Purificación Bautiste
Building Information Modelling (BIM) provides structured digital representations of built assets and supports coordinated workflows across the building life cycle. It has been widely promoted as a key enabler of digitalisation and automation in the construction sector and as a driver of sustainable transformation. However, robust empirical evidence supporting these expectations remains limited. This study presents an evidence-based narrative review of 163 reports drawn from peer-reviewed research, industry publications, and European institutional and policy sources. By integrating quantitative and qualitative evidence from academic and non-academic actors, the methodology moves beyond conventional literature reviews and incorporates measurable indicators of real-world adoption. The study critically examines both the demonstrated and potential contributions of BIM to digital transformation and provides context-sensitive insights for stakeholders. The analysis reveals a persistent gap between research focused on computational optimisation and productivity claims and implementation-oriented evidence showing that human and organisational factors remain the primary barriers, even among large firms reporting limited measurable benefits. It also highlights limited understanding of BIM’s broader structural implications as a relatively low-cost and accessible digital tool, including its effects on supply-chain coordination and resilience, secondary construction-product markets, and access to nearly zero-energy housing. Furthermore, the review underscores the persistent difficulty faced by policymakers and industry leaders in meaningfully engaging micro-enterprises—approximately 99% of the sector—despite their central role in any viable sustainability transition. The article calls for coordinated stakeholder action to enable secondary construction-product markets and scalable automation, and outlines practical pathways for SME-focused BIM.