Status and development BIM-Certification Solution
Biru, Mahlet (2025)
2025
Rakennustekniikan DI-ohjelma - Master's Programme in Civil Engineering
Rakennetun ympäristön tiedekunta - Faculty of Built Environment
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2025-06-23
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202506237387
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202506237387
Tiivistelmä
Purpose - This study investigates the global status and development potential of Building Information Modeling (BIM) Certification Solutions, focusing on validating individual and organizational capabilities. It examines existing certification systems in selected leading BIM-adopting countries and explores the need, challenges, and prospects for BIM certification in Finland.
Methodology- A qualitative approach was adopted, integrating a literature review, document analysis and semi-structured interviews with seven Finnish BIM experts. The literature review and document analysis assessed global BIM certification frameworks and standards, while interviews gathered insights into current practices, competency gaps, and perceptions of certification in Finland. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes and patterns from the interview data.
Findings - Globally, BIM certification is well-established in the UK and Singapore, with frameworks like ISO 19650 and buildingSMART certifications being prominent, while countries like Norway and Finland rely more on education than formal certification. In Finland, BIM competence is high but varies, with strengths in software proficiency and collaboration but gaps in quality assurance, standard implementation, and data-rich modeling. Awareness of certification is low, and no formal certification system exists, with career advancement relying on experience and references rather than certifications. Interviewees showed mixed support for a national certification program, citing benefits like standardization and quality improvement but highlighting barriers such as lack of client demand, cost, and cultural resistance.
Limitations - The study findings are limited by the small sample size of interviewees, potentially not fully representing smaller firms or remote regions in Finland. The list of BIM-certified companies is also not exhaustive, as it relies on publicly available data, which may omit some certifications.
Practical Implications - The research suggests that Finland could benefit from developing a role-specific, flexible, and stakeholder-involved BIM certification system to address competency gaps, enhance standardization, and support digitalization. Recommendations include defining clear competencies, benchmarking international standards, and integrating certification with educationcation and client requirements to ensure practical adoption and industry relevance.
Originality/Value - This thesis addresses a gap in academic literature by examining the status of BIM certification both globally. It identifies key challenges, competence gaps, and current industry practices of BIM in the Finnish context. The study provides a foundation for developing a context-specific certification system for Finland that aligns international frameworks with national needs in the construction sector.
Methodology- A qualitative approach was adopted, integrating a literature review, document analysis and semi-structured interviews with seven Finnish BIM experts. The literature review and document analysis assessed global BIM certification frameworks and standards, while interviews gathered insights into current practices, competency gaps, and perceptions of certification in Finland. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes and patterns from the interview data.
Findings - Globally, BIM certification is well-established in the UK and Singapore, with frameworks like ISO 19650 and buildingSMART certifications being prominent, while countries like Norway and Finland rely more on education than formal certification. In Finland, BIM competence is high but varies, with strengths in software proficiency and collaboration but gaps in quality assurance, standard implementation, and data-rich modeling. Awareness of certification is low, and no formal certification system exists, with career advancement relying on experience and references rather than certifications. Interviewees showed mixed support for a national certification program, citing benefits like standardization and quality improvement but highlighting barriers such as lack of client demand, cost, and cultural resistance.
Limitations - The study findings are limited by the small sample size of interviewees, potentially not fully representing smaller firms or remote regions in Finland. The list of BIM-certified companies is also not exhaustive, as it relies on publicly available data, which may omit some certifications.
Practical Implications - The research suggests that Finland could benefit from developing a role-specific, flexible, and stakeholder-involved BIM certification system to address competency gaps, enhance standardization, and support digitalization. Recommendations include defining clear competencies, benchmarking international standards, and integrating certification with educationcation and client requirements to ensure practical adoption and industry relevance.
Originality/Value - This thesis addresses a gap in academic literature by examining the status of BIM certification both globally. It identifies key challenges, competence gaps, and current industry practices of BIM in the Finnish context. The study provides a foundation for developing a context-specific certification system for Finland that aligns international frameworks with national needs in the construction sector.