The UK acknowledged the challenges it faced in construction, including low productivity, late delivery of projects, and lack of value for public money. This was the starting point of the UK’s current approach, which recognises the public client as the sole body that can lead a single approach with the industry.
Why should government care about BIM? Because the way the industry performs is by responding to the question asked by government as a client. If a different answer is desired, the question must be changed. Government is uniquely placed to drive transformational change as the industry’s largest client. It has the critical mass and scale to provide support, direction and long-term demand. This level of public ownership and leadership can provide the essential catalyst for industry transformation.
Governments can consult with industry to set out clear goals and a strategy for the introduction of BIM. The UK programme described its goals, strategy and leadership in its 2011 Government Construction Strategy (and 2016-2020). It presented the business case, government leadership and an implementation plan that identified goals and gave industry resource and time to change and meet targets.