Global OpenBIM Mandates and Value Impacts

Represented by our CEO Dr. Calvin Kam and Manager of Education Programs Eva Yu, SBI is honored to be part of the buildingSMART International Summit in Singapore this year. The gathering of industry leaders presented another unique opportunity for us to not only learn from the experiences of others but also contribute to the ongoing dialogue around best practices and potential business values of openBIM.

Our 100-min session on Wednesday, moderated by Dr. Calvin Kam, made up of a global panel that included Annina Lehikoinen from buildingSMART Finland, Hamed Ahmad from Dubai Municipality, and Will Holmes from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. We were joined by an audience that represented over 20 economies/countries, who shared insights on topics from public procurement to permit approvals, debated their investments versus business impacts, analyzed challenges and opportunities for small firms, and discussed technologies and openBIM standards.

One of the key takeaways for us has been the emphasis on the benefits of embracing digitalization. While the change management process can be challenging, we recognize that the long-term gains in sustainability and productivity are well worth the effort. According to Annina, the transition to model-based design in Finland has resulted in an estimated 10-year period savings of approximately $320 million. Jugal Makwana from Autodesk emphasized that the transition to information modeling and management is a more complex process compared to the shift from manual drawing to CAD.

Navigating the complexities of openBIM mandates has also been a focus of our participation. Hearing the perspectives of professionals like Jack Cheng from HKUST/CIC and Tarmo from Finland has given us a deeper understanding of the nuances involved in this process. For example, Jack shared that while BIM is mandated in Hong Kong for government projects, the adoption of openBIM has been more challenging due to the prevalence of proprietary software. 

One of the most valuable aspects of this summit has been the opportunity to share our own experiences and challenges. By engaging in discussions with industry leaders like Veljko from Bexel, who shared the challenges of mandating openBIM in Slovenia and Croatia, and Ronald Bergs from the Netherlands, who highlighted the need for ROI metrics and fit-for-purpose requirements, we've been able to help shape the future direction of openBIM adoption. This collaborative approach is essential in addressing the soft and hard costs associated with the transformation, which Jag Mallela from WSP estimated to be crucial in informing the industry.

As SBI, we are excited to be part of this pivotal moment in the construction industry. By participating in the buildingSMART International Summit - Singapore 2025, we've gained a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. We're committed to leveraging the insights and experiences shared at this event to bring Global OpenBIM Mandates and Value Impacts to the next level.

At the end of the session, we shared an open Figma Board that is created to solicit contributions, feedback, and input on openBIM mandates from around the world. Check out the board below, sign in or create a Figma account, and let us know what your country/region/county/city's approach with openBIM mandates and policies.