Significance of a software interoperability matrix for architectural engineering and construction industry

Traditional project management applications are appeared working separately of their participating project teams and isolating the input of each team to both geometry and non-geometry of the project. With the introduction of Building Information Modelling (BIM), Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry expected it would be a panacea as a tool to effectively collaborate project teams and to efficiently share geometry and non-geometry data relevant to not only design and construction but also covering the whole life-cycle of the project. All these BIM functions are relied on its automation capability; in other words, BIM vision totally discourages manual processing of data. As a result, good interoperability practice needs to pass data automatically between applications of different project teams. Many international associations are working in search of full interoperability among BIM players of the project; however, the goal is yet to succeed. The current study identifies the impact due to poor interoperability between applications and takes considerable effort to minimise or eliminate if possible. Software Interoperability Matrix (SIM) is the proposed solution delivering the outcome. Action research is the methodology adopted to develop SIM, in which researchers and professionals actively participated. Major industry contribution of SIM is to realise interoperability issues between BIM players prior to the project and upon identification, precautionary measures can be taken introducing new plug-ins or completely switching to new compatible application if it is the only solution.