This conceptual model (Figure 1) identifies nine BIM player groups (industry stakeholders) distributed across three BIM Fields (technology, process and policy) as defined within the BIM Framework. The nine player groups are: policy makers, educational institutions, construction organisations, individual practitioners, technology developers, technology service providers, industry associations, communities of practice, and technology advocates.

Figure 1. Macro Diffusion Responsibilities v1.0 (full size, current version)

The nine player groups belong to either BIM Field or their overlaps. Pending further research, the tenth player group at the intersection of the three fields is intentionally excluded from this model. Table 1 below provides a succinct description of each player group followed by how this subdivision can be used in evaluating BIM diffusion within and across different markets.

Table 1. Macro Diffusion Responsibilities matrix (player groups with sample players – market scale)

Each of the nine player groups identified in Figure 1 includes a number of player types. For example, player group 3 (construction organisations) is composed of varied player types including: asset owners, architects, engineers and project managers. Also, player group 4 (individual practitioners) is composed of professionals, associated professionals and tradespeople. These distinctions between player groups, player types and unique players (e.g. a specific person, group, association, company or university) allow the targeted assessment and comparison of stakeholders’ involvement.

Below is a short video explaining the above, as available on the Framework's YouTube channel:

Please note that the above model and table are part of five macro adoption models collated within "Succar, B., & Kassem, M. (2015). Macro-BIM adoption: Conceptual structures. Automation in Construction, 57, 64-79". Download full paper from here: http://bit.ly/BIMPaperA8

The BIM Framework Conceptual Reactor v1.0 (full size, current version)

The BIM Framework Conceptual Reactor explains how existing conceptual constructs – terms, classifications, taxonomies, models and frameworks – are used to identify, explain and test new constructs.

The conceptual reactor thus allows the BIM framework to be continuously extended according to evolved research aims and objectives - represented as input 1 (or 'in1'). By integrating existing conceptual structures (in2) with new knowledge gained through literature reviews, and data collection (in3), the reactor can then generate new conceptual structures (output or ‘out’) after passing through an iterative, three-stage theory-building process. This process has been identified by J. Meredith (1993) (J. R. Meredith, Raturi, Amoako-Gyampah, & Kaplan, 1989) and includes three repetitive stages - description, explanation and testing:

• First, the Description Stage develops a description of reality; identifies phenomena; explores events; and documents findings and behaviours;
• Second, the Explanation Stage builds upon descriptions to infer a concept, a conceptual relationship or a construct; and then, develops a framework or a theory to explain and/or predict behaviours or events. In essence, the explaining stage develops a testable theoretical proposition which clarifies what has previously been described; and
• Third, the Testing Stage inspects explanations and propositions for validity; tests concepts or their relationships for accuracy; and tests predictions against new observables.

The Point of Adoption (PoA) model is a distillation of three implementation phases: readiness, capability, and maturity. As a term, PoA identifies the juncture(s) where organizational readiness transforms into organizational capability/maturity. It also identifies the juncture(s) where technological invention and a procedural innovation transforms into organizational - as well as market wide - diffusion:

Point of Adoption model v1.1 (full size, current version)

As explored in Figure 1 above, transformative BIM adoption starts at the Point of Adoption (PoA) when an organization, after a period of planning and preparation (readiness), successfully adopts object-based modelling tools and workflows. The PoA[1] thus marks the initial capability jump from no BIM abilities (pre-BIM status) to minimum BIM capability (Stage 1). As the adopter interacts with other adopters, a second capability jump (Stage 2) marks the organization’s ability to successfully engage in model-based collaboration. Also, as the organisation starts to engage with multiple stakeholders across the supply chain, a third capability jump (Stage 3) is necessary to benefit from integrated, network-based tools, processes and protocols (refer back to BIM Stages).

Each of these capability jumps is preceded with considerable investment in human and physical resources, and each stage signals new organizational abilities and deliverables not available before the jump. However, the deliverables of different organizations at the same stage may vary in quality, repeatability and predictability (refer to BIM Maturity Index). This variance in performance excellence occurs as organizations climb their respective BIM maturity curve, experience their internal BIM diffusion, and gradually improve their performance over time[2].

The multiple maturity curves depicted in Figure 1 reflect the heterogeneous nature of BIM adoption even within the same organization (e.g. sample Organization X) has a compiled rating of 1c, 2b and 3a). This is due to the phased nature of BIM with each revolutionary stage requiring its own readiness ramp, capability jump, maturity climb, and point of adoption. This is also due to varied abilities across organizational sub-units and project teams: while organizational unit A1 (within Organization A) may have elevated model-based collaboration capabilities, unit A2 may have basic modelling capabilities, and unit A3 may still be preparing to implement BIM software tools. This variance in ability necessitates a compiled rating for organization A as it simultaneously prepares for an innovative solution, implements a system/process, and continually improves its performance.

Update (May, 2016): below is a short video explaining the above on the Framework's YouTube channel:

This conceptual model (Figure 1) clarifies how BIM Field types (technology, process and policy) interact with BIM Capability Stages (modelling, collaboration and integration) to generate nine areas for targeted BIM diffusion analysis and BIM diffusion planning:

Figure 1. Diffusion Areas model v1.0 (full size, current version)

The nine diffusion areas, explored in the below table, can be assessed independently or collectively. For example, the diffusion of BIM software tools within a population (modelling technologies [1TE]) can be assessed separately, and using different assessment methods, than establishing the proliferation of integrated project delivery contracts (integration policies [3PO]). Also, the diffusion of multidisciplinary BIM educational curricula (collaboration policies [2PO]) can be assessed separately, or in combination with, the proliferation of collaborative BIM roles and responsibilities (collaboration processes [2PR]).

Table 1. Diffusion Areas matrix (with sample granular metrics within each diffusion area)

The nine diffusion areas, their structured subdivisions and combinations, provide an opportunity for granular assessments of BIM diffusion within a population of adopters. Rather than being treated uniformly as a single set of data, or separated into disparate topics without an underlying conceptual structure, the Diffusion Areas’ model (Figure 1) allows the generation of targeted ratings for comparative market analysis - as exemplified in Figure 2:

Figure 2. Diffusion Areas Comparison sample chart v1.1 - updated April 24, 2016  (full size, current version)

Below is a short video explaining the above, as available on the Framework's YouTube channel:

Please note that the above model, table and chart are part of five macro adoption models collated within "Succar, B., & Kassem, M. (2015). Macro-BIM adoption: Conceptual structures. Automation in Construction, 57, 64-79". Download full paper from here: http://bit.ly/BIMPaperA8

Macro Maturity Components  - v1.2 full size (500Kb),  older version 1.1 (277Kb)

Also Available in Italian

The Macro Maturity Components model (upadated Nov 17, 2014) identifies eight complementary components for measuring and establishing the relative and absolute BIM maturity of Macro Organizational Scales (Market, Defined Market and Sub-Market). The eight components are:

1. Objectives, stages and milestones
2. Champions and drivers
3. Regulatory framework
4. Noteworthy publications
5. Learning and education
6. Measurements and benchmarks
7. Standardised parts and deliverables
8. Technology infrastructure

The components are measured individually and collectively using the BIM Maturity Index (BIMMI) which includes 5 levels: (a) initial/ad-hoc, (b) defined, (c) managed, (d) integrated, and (e) optimised.

Note: the Macro Maturity Components model is discussed in BIM ThinkSpace Episode 22 (published Jan 27, 2015).