How to tell if a BIM project is successful: A goal-driven approach

•This study suggests a success level assessment model for BIM projects (SLAM BIM).•SLAM BIM is a goal-driven method for sustainably evaluating BIM project success.•It defines BIM goals, uses, KPIs, unit measurements, and collection forms in step.•SLAM BIM is tested to two construction projects in South Korea.

This study investigates the applicability of a success level assessment model for building information modeling (BIM) projects (SLAM BIM). SLAM BIM is a goal-driven method for the sustainable evaluation of a BIM project's success. It was developed on the premise that a project's success cannot be evaluated without first identifying its goals; thus, key performance indicators (KPIs) can vary according to project goal. SLAM BIM consists of five steps for defining BIM goals, uses, KPIs, unit measurements, and data collection forms and processes. To identify appropriate BIM KPIs, the collectability, measurability, and comparability of the candidate BIM KPIs were considered. Data related to schedule, design errors, change orders, response time, and ROI were collected and analyzed in the two projects by using the SLAM BIM process. The validity of SLAM BIM was tested by applying SLAM BIM from the beginning to the end of two construction projects.