Evaluation on benefits and problems of conventional and BIM based documentation through comparison method

Documentation is an important part in the process of construction. Currently, the conventional documentation method such as Computer Aided Design (CAD) is more commonly used in construction project. New modern approaches like Building Information Modelling- based (BIM-based) help in improvising the quality of construction documentation. There are main gaps between conventional-based documentation process (CAD) and BIM-based documentation process including fragmented nature of the software, lack of collaboration and integration between involved parties, considerable amount of missing data and also lack of capability of applicable visualization. This study, therefore, aim to evaluate the benefits of BIM based documentation with the attention to highlight the problems from CAD conventional–based documentation. The objectives used to achieve the aim are by identify the problems of the Conventional–based documentation using CAD, investigate the benefits, compare the differences and evaluate the benefits and problems of the documentation process of between BIM-based and conventional CAD methods. The study is carried out based on questionnaire survey within construction companies in Singapore. The data is analyzed using statistical analysis of average index.The differences between BIM-based documentation and conventional CAD documentation are BIM approach able to create smart 3D model, create 4D model by adding time dimension into the model and 5D model by additional aspect of project cost. In conclusion the benefits of the BIM–based documentation could overcome the majority of the conventional–based documentation’s problems that, except the minor indicators, the main outcomes of project was conformed the hypothesis of the research.