (BIM), Quantity Surveying Professions, Uganda.