BRIDGING THE GAP: ADVANCING BIM ADOPTION IN THE JORDANIAN CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

Ibrahim Moh’d  Saraireh

doi:10.30572/2018/KJE/170321

Authors

Ibrahim Moh’d Saraireh Assistant Prof., Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Civil and Infrastructure Engineering Department, Amman, Jordan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30572/2018/KJE/170321

Keywords:

Building Information Modeling (BIM), construction sector, digital transformation, contractual issues, sustainable construction

Abstract

The Jordanian construction sector faces persistent fragmentation, delays, and inefficiencies despite its vital role in national development. Building Information Modeling (BIM), widely recognized as a solution to such challenges, remains underutilized in Jordan. This study aims to investigate the current state of BIM adoption, identifies key barriers and drivers, and assesses potential benefits to propose a localized framework for digital transformation. The methodology involved a quantitative survey of 443 professionals was analyzed using Relative Importance Index (RII) and descriptive statistics, with high reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.937). Results revealed major barriers: lack of BIM awareness (RII = 0.745), limited training centers (RII = 0.729), and insufficient government support (RII = 0.706). Key benefits included improved 3D visualization (RII = 0.854), successful project execution (RII = 0.845) and improved decision making (RII = 0.831). The study recommends government BIM mandates, training centers, and curriculum integration to advance sustainable adoption and enhance project performance

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abbas EF & Al-Zwainy FM 2024, 'Automat bill of quantities for school buildings projects using BIM', Tikrit Journal of Engineering Sciences, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 125-142.

Abdelalim AM, Shawky K, Alnaser AA, Shibeika A & Sherif A 2024, 'Developing standard BIM execution plans for complex construction projects', Applied Sciences, vol. 14, p. 6614.

Abuarkub M & Al-Zwainy FM 2018, 'Architectural and historical development in Palestine', International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, vol. 9, no. 9, pp. 1217-1233.

Abu-Reishah L & Hiyassat MA 2023, 'The severity of design-construction interface risks in Jordanian construction industry', International Journal of Construction Management, vol. 23, pp. 1540-1548.

Aburumman MO, Sweis R & Sweis GJ 2024, 'Investigating building information modelling (BIM) and lean construction: the potential BIM-lean interactions synergy and integration in the Jordanian construction industry', International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 15, pp. 400-438.

Adeniyi O, Thurairajah N & Leo-Olagbaye F 2024, 'Rethinking digital construction: A study of BIM uptake capability in BIM infant construction industries', Construction Innovation, vol. 24, pp. 584-605.

Ahmed I, Asif M, Alhelou HH & Khalid M 2024, 'A review on enhancing energy efficiency and adaptability through system integration for smart buildings', Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 89, p. 109354.

Ahmed MF 2025, 'High volume brick powder concrete synergistic with metakaolin: Physicomechanical properties and drying shrinkage', Kufa Journal of Engineering, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 214-232.

Alazawy SFM, Aldhamad SHR, Salih BMM & Al-Zwainy FMS 2024, 'An efficient novel model for multi-story building construction quantity estimation using coupled MATLAB-Revit software', Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 17717-17724.

Aldhamad SHR, Zaki RI, Al-Zwainy FM, Varouqa IF & Obaid AH 2025, 'Significant applications of digital modeling in the construction sector for improving project management and performance', Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 2432-2438.

Alhorani R, Bazlamit S, Elhaija WA & Rabayah H 2024, 'Integrating Industry 4.0 concepts in civil engineering education', Journal of Engineering, Project & Production Management, vol. 14, no. 3, p. 24.

Aljumaily H, Al-Zwainy F, Alharishawi S, Ali R & Hayder G 2022, 'Adopting building information modeling in claims management in construction industry', Journal of Applied Engineering Science, vol. 20, no. 4, pp. 1152-1164.

Al-Marsomi MSK & Al-Zwainy FMS 2023, 'Assessing obstacles in construction-phases for regional development programs (RDPs)', Asian Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 24, no. 8, pp. 3425-3436.

Almayyahi SJK, Ameen RFM & Al-Busaltan S 2025, 'Building information modelling (BIM) as an efficient solution to Middle Eastern construction project delays', Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 15, pp. 19484-19491.

Al-Mohammad MS, Haron AT, Maya R & Rahman RA 2024, 'Optimal government strategies for BIM implementation in low-income economies: A case study in Syria', Journal of Architectural Engineering, vol. 30, p. 05024005.

Alnaser AA, Hassan Ali A, Elmousalami HH & Gouda Mohamed A 2024, 'Assessment framework for BIM-digital twin readiness in the construction industry', Buildings, vol. 14, p. 268.

Al-Raqeb H, Ghaffar SH, Haitherali H & Gopakumar A 2024, 'Overcoming barriers to implementing building information modelling in Kuwait's Ministry of Public Works: A framework for sustainable construction', Buildings, vol. 14, p. 130.

Alshehhi HSMA, Sidik R, Sidek M & Rozali EA 2024, 'The impact of risk management on the performance of construction projects', Educational Administration: Theory and Practice, vol. 30, pp. 5994-6003.

Alwashah Z, Sweis GJ, Abu Hajar H, Abu-Khader W & Sweis RJ 2024, 'Challenges to adopt digital construction technologies in the Jordanian construction industry', Construction Innovation, published online ahead of print, pp. 1-46, available: https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-03-2023-0056.

Al-Zwainy F & Al-Marsomi M 2023, 'Structural equation modeling of critical success factors in the programs of development regional', Journal of Project Management, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 119-132.

Al-Zwainy FM 2018, 'Performance assessment of BIM managers using multi-source feedback method - A pilot study', ARPN Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, vol. 13, no. 22, pp. 8880-8888.

Al-Zwainy FM, Ibrahim AM, Kamal AK & Salah KZ 2017, BIM in project management, AL-THAKERA, Baghdad.

Al-Zwainy FM, Mohammed IA & Al-Shaikhli KA 2017, 'Diagnostic and assessment benefits and barriers of BIM in construction project management', Civil Engineering Journal, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 63-77.

Al-Zwainy FMS, Mohammed IA & Raheem SH 2016, 'Investigation and assessment of the project management methodology in Iraqi construction sector', International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 2494-2507.

Asaad, S. and Suleiman, A. (2025) 'A comparative examination of the opportunities and challenges associated with implementing bim in affluent and impoverished countries', Journal of Structural Design and Construction Practice, 30(2), 04024118.

Azzam OM, Saleh AM & Eleshmawy N 2025, 'Delay analysis in construction contracts: Assessing claims and legal implications', Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction, vol. 17, p. 04524032.

Bilov V, Goi V, Mamonov K, Tregub O & Levchenko O 2023, 'Advantages of building information modeling (BIM) during the operational life', Amazonia Investiga, vol. 12, pp. 346-363.

Boniface NA, Nnadi E & Eze VHU 2024, 'Evaluating public procurement's challenges in Nigeria's construction industry', International Journal of Recent Technology and Applied Science (IJORTAS), vol. 6, pp. 25-36.

Cheng Q, Tayeh BA, Abu Aisheh YI, Alaloul WS & Aldahdooh ZA 2024, 'Leveraging BIM for sustainable construction: Benefits, barriers, and best practices', Sustainability, vol. 16, p. 7654.

Chowdhury M, Hosseini MR, Edwards DJ, Martek I & Shuchi S 2024, 'Comprehensive analysis of BIM adoption: From narrow focus to holistic understanding', Automation in Construction, vol. 160, p. 105301.

Diaz Schery CA, Caiado RGG, Aguilar Vargas S & Rodriguez Vignon Y 2025, 'Paths to BIM-based digital transformation: A bibliometric and systematic review of critical factors', Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 32, no. 7, pp. 4357-4383.

El Hajj C, Martínez Montes G & Jawad D 2023, 'An overview of BIM adoption barriers in the Middle East and North Africa developing countries', Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 30, pp. 889-913.

Ghaleb AA & Ahmed MN 2025, 'Root cause analysis of the most frequently occurring problems in the Iraqi building industry through fishbone diagram', Kufa Journal of Engineering, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 314-327.

Godager B, Onstein E & Huang L 2021, 'The concept of enterprise BIM: Current research practice and future trends', IEEE Access, vol. 9, pp. 42265-42290.

Gómez-Cabrera A, Gutierrez-Bucheli L & Muñoz S 2024, 'Causes of time and cost overruns in construction projects: A scoping review', International Journal of Construction Management, vol. 24, pp. 1107-1125.

Hatami N & Rashidi A 2025, 'Enhancing the adoption of building information modeling in the Iranian AEC sector: Insights from a Delphi study', Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 32, pp. 847-869.

Hossain I, Sakib Khan M, Khan IK, Hossain KR, He Y & Wang X 2024, 'Technology of additive manufacturing: A comprehensive review', Kufa Journal of Engineering, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 108-146.

https://uobrep.openrepository.com/handle/10547/626285.

Ishola AO, Odunaiya OG & Soyombo OT 2024, 'Stakeholder communication framework for successful implementation of community-based renewable energy projects', International Journal of Frontiers in Engineering and Technology Research, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 25-43.

Jasim NA, Aljumaily HS, Varouqa IF & Al-Zwainy FM 2021, 'Building information modeling and building knowledge modeling in project management', Computer Assisted Methods in Engineering and Science, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 3-16.

Khan AA, Bello AO, Arqam M & Ullah F 2024, 'Integrating building information modelling and artificial intelligence in construction projects: A review of challenges and mitigation strategies', Technologies, vol. 12, p. 185.

Kordestani Ghalenoei N, Babaeian Jelodar M, Paes D & Sutrisna M 2024, 'Challenges of offsite construction and BIM implementation: Providing a framework for integration in New Zealand', Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 13, pp. 780-808.

Kumar M & Kumari S 2025, 'Causes of delays in road construction projects: A systematic review', Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 256-294.

Liu Z, Lu Y, Shen M & Peh LC 2021, 'Transition from building information modeling (BIM) to integrated digital delivery (IDD) in sustainable building management: A knowledge discovery approach-based review', Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 291, p. 125223.

Matarneh R & Hamed S 2017, 'Barriers to the adoption of building information modeling in the Jordanian building industry', Open Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 7, pp. 325-335.

Nikolic D, Castronovo F & Leicht R 2021, 'Teaching BIM as a collaborative information management process through a continuous improvement assessment lens: A case study', Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 28, pp. 2248-2269.

Obi L, Awuzie B, Obi C, Omotayo TS, Oke A & Osobajo O 2021, 'BIM for deconstruction: An interpretive structural model of factors influencing implementation', Buildings, vol. 11, p. 227.

Oloto EN & Adebayo AK 2023, 'Development of an inclusive sustainable adoption support framework (ASF) for optimizing prefabrication adoption in Nigeria's housing development industry', Kufa Journal of Engineering, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 79-92.

Oloto EN & Iweka ACO 2022, 'Private developers' perceived usefulness of the prefabrication technology in Nigeria's housing development industry', Kufa Journal of Engineering, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 25-38.

Oluwole AP 2022, 'An analysis of building information modeling (BIM) usage in Nigerian construction industry', International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET), vol. 9, no. 7, pp. 2410-2419.

Ottaviani FM, Zenezini G, Saba F, De Marco A & Gavinelli L 2025, 'System-level critical success factors for BIM implementation in construction management: An AHP approach', Systems, vol. 13, p. 94.

Priya GL, Rajeshkumar S, Gomathi AS & Sindhu R 2022, 'A comprehensive survey of data collection methods and tools for research novices', AIP Conference Proceedings, vol. 2444, no. 1, p. 040003.

Radzi AR, Azmi NF, Kamaruzzaman SN, Algahtany M & Rahman RA 2025, 'Challenges in construction readiness for BIM-based building projects', Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, vol. 24, pp. 1689-1704.

Rashidi A, Chan DW, Ravanshadnia M, Sarvari H & Tajaddini A 2024, 'Applying building information modelling (BIM) technology in pre-tender cost estimation of construction projects: A case study in Iran', Buildings, vol. 14, p. 1260.

Rinchen S, Banihashemi S & Alkilani S 2024, 'Driving digital transformation in construction: Strategic insights into building information modelling adoption in developing countries', Project Leadership and Society, vol. 5, p. 100138.

Risan HK, Al-Azzawi AA & Al-Zwainy FM 2024a, Statistical analysis for civil engineers: Mathematical theory and applied experiment design, Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Risan HK, Serhan FM & Al-Azzawi AA 2024b, 'Management of a typical experiment in engineering and science', AIP Conference Proceedings, vol. 2864, no. 1, p. 050001.

Saleh F, Elhendawi A, Darwish AS & Farrell P 2024, 'A framework for leveraging the incorporation of AI, BIM, and IoT to achieve smart sustainable cities', Journal of Intelligent Systems and Internet of Things, vol. 11, pp. 75-84.

Takyi-Annan GE & Zhang H 2023, 'A multivariate analysis of the variables impacting the level of BIM expertise of professionals in the AEC industries of the developing world using nonparametric tests', Buildings, vol. 13, p. 1606.

Tanko BL, Zakka WP & Heng WN 2024, 'BIM in the Malaysian construction industry: A scientometric review and case study', Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 31, pp. 1165-1186.

Tran HVV & Nguyen TA 2024, 'A review of challenges and opportunities in BIM adoption for construction project management', Engineering Journal, vol. 28, pp. 79-98.

Wang J, Zhang S, Fenn P, Luo X, Liu Y & Zhao L 2023, 'Adopting BIM to facilitate dispute management in the construction industry: A conceptual framework development', Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, vol. 149, p. 03122010.

Wang K, Guo F, Zhou R & Qian L 2024, 'Implementation of augmented reality in BIM-enabled construction projects: A bibliometric literature review and a case study from China', Construction Innovation, vol. 24, pp. 1085-1116.

Xia H, Liu Z, Efremochkina M, Liu X & Lin C 2022, 'Study on city digital twin technologies for sustainable smart city design: A review and bibliometric analysis of geographic information system and building information modeling integration', Sustainable Cities and Society, vol. 84, p. 104009.

Yavuz F, Çelik Ö & Yavaş Çelik G 2025, 'Utilizing large language models for EFL essay grading: An examination of reliability and validity in rubric-based assessments', British Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 56, pp. 150-166.

Yilmaz S, Kumar D, Hada S, Demirkesen S, Zhang C & Li H 2024, 'A PMBOK-based construction cost management framework for BIM integration in construction projects', International Journal of Construction Management, advance online publication, pp. 1-15.

Zhou D, Pei B, Li X, Jiang D & Wen L 2024, 'Innovative BIM technology application in the construction management of highway', Scientific Reports, vol. 14, p. 15298.

Zurub WW 2024, Impact of the global financial crisis on Jordan, Master's thesis, University of Business & Economics, Amman, May. Available at.