A BIM-Driven Collaborative Management Model for Design–Construction Integration in Building Projects in Xi’an: A Conceptual Framework and Research Design

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is now widely adopted in Chinese construction, yet its collaborative benefits are not automatic. Empirical evidence from the Chinese market shows that BIM application is shaped by contractual, organisational and relational conditions rather than by software use alone. The design–construction interface therefore remains vulnerable to information discontinuity, responsibility ambiguity, late coordination and fragmented workflows. This paper addresses the gap between barrier diagnosis and management design. Drawing on a structured review of recent BIM and construction-management literature, together with international and Chinese information-management standards and national and local policy, it makes three contributions. First, it synthesises eight literature-informed candidate barrier domains—organisational, responsibility and governance, collaboration and relational, process, information management, technological, human and competency, and institutional and contractual—and positions BIM as a socio-technical enabling environment rather than a stand-alone solution. Second, it proposes a Structured Barrier–Evidence–Requirement Mapping procedure that converts empirically identified critical barriers into traceable collaborative management requirements, supported by a Barrier–Evidence–Requirement Traceability Matrix. Third, it outlines a requirements-driven model development and modified Delphi validation design for a context-adapted collaborative management model for building projects in Xi’an, a national intelligent-construction pilot city. The proposed approach connects the identification of barriers, the determination of requirements, model development, and validation, providing a transparent and auditable process for developing an expert-validated management model.