# Identifying and assessing BIM implementation challenges and success factors in sustainable building projects among Malaysian SMEs

## TL;DR

This study explores the challenges and success factors for BIM adoption among Malaysian SMEs in sustainable building projects.

## Contribution

It provides empirically validated insights specific to SMEs in developing countries for BIM implementation.

## Key findings

- Only 13% of surveyed SMEs use BIM due to legal, training, and team fragmentation issues.
- Early team involvement and appropriate BIM tools are critical for successful implementation.
- The findings offer actionable guidance for SMEs and policymakers in developing nations.

## Abstract

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is considered a crucial technological innovation that should be embraced. While BIM adoption has progressed among large firms, its implementation within Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) remains limited, particularly in developing countries where SMEs dominate the construction sector. Construction SMEs face unique constraints, including limited financial resources, fragmented project teams, restricted technical capacity, and lower organizational readiness, making BIM adoption both critical and challenging. The aim of this research is to investigate the challenges and key success factors for BIM implementation from Malaysian SMEs. A survey was distributed to 590 construction firms, resulting in 268 usable responses. The results showed that only 13% of respondents reported using BIM in their building projects, with the majority (76%) citing complicated legal framework, lack of standardized BIM processes, absence of affordable training, low levels of trust and fragmented team. For effective Implementation of BIM, the top critical success factors included early involvement and participation of project teams, availability of information and technology, and early selection of appropriate BIM tools. The outcomes provide targeted insights for SMEs and policymakers by offering empirically validated guidance to support BIM adoption in sustainable building projects. While the study is based on Malaysian context, the results are relevant to other developing nations with SME-dominated industry facing similar institutional and technological conditions. The findings provide targeted insights for SMEs, policymakers, and industry stakeholders by offering empirically validated guidance to support BIM adoption in sustainable building projects.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-026-39021-5.