Assessing the Utilization of Building Information Modelling Software for Project Planning in Construction Industries in Ondo State

debbyv8@gmail.com Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the utilization of building information modelling (BIM) software for project planning in construction industries in Ondo-State. Approach/Methodology/Design: Three research questions guided the study. A survey research design was adopted for the study. The population for the study comprised of 31 construction industries with 126 Contractors and Building consultants in construction industries in Ondo-State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire consisting of 41 items developed by the ERASMUS + programme was used for data collection. Two experts from the Department of Industrial Technical Education (Building/Woodwork), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and one expert from Bablor Construction Company, Akure South, Ondo-State validated the instrument. The reliability co-efficient of the instrument was 0.86. Data collected were analyzed using mean to answer the research questions, while t-test was used to answer the hypotheses. Findings: It was found that the extent to which building information modelling (BIM) software are utilized are still very low. The study therefore, recommend that education and training programmes on BIM software uses should be organized for construction industries, BIM should be made compulsory for all personnel involved in construction process and a standard contract document should be made available by the government/professional bodies for all building constructors to ensure the usability of BIM for construction project to enhance the construction design, process, analyze and resolve potential hazards and ensure that the building project is completed timely. Practical Implications: The study revealed the benefit of BIM software application for project planning Hence, the importance of BIM software cannot be overemphasized in achieving high building quality, innovative virtual design and project management in the modern world. Originality/value: This paper shows that Building information modelling software is an innovative way to practically design and manage project plan. BIM adoption is needed to enhance building performance and operation.


Introduction
Building Information Modelling (BIM) Software represents the digital formation. Erin (2016) described Building Information Modelling (BIM) Software as a software used by designers to create a building project with integrated information in a format that models both the structure and the entire timeline of a project from commencement to eventual demolition. The use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) Software gives architecture, engineering and construction experts the insight and tools to efficiently plan, design, construct and manage buildings and infrastructure in the construction industry. Milyutina (2018) affirmed that Building Information Modelling software is integrated into all stages of building production and sustenance such as data gathering, design, construction, machineries, building operations, repairs and demolition. The construction industry has continued to evolve with time to achieve efficient and effective service delivery Boukaraa and Naamane (2015) reported that over the past few years, the number of Building Information Modelling software technology users and buildings designed using the technology has grown drastically and this trend is expected to continue. However, studies have shown that Ondo-State construction industries are yet to fully adopt the Building Information Modelling software system for building construction project planning. The application of BIM software in building construction project planning improves project planning, visualization, management, workflow and partnership with all building personnel. Nevertheless, in Ondo-state there may be low availability of BIM technology tools and technologies and poor standardization of BIM process in the construction industry that are required to increase productivity, efficiency, quality and sustainability of building construction process. In addition, building construction professionals do not have the required skills and competency to operationalize BIM technology for construction processes.BIM being a rising technology in Nigeria construction industry is expected to deliver many benefits to the industry.
Based on this premise, this paper attempts to examine the extent of utilization of BIM by client and building professionals in Ondo-state building construction industries. The general purpose of this study is to assess the extent of the utilization of Building Information Modelling (BIM) Software for Project Planning in Construction industries in Ondo-State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study also sought to identify the benefits of Building Information Modelling (BIM) Software applications for Project Planning in Construction industries in Ondo-State and to identify the challenges faced in Building Information Modelling (BIM) Software applications for Project Planning in Construction industries in Ondo-State. Moreover, the study examines the extent to which Building Information Modelling (BIM) Software applications are used for Project Planning in Construction industries in Ondo-State.

Participants
A descriptive survey design was adopted for this study. The study was carried out in Ondo-State in 2019. The population of the study consisted of 126 Contractors and Building consultants in construction industries in Ondo-State, Nigeria. The questionnaire was administered among a randomly selected sample group, comprising of practicing professionals in the construction industries in the study area. These professionals include contractors (main and sub), Building Consultants (architects, builders, quantity surveyors, project managers, structural engineers, electrical engineer, and mechanical engineer).

Instrument for Data Collection
The instrument used for the study was a structured questionnaire with four sections A, B, C and D. Section A elicited demographic information of the respondents while Section B, C and D had 41 item statements that sought information to answer the research questions. The responses were designed based on 4-point scale which ranges from 4 to 1. The responses to research question 1 and 2 comprised of the following -Strongly Agreed (

Method of Data Analysis
The data collected from the study was analyzed using mean for answering the research questions and t-test for testing the hypotheses at probability level of 0.05 and 95 degree of freedom (df). Any item with a mean value of 2.50 and above was regarded as Agreed upon/utilized while any item with a mean below 2.50 was regarded as Disagreed/Not utilized. Data analyses were carried out using SPSS 22.0 as statistical packages. The statistical tools we employed are mean, Cronbach's alpha, and Independent samples t-test. The SPSS was used to determine the mean and Independent samples t-test. For the test of significance, the probability (p) value was used in comparison with the alpha value of .05, and at other relevant levels.

Results and Discussion
The data for answering Research question 2 are presented in Table 2.  The data for answering Research question 3 are presented in Table 3

Discussion of Results
The findings of the study showed that BIM software is utilized for project planning in construction industries in Ondo-state but the usage is very limited. This is in line with Azhar et al. (2008) in which they stated that BIM software adoption has been much slower than anticipated. It also showed that BIM software is not utilized for project control, cost and mitigation risk reduction, improvement of building quality, detection of potential hazard in construction process, for hastening project development, checking logistics and functioning of building construction project, facilities management and conceptual design support for project planning in construction industries in Ondo-state which simulate the operation of a construction project. Hence, it is recommended the government and professional bodies to make BIM software application compulsory for project planning.
The findings of the study also revealed that the challenges faced in BIM software application for project planning in Ondo-State are client's unawareness of BIM software, high cost of training, low availability of BIM technology and poor standardization of BIM process in the construction industry. This is in line with the findings of Brewer et al. (2012) as they stated that technical challenges, skills and training challenges, legal and procedural challenges, cost challenges, are the challenges for using BIM on construction.
Finally, the study revealed that BIM application is beneficial for project planning. Hence, the importance of BIM software cannot be overemphasized in achieving high building quality, innovative virtual design and project management in the modern world. This is in line with Qian, (2012) who stated that BIM enhanced project collaboration and control among stakeholders, improved productivity, better project quality and performance, faster project delivery, reduced wastages, reduced construction costs, new revenue and business opportunities.

Conclusion and Suggestion
Based on the findings of the study, it was revealed that the adoption of Building information modelling software technology is low in Ondo-State. This paper shows that Building Information Modelling software is an innovative way to practically design and manage project plan. BIM adoption is needed to enhance building performance and operation. This paper shows that BIM software can be used for project planning, design, preconstruction and construction phases in building construction process. These capabilities have empowered BIM to play a significant role in project planning and management. Therefore, BIM is imperative to stimulate construction project planning and the construction process to analyze and resolve issues and ensure that the project is completed timely.

Recommendations
Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made: • Education and training programme on BIM software should be organized to sensitize all building teams on the importance of BIM software technology.
• Appropriate BIM software technology and infrastructure should be provided by the construction project managers. • Building Information Modelling software technology should be made compulsory by the government and professional bodies for all building contractors or personnel involved in construction process. • A standard contract document should be integrated to building regulations by the government or professional bodies for project managers to ensure the usability of BIM for construction project.