In a world where Building Information Modeling (BIM) adoption is advancing rapidly across both developed and developing nations due to its potential to address key challenges in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, BIM adoption in Nepal remains in its early stages. This study aimed to assess the current status of BIM in Nepal’s AEC sector, identify key barriers hindering its adoption, and propose strategies for broader implementation. Additionally, it explored potential opportunities where BIM could offer the greatest impact. A survey was conducted among AEC professionals using a snowball sampling method, and the responses were analyzed through descriptive statistics and the Relative Importance Index (RII) for ranking key barriers and identifying promising opportunities. The survey revealed that while many professionals are aware of BIM, among the aware 72% exhibited a low level of understanding, 21% had a moderate level, and only 7% demonstrated a high level of understanding. Only 25% of the respondents reported actively using BIM, with architecture firms and government organizations leading the adoption efforts. In contrast, construction companies and engineering consultancies lagged behind, highlighting significant disparities in BIM knowledge across different types of organizations. Key barriers to adoption were identified, including lack of understanding of BIM, insufficient government support, lack of client demand, high costs of software and training, and resistance to change. Based on these findings, it recommends integrating BIM into university curricula, offering targeted training programs, mandating BIM in public projects, and providing financial incentives such as subsidies and tax breaks. Efforts by professional organizations and software vendors to raise awareness and reduce costs are also essential. Additionally, the study identified large commercial and infrastructure projects as prime areas where BIM could deliver significant benefits due to their complexity and alignment with BIM’s capabilities, while sustainable buildings and urban planning were seen as less immediate opportunities due to higher BIM maturity requirements. This research provides an overview of BIM’s status in the Nepalese AEC industry, highlighting the major barriers for adoption. By identifying the key factors affecting vi BIM implementation, the study offers strategies to enhance adoption and improve BIM practices in Nepal. These findings contribute to both theory and practice, paving the way for more effective implementation of BIM in the Nepalese construction sector.

Keywords

Building Information Modeling, Barriers, Adoption, Relative Importance Index, Level of Understanding, Strategies.

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