BIM Book - Call for Submissions: BIM in South Africa – Projects, People & Practices

bimcommunityafrica
5 days ago
2 min read

We invite professionals, organisations, public sector bodies, and project teams across South Africa to contribute to an upcoming BIM Book showcasing Building Information Modelling (BIM) in practice.

Purpose of the BIM Book

This digital book aims to document and celebrate how BIM is being applied within the South African built environment, highlighting both achievements and challenges.

It will explore not only project delivery, but also:

The impact of organisational culture on digital transformation
The development of skills and local BIM capability
Practical approaches to information management in a developing BIM landscape

The goal is to create a resource that reflects the real state of BIM in South Africa, offering lessons that are relevant, practical, and locally grounded. It will be launched at BIMHarambee 2026 on 24 July 2026.

Why Contribute?

Help shape the narrative of BIM in South Africa
Share lessons that can advance the local industry
Showcase your organisation’s work and innovation
Contribute to building a stronger, digital built environment

What We’re Looking For

We welcome submissions from across sectors including infrastructure, public works, commercial, residential, mining, and industrial projects.

1. Project Overview

Project description (sector, scale, location within South Africa)
Client type (public or private sector)
Key stakeholders and delivery model
Project drivers (e.g., cost efficiency, service delivery, sustainability)

2. BIM Implementation in a South African Context

How BIM was introduced and applied on the project
Level of BIM maturity achieved
Tools, platforms, and workflows used
Alignment (if any) with international standards e.g., ISO 19650
Adaptations made due to local constraints (e.g., bandwidth, procurement models, resource availability)

3. Information Management Practices

Approach to managing project information
Use (or absence) of a Common Data Environment (CDE)
Naming conventions, standards, and documentation practices
Challenges with data exchange across disciplines
Integration with asset management or handover processes

4. Organisational Culture & Industry Context

How organisational culture influenced BIM adoption
Leadership, collaboration, and change management
Barriers such as resistance to change, contractual limitations, or siloed working
Insights into working within South Africa’s regulatory and industry environment

5. Skills Development & Transformation

Training and upskilling initiatives within teams
Development of local BIM skills and capacity
Graduate development, mentorship, or partnerships with educational institutions
Contribution to transformation and inclusion within the built environment

6. Outcomes, Impact & Lessons Learned

Project outcomes (cost, time, quality, risk reduction, sustainability)
Measurable or observed benefits of BIM adoption
Key lessons learned - what worked and what didn’t
Recommendations for advancing BIM in South Africa

Submission Guidelines

Length: 1,500 – 3,000 words
Format: Word document with clear section headings
Visuals: Drawings, models, photos, or diagrams encouraged (to be submitted in high resolution jpg or pdf format.
Tone: Practical, honest, and reflective (not just promotional)
Authorship: Include contributor names, roles, and organisations