Anatomy of interactions among risk factors influencing implementation of building information modeling (BIM): a system dynamics approach

Purpose: The overarching objective of this paper is to examine the cause–effect relationships among building and information modeling (BIM)-related risk factors and their impact on the implementation of BIM in construction projects. Design/methodology/approach: This paper draws on previous research to identify and categorize BIM-related risk factors. It then develops a system dynamics (SD) model to examine the cause–effect relationships among these factors leading to issues in BIM implementation. Findings: The proposed SD model illustrates how nine reinforcing feedback loops provide connections between four categories of risks, namely, technical, information, legal and organizational risks and, consequently, create vicious cycles that threaten the successful implementation of BIM. Originality/value: This paper is among a few studies that depart from reductionism by taking a holistic approach and demonstrating how the interactions between BIM-related risk factors lead to vicious cycles that threaten the successful implementation of BIM.