Legal and Contractual Risks and Challenges for BIM

• Published in: Journal of legal affairs and dispute resolution in engineering and construction Vol. 16; no. 1
• Main Authors: Mohammadi, Sahra, Aibinu, Ajibade A., Oraee, Mehran
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Reston American Society of Civil Engineers 01-02-2024
• Subjects: Building information modeling; Collaboration; Cooperation; Information management; Legal issues; Literature reviews
• ISSN: 1943-4162; 1943-4170
• DOI: 10.1061/JLADAH.LADR-1040

Building information modeling (BIM) is a digital process that represents a structured approach for integrating project stakeholders and information, managing the technical complexities of construction projects, and valuing improved collaboration among the key stakeholders. Due to the promising potential of BIM, its implementation began to be mandated in many countries. With the rise of BIM implementation and its regulations, the conventional organizational practices in the construction sector have been changed and new areas of concern are raised, which can be considered as BIM legal and contractual risks and challenges. Although resolving BIM legal issues can be a major lever to implement it in industry, research in this area has been scarce which may lead to probable legal claims. This research intends to fill this gap in the body of knowledge by conducting a systematic literature review to identify such risk factors which can lead to claims in BIM projects. The findings reveal an elaborate list of BIM challenges and risks, categorized against the key BIM risk categories including contract documentation, coordination and collaboration, public agencies, and technical resources. Moreover, the study contributes to the field by increasing the level of awareness of construction professionals about BIM risks and challenges.