Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent sustainable Construction - I3con

HANDBOOK 2 SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION
Modelling Outcomes of Collaboration in Building Information
Modelling Through Gaming Theory Lenses
Oluwole Alfred Olatunji; Willy David Sher; Ning Gu
School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
(Oluwole.olatunji@newcastle.edu.au; T: (+61) 2 4921 6396, F: (+61) 2 4921 6913)
Abstract
Construction project performance is vulnerable to process
fragmentation and weak frameworks for sustaining objectivity and
value integration between stakeholders, including clients, involved in
the project development processes. For centuries, conventional
construction processes have endured the challenges associated with
this phenomenon. Several industry reports have suggested this
situation is responsive to effective communication, collaboration,
thorough integration and a passion for objectivity in data sharing and
information management between key players. While entity-based
computer-aided design (CAD) lacks the framework to facilitate an
effective result in this direction, Building Information Modelling (BIM)
has shown the potential for major improvements over the limitations
of manual and CAD design methods. Three Game Theory models
(Prisoner’s dilemma, Pareto Optima and Hawk-dove) have been
proposed to mirror certain implications of players’ actions in BIM
environment. In all the gaming lenses used, the study suggests that
stakeholders and industry will only benefit when BIM is fully adopted.
It has been established that when BIM is partially adopted, the
compliant party is likely to benefit more, while the non-compliant
party may not necessarily gain the same benefits. The study
concluded that BIM means a lot to the industry; the industry cannot
afford the consequences of failing to adopt BIM potentials and allied
innovations in an era where digital technology is revolutionising other
industries. Recommendations are made on areas for further
research.
Keywords: building information modelling (BIM), collaboration, game, hawk-dove, pareto optima,
prisoner’s dilemma
Introduction
The impacts of fragmented processes on whole-life performance of infrastructures in design,
construction and facilities management industries are no longer issues of inconclusive debate. A
wealth of evidence from well-known industry reports has shown how this limitation often leads to
project failures, clients’ dissatisfaction with professional service delivery, and variability in costs,
contract periods and quality of projects. Many authors have used the respected UK’s Egan (1998) and
Latham’s Report (1994), and the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA’s) Report (2000) for
benchmarking public concerns over the image of the construction industry regarding project
performance. Other studies (Acharya et al. 2006; Al-Momani 2000; Palaneeswaran et al. 2006; Ryd
2004) have further underpinned how significant the limitations of fragmented processes could imply
on the interests of construction clients and other stakeholders.
As a potential solution for this challenge, previous studies have suggested the adoption and
deployment of advanced tools of information technology (IT), which support objectivity, artificial
intelligence and integration of processes. Although the implementation of integrative models of IT
93