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This view is reflected in a survey of industry representatives undertaken at RICS' annual BIM Conference, held in February. 53 per cent of the 260 delegates, working in a variety of sectors, identified culture change as one of the biggest issues they are faced with when implementing BIM in the workplace. This was up by a significant 30 per cent compared to the previous year.

72 per cent also believed it imperative to invest in BIM technology within the next 12 months, with a further 22 per cent seeing it as essential in the next 1-2 years, suggesting the vast majority are acutely aware of the looming 2016 deadline.

Alan Muse, Director of Built Environment at RICS said: “These results demonstrate the need for the biggest cultural shift in a generation if firms are to adopt BIM in time for the government’s 2016 deadline. The fact that culture has risen up the agenda by such a significant degree reinforces our aim to highlight the benefits of BIM and support its adoption across the industry.

“Continued collaboration will remain critical if this change is to be realised. At RICS, we are dedicated to developing our relationships with other bodies and the industry in working towards a BIM enabled future. Education and training are also key and we have been encouraged by the uptake of our BIM Certification launched in October of last year, with the first successful candidates being announced at the BIM Conference.”

The survey results showed a hunger for such education amongst delegates with 79 per cent being interested in a certification to demonstrate their BIM skills. 65 per cent also said they currently invest in BIM training. Minimal client demand was also viewed as a major barrier to BIM by 31 per cent of delegates. However, this was down from 46 per cent the previous year, reflecting the growing number of clients demanding BIM on projects in 2013.

Other results from the survey find that:
• 27 per cent identified BIM's relevance to be performance efficiency, while 24 per cent identified life-cycle management and 18 per cent growth and innovation
• Only 24 per cent of delegates said their organisations currently use BIM as a default solution
• 54 per cent of delegates had worked on a project where BIM was used in the last 12 months
• 50 per cent believed emerging standards in the UK were suitable for a global construction market, whilst only 12 per cent believed they were not. 38 per cent were undecided.

One of RICS' recent BIM Certified Managers and speakers at the conference, Sarah Davidson, Head of R&D at Gleeds Corporate Services Ltd, added: "People are at the heart of BIM but the vast majority will not be persuaded by a 'good idea'. They need evidence - how will BIM help me to be more efficient? How will BIM help deliver energy and cost savings for a project? It is critical in any business that there is support at the highest levels for change. Shifting the way we work takes time and a one size fits all approach is unlikely to be successful."