Digital and Data-Driven Innovation is transforming how built environment assets are designed, delivered, operated, and managed towards better outcomes for end-users.
Digitalisation of built assets such as BIM, internet of things (IoT) and various data-driven processes is a significant global challenge set to transform the built environment capital delivery and operations. However, there are enormous challenges right now in creating capacity and capability in this area. The problems include high-quality research and innovation is not reaching the market; current misalignment between market needs and research agenda; appropriate digital skills are scarce in the industry to build capacity; and digital innovation development cycle and implementation by organisations take too long. At the same time, typical capital delivery projects encounter the following issues and challenges: over-specification, cost overruns, late completion, changes of design during construction, low productivity and wastage and projects not exceeding client objectives by adding more value. Built assets also face various operational cost challenges: the dispersed nature of asset information management systems; isolation of information between sources, with limited or no opportunity to integrate information, a prevalence of ‘analog’ data based on plans/drawings and documentation, with little analytical opportunity. It is rare to find examples where asset information and datasets are integrated and processed in real-time to drive better outcomes for asset users and to optimize asset performance towards cost savings and better end-user experience.
This ongoing project uses the design science research approach to identify, create, and test new digital solutions as well as implementation strategies across design, delivery, and operations of built assets from benefit realisation and change management perspective. The project integrates original research and industry collaboration focusing on process, people, and technology aspects. The project is grounded in knowledge and information management concept, theories of innovation, and theories in human-computer interaction.
Two elements of the research currently in progress includes (1) A longitudinal study of how organisations are making transition to digital realm (2) Exploration, identification and testing of asset delivery, operations and asset management solutions via pilot projects, student competitions and case studies.
By providing greater understanding into how organisations can smoothen and accelerate transition into digital realm and by developing and testing digital strategy frameworks and new data-driven solutions, the outcomes of this project will benefit the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector in Australia and beyond via greater efficiency, increased productivity, delivery of better outcomes for end-users by leveraging access to new knowledge and new digital innovations. The student competition element opens new learning opportunity for students thereby contributing to digital learning and digital capacity. The project is expected to generate research commercialisation opportunities.
Outputs:
Publications
Hosseini, M.R., Farzad, Aibinu, A.A., & Abrishami, S. (2021). BIM Teaching and Learning Handbook: Implementation for Students and Educators (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780367855192
Aibinu, A. A., Evelyn, T. A., Rojas-Quintero, J. S., Hosseini, M. R., Dey, C., Taban, R. & Ahmad, T. (2021). Using gamification and competitions to enhance BIM learning experience. BIM Teaching and Learning Handbook (pp. 305-324). Routledge. doi:10.1201/9780367855192-24.
Aibinu, A. A. & Papadonikolaki, E. (2019). Conceptualizing and operationalizing team task interdependences: BIM implementation assessment using effort distribution analytics. Construction Management and Economics, 38(5), pp. 420-446. doi:10.1080/01446193.2019.1623409
Aibinu, A.A. and Papadonikolaki, E. (2017) The Influence of Leadership, Resources, and Organisational Structure on BIM Adoption. In: Chan, P.W. and Neilson, C.J. (Eds) Proceedings of the 33rd Annual ARCOM Conference: ARCOM 2017, Cambridge, UK, 4-6 September 2017, pp. 12-22.
Aibinu, A.A., Koutamanis, A., de Jong, P, and Wamelink, H. and (2017) Using Building Information Modeling Enabled Procurement to Deliver Housing Projects Faster, Cheaper and Better. In Odeyinka, H.A, Aluko, B.T, Amole, O, Olojede, O (eds.), Meeting Nigeria Housing Needs: A Book of Readings in Honour of Emeritus Professor Kunle Ade Wahab; Ibadan: University Press PLC. Page 195 -222. (ISBN 978 978 940 224 3)
Ahmad, T., Aibinu, A.A., and Thaheem, M.J. (2017) BIM-based Iterative Tool for Sustainable Building Design: A Conceptual Framework, Procedia Engineering, Volume 180, pp. 782-792. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.04.239.
Aibinu, A.A. and Papadonikolaki, E. (2016) BIM Implementation and Project Coordination in Design-Build Procurement. Proceedings of the 32nd Annual ARCOM Conference: ARCOM 2016. ARCOM, Association of Researchers in Construction Management, Vol. 1, p. 15-24.
Aibinu A.A and Papadonikolaki, E. (2016) Comparative case study of coordination mechanisms in Design and Build BIM-based projects in the Netherlands. In: Proc. of the 11th European Conference on Product & Process Modeling, Limassol, Cyprus. Pages 435 -446.
Aibinu, A.A. and Venkatesh, S. (2014) The status of BIM adoption and the BIM experience of cost consultants in Australia, Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice. Vol. 140 (3), pp. 04013021-1-10.
Aibinu, A.A. and Chan, T.K. (2013) An integrated decision support system for estimating and planning building costs in a world of BIM. Proceeding of COBRA 2013 (Construction and building research conference of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) in New Delhi September 10-12, 2013.
Aibinu, A.A. and Venkatesh, S. (2012) The Rocky Road to Building Information Modeling (BIM) Adoption: quantity surveyors’ perspectives. In Proceedings CIB MCrp, Management of Construction: Research to Practice. Montreal, 26 – 29 June 2012”. Pages 539 -554.
Journal Editing
Aibinu, A.A, Koch, F. and Ng, S. (2019) Special Issue 'Data analytics and big data in construction project and asset management’, Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 9(4). doi:10.1108/BEPAM-09-2019-139. [Guest Editorial].
Public Seminar
On Friday 7th August 2020 a public webinar was held entitled ‘Internet of Things Innovation in the construction Industry: Moving from Theory to Practice’
Internet of Things Competition
From December 2020 to March 2021, a IoT in Built Environments Case Competition was organized, and the final pitch presentation and award event was held on 12th March 2021 (refer video below for the team pitches)
Project Contact:
Dr Ajibade A. Aibinu (Lead Chief Investigator), Associate Professor in Cost management and Construction Economics
Dr Paulo Vaz-Serra, Senior Lecturer in Construction Management, (Construction)
Dr Mehran Oraee, Lecturer in Building Information Modelling (BIM)
Dr Vidal Paton-Cole, Lecturer in Construction Management
Femi Adio, PhD Student
Babar Ali, PhD Student
Project Partners:
Associate Professor Eleni Papadonikolaki, External Collaborator, University College London
Mr Gavin Cotterill, External Collaborator, PCSG Melbourne
Mr Andrew O’Grady, External Collaborator, BIM Zone Melbourne
Mr Andrew Van Meel, External Collaborator, WT Melbourne
Project Supporters:
WT Australia
Perunding Kos T & K Sdn Bhd (PKT)