Articulation of verbalizations and useful information in BIM coordination meetings

Building Information Modeling and Management (BIM) coordination meetings play a critical role in facilitating collaboration among diverse stakeholders involved in construction projects. These meetings assemble professionals from multiple disciplines, including architects, engineers, project owners, and contractors, with the objective of addressing project issues, sharing information, and aligning efforts. Given the inherent complexity of construction workflows and the increasing reliance on digital models, effective communication and coordination in these meetings are essential to ensure project success. This paper presents an empirical investigation of verbal interactions occurring during BIM coordination meetings conducted within a controlled experimental framework. A three-phase data collection protocol was employed to capture and analyze stakeholder exchanges. Central to this methodology is a specifically designed observation grid, consisting of four analytical levels and thirteen verbalization categories tailored to the BIM coordination context.

The principal aim of the study is to characterize the types of communicative exchanges among participants and to identify key informational elements that contribute to decision-making processes, particularly when the digital model serves as the primary mode of information presentation. Results indicate that the majority of exchanges consist of proposals and arguments, while verification and divergence phases are limited. Instances of counter-argumentation are also infrequent. A notable finding highlights the pivotal role of the BIM coordinator as a facilitator who steers discussions toward convergence and collective decision-making. The coordinator’s technical proficiency in BIM software, comprehensive knowledge of the project, and capacity to structure dialogue are instrumental in resolving conflicts and ensuring meeting efficiency. Furthermore, the project manager (MOE) assumes a critical function at decisive moments, guiding and validating decisions based on a deep understanding of the project’s technical specifications.Useful information emerges gradually over successive verbalizations, often requiring iterative contributions before reaching resolution. Such information primarily concerns digital modeling and the collaborative organization of work, impacting both short-term meeting outcomes and the long-term coordination process. Although the experimental design involving student participants restricts the generalizability of the findings, the study offers valuable insights into the fine-grained mechanisms of solution co-construction during BIM coordination meetings. The paper concludes with recommendations to enhance coordination practices and improve BIM coordinator training, emphasizing mastery of tools, constructive communication, and systematic follow-up of decisions.