Author(s)

BASSAM AL-OTAIBI

Abstract

With the price of oil dwindling, Kuwait Oil Company has undertaken an endeavor to optimize cost and time savings. Therefore, Corporate Projects III of Ahmadi Projects Group, in its efforts to meet the new cost saving directives, has utilized Building Information Modeling (BIM) for its new upcoming projects. As is well known, most projects suffer from time and cost overrun due to inappropriate cost estimates and design changes during construction phase. For instance, there are escalating cost complications in one of the team’s projects due to clashes and design changes during the construction stage. The architecture, electrical, and construction industry has been undergoing a major transition from a 2D-paper-based linear process to a 3D collaborative digital approach with BIM. BIM is a result of an evolution of the virtual design and construction (VDC) technology. Hence, as pressure intensifies, the team needs to be more agile and innovative to avoid the predicament above. The BIM process shall be applied to the new “Ahmadi Services Building” project with 3D visualization and walkthroughs, key stakeholders assembled early in the process and working collaboratively and openly. Therefore, BIM can be easily defined as a way of working together; efficiently exchanging data among all project partners resulting in a complete digital description of a building project. However, there are risks associated in adopting new technologies that would present itself as a great challenge in crossing the chasm. The team must strive to make an inevitable paradigm shift. The team’s approach in using BIM is a worthwhile investment for the company. Cost savings reached almost 28%. This indicates great savings regardless of the size of the project.

Keywords

BIM, cost saving, project management