A new study published by Dodge Data & Analytics, in partnership with Autodesk, has concluded that stronger BIM use on architectural projects results in higher client satisfaction. The findings, set out in the free Accelerating Digital Transformation Through BIM SmartMarket Report, offers an overview of how architects, engineers, and contractors use BIM and its associated workflows.

The report’s central finding is a “correlation between the depth of engagement with data-driven BIM processes, the intensity of BIM, and the degree to which the benefits of using BIM are experienced.” In other words, the report suggests that the higher the use of BIM on a project, and the more a project team exploits BIM’s various processes and workflows, the higher the reward.  

According to the report, these benefits include improved client satisfaction and design quality, a risk reduction through reduced errors, and enhanced environmental and operational performance. Contractors who exploit BIM processes also experience improved win rates, a reduction in constructability issues on-site, reduced defects on handover, and higher cost control, compared to projects which do not use BIM.

”The findings of this report are consistent with what we hear directly from our customers: the greater the embrace of BIM, the greater returns they see,” said Amy Bunszel, executive vice president at Autodesk, one of the most prevalent producers of BIM software. “BIM is the foundation of the digital transformation of the industry, from design through operations."

The report also offers an insight into the most popular digital tools within architecture practices. The top technologies in use currently among BIM users are cloud computing (42%), model-based simulation (33%), virtual/augmented/mixed reality (28%), 3D printing (25%), and reality capture (25%).

Looking to the future, the most popular technologies which firms say they will incorporate in the coming two to three years are generative/outcome-based design (20%), 3D printing (19%), model-driven prefabrication (18%), model-driven simulation (18%), robotics/automated equipment (18%), reality capture (17%), and AI/machine learning (17%).

The report by Dodge comes a day after the organization released a separate report detailing how construction starts are rising across the United States despite pandemic disruptions. Autodesk, meanwhile, has recently announced new features for its Construction Cloud, including a new scheduling tool and Microsoft Teams integration.