In the heart of Malaysia’s bustling construction industry, a significant shift is underway, driven by the ambitious targets set by the Public Works Department’s Strategic Plan 2021-2025. The goal? To integrate Building Information Modelling (BIM) into at least 80% of projects by 2025, a move that promises to revolutionize how quantity surveyors operate and could have profound implications for the energy sector.
At the forefront of this transformation is Ng Hock Seng, a lecturer at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. His recent study, published in the Diyala Journal of Engineering Sciences, translates to the Baghdad Journal of Engineering Sciences, sheds light on the current state of BIM adoption among quantity surveyors in the Klang Valley and offers a roadmap for the future.
BIM, for the uninitiated, is a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility. It serves as a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility, forming a reliable basis for decisions during its lifecycle, from inception onward. For quantity surveyors, this means more accurate cost estimates and better project outcomes.
However, the journey to full BIM adoption has been slow. Ng’s research, which surveyed 120 quantity surveyors, identified several challenges. The most significant? The absence of standardized documentation formats in conventional quantity surveying practices. “This lack of standardization makes it difficult to integrate BIM effectively,” Ng explains. “It’s like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.”
But the study also highlighted a crucial factor for successful BIM implementation: early comprehension and support from top management. “When management understands the benefits of BIM from the get-go, it trickles down to the rest of the team,” Ng notes. “It’s about creating a culture of innovation and continuous learning.”
So, what does this mean for the energy sector? As construction projects become more complex and energy-efficient designs gain traction, the need for accurate cost estimates and reliable project outcomes becomes even more critical. BIM can help energy companies manage these complexities, from initial design to operation and maintenance.
Ng’s research proposes a conceptual framework to guide BIM adoption in the Malaysian quantity surveying profession. This framework, backed by data from the survey and comparative analysis with other developing countries, could serve as a blueprint for other industries, including energy, looking to integrate BIM.
The study also underscores the importance of addressing the challenges head-on. Standardizing documentation formats, investing in training, and fostering a culture of innovation are not just nice-to-haves; they’re necessities for successful BIM implementation.
As Malaysia strides towards its 2025 target, the construction industry, and by extension, the energy sector, stand on the cusp of a digital revolution. The question is, who will lead the charge? With studies like Ng’s paving the way, the future of BIM in Malaysia looks promising indeed. The energy sector, with its complex projects and need for precision, could be one of the biggest beneficiaries. The time to act is now, and the blueprint is clear.