The newly released fourth edition of the BIM Handbook arrives at a moment when digital construction is undergoing its most profound transformation since BIM first surfaced.
To explore what has changed and how it has reflected on the handbook, I spoke with one of the book’s co-authors, Dr. Marzia Bolpagni, Head of BIM International and Associate Director at Mace. Her perspective reflects deep practical experience combined with an academic commitment to advancing global BIM standards.
We also talked about whether a book is still a helpful way to share knowledge and information.
More than an incremental update
Marzia joined the author team with Prof. Rafael Sacks, Prof. Ghang Lee, and Dr. Luciana Burdi, Intl. Assoc. AIA, CCM, MCPPO, NAC, FCMAA to bring a significantly expanded and modernized view of BIM’s role throughout the asset lifecycle.
As Marzia explained, this edition is far more than an incremental update. It reflects a decade of industry evolution. We have moved from 3D modeling to interconnected information management, from isolated project tools to enterprise-level data ecosystems, and from construction-centric BIM to lifecycle-centric asset intelligence.
Several areas of the book have been substantially revised. Standards receive deeper, more actionable treatment, particularly ISO 19650 and the frameworks governing information delivery, exchange, and classification. There are also several case studies that showcase how organizations worldwide have successfully implemented BIM.
Clients expect more
The handbook now places greater emphasis on operations and asset management, a clear sign of where market demand is shifting. Owners today expect real-time performance data, transparent lifecycle costs, and digital outputs that support predictive maintenance, sustainability goals, and evidence-based decision-making. Ten years ago, such expectations were rare. Today, they impact procurement, contracting, and handover requirements.
Yet Marzia is candid about the gap between aspiration and practice. Many organizations still lack consistent workflows, enforceable information requirements, and the ability to reliably deliver structured data.
Even where standards exist, implementation often falls short. Digital twin handovers, for example, remain technically possible but culturally immature. The book acknowledges these discrepancies and aims to offer clearer pathways, not just idealized theory.
BIM is still in development
One interesting aspect is the relative weight given to different disciplines. Architecture and structures are covered in detail, while MEP receives less emphasis. Marzia noted that this reflects the authors’ respective domains, but it also hints at a future opportunity.
MEP remains both one of the most complex modeling domains and one of the least standardized. It is an area ripe for deeper treatment in subsequent editions.
Are legacy BIM tools still valid?
The book also addresses a fundamental industry tension: most leading BIM platforms were conceived in the 1990s, yet the demands placed on them today are radically different. Have these tools kept up with cloud-native collaboration, data-centric design, and AI-driven automation? In Marzia’s view, they’ve evolved, but not always at the pace or openness required.
This edition acknowledges the rise of browser-based design tools, “BIM 2.0” concepts, and AI-powered workflows. While these are not yet mainstream, they are likely to “define the next era” and will inevitably shape future editions of the handbook.
BIM for better decisions
Looking ahead, Marzia envisions a decade where BIM becomes inseparable from enterprise data strategy, regulation-driven sustainability, and measurable performance outcomes. The next phase is not about better models. It’s about better decisions, enabled by structured, interoperable information.
Books vs. bots
The way we get and consume information has changed since the first edition of the BIM Handbook came out 17 years ago. We’ve become impatient, getting our information in pieces from AI bots and YouTube videos. Is the book still a format that has relevance?
Marzia believes that the BIM Handbook is more relevant than ever because information has become quick, fragmented, and often unreliable. AI tools can give instant answers, but they lack the depth, context, or accountability that a curated, peer-reviewed reference offers. The handbook provides structure to a rapidly changing field and gives practitioners a trusted foundation that complements rather than competes with AI-driven knowledge.
I understand how demanding and time-consuming writing and editing a book can be, and I praise the authors for their accomplishment. They have created a book packed with knowledge and practical advice for anyone in the AECO industry, from students to professionals.
The fourth edition of the BIM Handbook and its companion materials are available through major academic publishers and online retailers. Both printed and digital versions are available at Wiley.com.
PS. My audio/video interview with Marzia is on the AEC Business podcast.
