COMMENTARY

Integrating BIM With Project Controls Systems

Have you ever wondered how to develop a project controls system, and if the investment in computerised project controls systems, as well as the staff to collect and analyse the data and maintain the system itself, are worth the investment? In this section, Lakhbeer Singh—founder and chief operating officer of IPEC Project Systems Sdn Bhd—elaborates on the reality of project controls system’s implementation, and how the evolution of Building Information Modelling (BIM) will be the game changer in project delivery. This article also explores the challenges that project controls professionals face in integrating BIM systems with traditional project controls software like Oracle Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project (MSP).

With the involvement of larger capital costs, international participation, joint venture owner relationships and multiple contractor execution strategies, construction projects have become more complex. Meanwhile, the tools and techniques for project control are often overlooked. With the evolution of BIM technology, contracting companies need to move fast to capture benefits offered by BIM to stay competitive due to the upcoming mandatory contractual requirement of BIM technology usage in Malaysia.

Since the midst of 1990s, Malaysia underwent massive transformation programmes with the launch of several mega projects, which had transformed Malaysia’s construction industry and project delivery methods. Some of the more prominent projects from that period were Putrajaya, a new international airport (Kuala Lumpur International Airport), a hydroelectric dam (Bakun dam), the Petronas Twin Towers, as well as several highways and rail projects such as Putra Rail, Star Line and Express Rail Link (ERL). Most of these pioneer projects were delivered by foreign project management consultants who introduced project controls discipline and software to companies in Malaysia.

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