January 18, 2021

Key BIM Insights & Trends for the Global AEC Industry

Snaptrude Editorial Desk

What's in this post?

What’s in this Blog?

  1. The decade that was for BIM
  2. How governments worldwide are promoting use of BIM
  3. Will the next decade be the decade of BIM?

In the last decade, the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry has seen tremendous transformation. From reliance on 2D drawings to razor sharp focus on 3D digital models. From the norm of using legacy tools to willingness to explore cloud-based and Artificial Intelligence platforms. From pen and paper presentations to Augmented and Virtual Reality walkthroughs. And, from a predominantly graphic-first CAD approach to an information-first BIM approach.

Of these, BIM can be considered to be one of the largest catalysts of transformation in technology and processes in the AEC industry, heavily adopted by users of all kinds.

In this blog, we look at reports and insights published by leading information providers on how BIM has revolutionised the industry and will continue to change it for good, going forward.

The decade that was for BIM

Key market insights for BIM awareness and adoption.
Key market insights for BIM awareness and adoption. Information Source: NBS 10th Annual BIM Report 2020

In the 10th Annual BIM Report published by NBS, Richard Waterhouse Chief Strategy Officer, NBS writes, “The industry has made great strides over the last ten years. We have gone from limited to almost universal awareness and use of BIM by 73% of professionals in 2020.

It has required substantial change to workflows but has brought benefits: improved coordination of information, reduced risk, improved productivity, greater efficiency, and operation and maintenance savings. These improvements are helping to create a more efficient, transparent industry that makes fewer mistakes.”

A year-wise look at the BIM awareness and adoption journey
A year-wise look at the BIM awareness and adoption journey. Information Source: NBS 10th Annual BIM Report 2020


Regardless of the size of the project or firm, it’s no secret that BIM has overhauled the way in which this industry operates. It has enabled architects, designers, project managers, construction teams, and engineers to work in a single-data environment throughout the project lifecycle, while building information in their known graphical formats.

How governments worldwide are promoting use of BIM

Globally, the adoption of BIM has increased over the last few years as we sit on the brink of a massive digital reformation in the industry. Here are a few examples of how governments are encouraging the use of BIM in architecture and construction.

Percentage of BIM using architects in Europe
Image Credit: European Architectural Barometer Q4 2019 – USP Marketing Consultancy

Netherlands: ~80% of architects in the Netherlands are known to use BIM for both residential and non-residential projects, showcasing one of the highest adoption rates worldwide.

UK: After the Netherlands, the UK is recognised as one of the leading nations in the world promoting the adoption of BIM in the AEC industry. In April 2016, the UK government made it a mandate for all publicly funded construction to be undertaken by using ‘BIM Level 2’ by the year 2016. This propelled the BIM adoption rate in the country. And, in 2020, the government is looking at moving to the next level of BIM adoption.

Italy: The Italian Ministry of Infrastructure has introduced an initial plan for making BIM mandatory from 2019, which would apply to projects above 100 million. Following this initial plan, the country is likely to see a full implementation by 2022.

Did You Know? The formation of the EU BIM task group to have an aligned European approach for digital construction has been a good indicator of BIM adoption in Europe. On 7th July, 2017, the task group published “Handbook for the introduction of BIM by Europe’s Public Sector Community”.

Ranking of BIM adoption in Europe

Ranking of BIM adoption in Europe (Comparison 2013 vs. 2017) Image Credit: European Architectural Barometer via Dirk Hoogenboom – – USP Marketing Consultancy

USA: It was the first country to adopt BIM in the 1990s and as per reports, 71 % of architects, engineers, building contractors and building owners used BIM as early as 2012. The United States is expected to achieve an annual growth rate of 21.6 % from 2016 to 2022 in the adoption of BIM Modeling Services as per the reports of Alliance Market Research.

India: According to the report in 2019 by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, at least 355 projects saw a cost overrun of Rs 3.88 lakh crore and about 552 projects faced time escalation. NITI Aayog (a government think tank) officials said BIM could save up to 20% of the project cost by shortening the construction time. The government think tank wants all the infrastructure ministries to consider the model.

Nagpur Metro has also been the first project in India to adopt the 5D BIM technology & one of the very few in the world to have integrated 3D, 4D and 5D by the way of integrating ERP with BIM and other world class software for project management.

Singapore: In 2010, BCA drafted a BIM Roadmap with the aspiring objective that at least 80% of the construction industry uses BIM by 2015.  In 2014, the Singaporean government mandated BIM submissions for building projects of more than 5,000 square feet.

Leading Countries with BIM adoption
Leading Countries with BIM adoption Image Credit: United BIM

Will the next decade be the decade of BIM?

A Research and Markets study found that the international building information modeling (BIM) market will reach $11.7 billion by 2022, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.6% between 2016 and 2022. The Asia-Pacific region will experience the most growth in demand due to its rising construction activity and the push of BIM mandates.

Growth forecast of BIM market
Growth forecast of BIM market. Image Credit: marketsandmarkets.com

With the global focus on developing green, sustainable buildings, BIM is also expected to be valuable as it can process large amounts of environmental data. Firms are also expected to explore the entire realm of BIM, 4D, 5D and 6D BIM to amplify their return on investment.

Being prepared for the future:

As per a report by Markets and Markets, “Software is likely to account for a larger share of the building information modeling market by 2025.”

Embracing BIM will enable architectural and construction firms to be future-ready. Also, the needs of an architectural firm can change over time. With the help of BIM technology services, a company can adjust its data needs to as little or as much as required, and stay up-to-date. It will be exciting to see how with the help of technology providers, BIM could take us to the next level in the AEC industry.

Information Courtesy: NBS, Economic Times, nbmcw.com, geospatialworld.net, Academy.archistar.ai, marketsndmarkets.com, researchandmarkets.com, biblus.accasoftware.com and Alliance Market Research

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