Collaborative Technologies for Small and Medium-sized Architecture, Engineering and Construction Enterprises: Implementation Survey

Although emerging technologies offer the AEC sector many opportunities for collaborative working, unfortunately the companies adopting these technologies usually fail in achieving the full benefits from their implementations despite previous government's attempts. With Building Information Modelling (BIM)
being imposed by the government on AEC projects by 2016, it is commonly observed that SMEs have fewer chances to get it right and so they need guidance. This paper aims to review how collaborative technologies
promote collaborative working between large companies and SMEs in the AEC sector and to present the current approaches adopted by construction organizations implementing collaboration environments. In order to achieve these aims, the paper identifies the key elements to focus on during the collaborative technologies implementation to enhance successful collaboration. The results of quantitative study are summarised to show the current IT implementation and collaborative working approach in SMEs. The paper concludes with some insights into how SMEs in the AEC sector can improve the implementation of collaborative technologies.