BIM adoption has increased significantly between 2007 and 2012, with 71% of firms now using BIM. Contractors have become the leading users of BIM, surpassing architects. The top benefits experienced by users are reduced errors/omissions and increased business opportunities. As BIM expertise and use has grown, more firms report higher benefits in areas like reduced rework. Improved software interoperability is seen as key to increasing BIM value. Over 60% of users now achieve a positive ROI, with factors like improved productivity and process outcomes contributing the most.

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Corporate Partner
THE BUSINESS VALUE OF BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING (BIM)
IN NORTH AMERICA: Multi-Year Trend Analysis and User Ratings
Key Findings from McGraw-Hill Construction’s New BIM SmartMarket Research Study
HOW HAS BIM ADOPTION The percentage of companies HOW DOES BIM ALLOW
CHANGED? DIFFERENT COMPANIES TO DO
using BIM jumped from 28%
When McGraw-Hill Construction first BUSINESS MORE EFFECTIVELY?
in 2007, to 49% in 2009, and
began to track BIM adoption in 2007, The growth in BIM expertise has led to
only 28% of companies were BIM users.
to 71% in 2012. a growth in the benefits experienced by
By 2009, that figure had grown to 49%, For the first time ever, more BIM users. Compared to 2009, a greater
and in now in 2012, 71% of the firms percentage of users in 2012 report get-
surveyed report using BIM.
contractors are using BIM ting high to very high value from BIM on
than architects. ten out of eleven evaluated benefits.
In the past, adoption also varied widely
by profession, with architects leading the ■ The top two benefits of BIM use in
industry. However, in 2012, contractors BIM Adoption by Player (2009–2012) both 2009 and 2012 were reduced
became the leading adopters of BIM, document errors and omissions and
2009 2012
with 74% reporting that they use the the ability to market new business—
software. In addition, adoption is now 80% over 50% of construction industry
74%
more universal across the construction 70% professionals on average report
67%
industry. Strong increases in BIM use by these benefits at high to very high
60% 58%
contractors and engineers have narrowed value.
a 16% gap in the 2009 adoption levels to 50%
■ The benefits of reduced rework and
a mere 7% in 2012. These more uni- 42%
40% new services offerings were also
form adoption rates clearly indicate the widely noted as having value in both
increasing acceptance of BIM across all 2009 and 2012.
company types. 20%
These top benefits are now widely
The number of professionals who con- recognized, and therefore, becoming
sider themselves advanced or expert BIM 0%
expected by the industry.
users also increased significantly—up Contractors Engineers Architects
from 42% in 2009 to 54% in 2012. This Equally revealing are the benefits that
Source: The Business Value of BIM in North America: Multi-Year
suggests that for many of these firms, Trend Analysis and User Ratings SmartMarket Report, McGraw-Hill
a much higher percentage of firms in
BIM is now a fundamental part of their Construction, 2012. 2012 are experiencing versus 2009.
workplace. One factor that distinguishes these from
other benefits reported is that they each
require an extended and intensive use
WHAT WILL ALLOW DIFFERENT Most Important Factor to Increase BIM’s Value of BIM across many projects to observe.
PLAYERS TO SEE GREATER The rise in these benefits suggests a
PLAYER TOP RESPONSE
VALUE FROM BIM IN THE FUTURE? maturing market, in which sophisticated
Architects More owners asking for BIM users are able to take advantage of what
Improved interoperability and functional-
ity of BIM software are the top two BIM More clearly defined BIM BIM has to offer. They also demonstrate
Contractors that BIM offers firms benefits across
improvements all users believe would deliverables between parties
improve their BIM value, both in 2009 Improved functionality of their business—not just process im-
and 2012. Engineers provements.
BIM software
More clearly defined BIM
Owners
deliverables between parties
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Construction, 2012, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

2. Benefits by Player BIM Benefits (2009–2012) WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT
■ Architects: 57% achieve high or 2012 2009
FACTORS THAT IMPROVE BIM’S
very high value from BIM by reducing RETURN ON INVESTMENT?
Reduced Document 52%
errors and omissions in their docu- Errors and Omissions 47% 62% of BIM users report achieving a
ments, and 45% find BIM reduces positive ROI in 2012, with contractors
51%
rework. Both benefits directly impact Marketing New Business leading the pack at 74%. The five factors
49%
and improve their work processes. that were selected by over 50% of the
The ability to market new business 49% survey respondents to improve BIM’s
Repeat Business
to new clients and offer new services 36% ROI are listed in the chart below left.
are also strong benefits for architects, 48% However, some factors carry particular
Reducing Rework
noted by 49% and 48% respectively. 45% weight with different players, selected by
■ Contractors: The top benefits for 46%
75% or more as contributing to ROI.
Offering New Services
contractors follow those of architects. 47% ■ Architects: The only factor selected
Reduced rework tops the list, reported Reduced Cycle Time 39% by three quarters or more is improved
by 65%. Reducing project duration of Workflows 31% personnel productivity.
is also noted by 53%, a factor that 37% ■ Contractors: While improved per-
Reduced Overall
directly impacts contractor profitability. Project Duration 27% sonnel productivity is also the top
With well over 50% reporting achiev- factor for contractors—selected by
36%
ing high value from these benefits, Increased Profits 85%, what is most striking about
21%
contractors are more enthusiastic contractors is the number of ways
about the value they achieve from Reduced Construction Cost 32% they extract value from BIM. Four
BIM compared to architects. 25%
other categories were considered im-
■ Engineers: Engineers see more 28% portant by more than three quarters:
Fewer Claims/Litigation
20% improved project process outcomes,
benefits in their ability to find new
business and keep current customers Staff Recruitment 23% increased fabrication, reduced cycle
than they do in their work processes. and Retention 21% time and lower project cost.
■ Owners: Reduced document errors 0% 20% 40% 60% ■ Engineers: Engineers still lag in
and omissions is by far the most extracting value from BIM, with no
widely reported benefit by owners, factors selected by three quarters of
Top Factors Contributing to BIM ROI the respondents. The strongest cat-
with 61% experiencing this compared
to 36% or fewer reporting value in all
Architects Contractors egory for them was better multi-party
other benefits. Improved Personnel 79% communication, but only 65% cite
Productivity 85% this factor, the smallest percentage in
that category for any player.
Improved Project 74%
Process Outcomes 81% ■ Owners: Like contractors, owners
see strong payoffs from working with
Better Multi-Party 74% BIM. All owner respondents find that
Communication 71%
better multi-party communication and
Reduced Cycle Time for 68% improved project process outcomes
Project Activities & Delivery 79% contribute to their BIM ROI. 83%
also report it lowers project cost.
62%
Lower Project Cost 78%
0% 40% 80%
The findings are drawn from a McGraw-Hill Construction survey of architects, engineers and contractors, including an examination
of BIM software adoption, benefits and impact on return on investment. The study will compare these results against data collected by
McGraw-Hill Construction on these same topics in 2009. The study scope expanded in 2012 and now includes new, groundbreaking
information on the use of specific BIM features and capabilities and how these contribute to the value of BIM. The sample was drawn from
McGraw-Hill Construction’s proprietary contacts from its Dodge BuildShare database and player lists as well as member firms of industry
associations spanning the construction industry. The full results of this research will appear in The Business Value of BIM in North America
SmartMarket Report, part of the continuing McGraw-Hill Construction SmartMarket Report series, to be published November 30, 2012
at http://construction.com/market_research.
The premier partner of the research is Autodesk, with corporate partner Parsons. Other contributing sponsors include Barton Malow, Clark
Construction, Hensel Phelps Construction Company, HOK, Mortenson Construction, NRI, Pinnacle Infotech and Satterfield & Pontikes
Construction, Inc. Research association partners include the American Institute of Architects, American Institute of Steel Construction,
American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Professional Estimators, American Subcontractors Association, Associated
General Contractors of America, buildingSMART alliance, Construction Management Association of America, Construction Owners
Association of America, Construction Specifications Institute, Construction Users Round Table, Design-Build Institute of America, Sheet
Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association and Society for Marketing Professional Services.
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Construction, 2012, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED