Cost–benefit analysis of building information modeling implementation in construction projects: evidence from Iran

Construction projects account for a large percentage of national resources, but they are typically finished at a cost and time beyond the initial estimates. Building information modeling (BIM) helps coordinate and integrate design and construction efforts to achieve the ultimate benefit needed to satisfy all the stakeholders. Despite the reported benefits of BIM, the implementation of such a new technology initially entails costs and barriers that sometimes delay the benefits achieved from their use. BIM also casts suspicion on whether they are useful, thereby reducing its adoption rate. This study aims to evaluate the benefits of implementing BIM functions compared to the cost of its implementation. The results include a cost–benefit analysis (CBA) for three construction projects in Iran by conducting semi-structured interviews. Finally, despite all the limitations and shortcomings, the achieved benefits outweigh the incurred costs, and BIM implementation in these three construction projects was beneficial. One of the innovations of this study is the use of cost–benefit analysis in evaluating the benefits of BIM, which is tangible and quantitative.