Despite the impact of low oil prices on the global economy, Qatar continues to remain buoyant in completing ongoing major infrastructure projects around the country.

According to the US-Qatar Business Council, the Arabian Gulf country plans to spend over

• $200 billion on infrastructure projects between now and 2022, which includes roads, bridges, highways, railways, ports, and consultancy services, among others. The effects are being felt throughout the economy
• The Minister of Finance, HE Ali Sharif Al Emadi, reports that $24.03 billion had been allocated in 2015 for key transport projects, an increase of 16% from 2013-14, when the figure was $20.57 billion.
• Spending on transportation projects is also expected to reach $182.35 billion by 2019. Qatar's real estate, construction, and finance sectors are also experiencing a massive boost as businesses work overtime to utilize the allocated infrastructure investment funds.
• The government has allocated 40% of its budget through 2016 to infrastructure projects, including $11 billion on the next phase of Hamad International Airport (HIA),
• $5.5 billion on the New Doha Deep Water seaport, and $12.36 billion on improving existing and creating new road networks. Ashghal, the Qatari Public Works Authority, is one of the key national agencies supervising infrastructure development and will oversee roads and transport-related building projects, as well as a number of other projects

Infrastructure is a strong backbone of any country, and Qatar has been attracting foreign investments in infra sector in anticipation of the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Though financial resources are flowing flawlessly from the Government and investors, Qatari Construction industry is juggling to meet Cost, Time, and Quality.

Just like construction industry across the world, postponements, clash, procurement, communication and contractual problems epitomize the Qatari construction industry and pose a threat to accomplishing the Qatar Vision 2030 goals (GSDP, 2008).

Qatar’s government agencies are indicating best practices in having government-backed megaprojects, such as museums, transportation and healthcare facilities using BIM across the whole building construction project timeline. It is like a wake-up call for general contractors, sub contractors, and MEP contractors and various architectural and construction firms across Qatar.

The typical “QATARIAN” approach of getting work done through cheap labor, has made it a little difficult for them to use advanced tools and technologies, and get experienced staff or architectural engineering design support partners to deliver appropriate BIM solutions. With Billions of dollars at stake, Qatar’s construction firms need a paradigm shift to embrace it for their infrastructure developments.

Qatarian construction is heavily under influence of a ‘BIM training being expensive” myth. I don’t deny the fact that it asks a lot for initial investment depending on the area implemented, but it does payoff gradually. Embracing BIM could fundamentally enhance working relations on undertakings. There is worth in embracing devices and methods that would upgrade community oriented preferences by experts working in the business. Be that as it may, the general procedure to execute an established BIM methodology would at first worsen current issues before it could deliver upgrades to the development process.

By embracing BIM tools and BIM processes it has become a lot quicker, smoother and more affordable for government agencies to plan, design, build and manage transportation infrastructure.

• The utilization of Building Information Modeling (BIM) enhances efficiencies as the project progresses, since all data is contained in a single area. BIM tools depend on 3D models, and they help planners identify clash detection. Some companies are exploring added dimensions such as cost, time, and assets, with a specific end goal to smooth project administration in the execution stage and encourage upkeep amid operations. The utilization of elevated, laser, and radar innovation for scanning can quickly enhance surveying efficiency. For instance, in the configuration of transmission lines, the ground review can be led with helicopter-mounted scanners/radars instead of having ground groups do manual studies.

• Another essential element that enhances the utilization of BIM is the better interoperability between the team members. BIM offers coordination tools that let architects, structural and MEP engineers deal with a venture all the more viably. For instance, by working with the same model as a base, MEP specialists can format their frameworks around the structural model, enhancing coordination. A standout amongst the most valuable instruments accessible is clash detection, which is an incredible approach to diminish blunders via naturally checkingcollisions or interferences between the structural system and the ducts and plumbing systems. The coordination issues can then be identified and tackled in the outline stage rather than stretching out them to the construction, enhancing precision and decreasing mistakes.

• Huge numbers of today's unpredictable structures are staggeringly difficult to envision. Drawings help the designers to choose the aesthetics of a structure, yet frequently the best way to exactly position the structural components is to make a 3D model, through scan to BIM process, of the geometry. BIM specialists can create a 3D model taking into account the skin of a structure and the architect's guidelines, so that the design can be settled. Delivering a 3D model likewise benefits the fabricator and erector, allowing them to 'stroll through" the 3D model to determine any issues. This guarantees the structure is manufactured and raised rapidly, precisely, and productively.

From foot bridges, highway and railway structures, essentially no bridge detailing job is too meek or too complex for the team of expert detailers. By combining detailing and modeling one can deliver 3D models; shop drawings; erection drawings; placement drawings; blocking diagrams; bills of material and so on for the smooth functioning of the project.

With BIM solutions now on mobile devices, enabling updates between off-site and on -site, there is a sharp shift in role of technology in construction industry. While, Qatar being the GCC’s fastest-growing construction and infrastructure market, with approximately around $200-billion worth of projects by 2021 according to a recent report, the country cannot afford to lag behind its competitors. Contractors embracing BIM across the project delivery would boost Qatar’s position as an infrastructural hub, while leading UAEs competitiveness on a global scale.

About the Author: Gaurang Trivedi is engineering consultant at TrueCADD. Besides, donning multiple hats, as a website manager and marketing in charge, he also oversees the editorial content, coordinating and managing the website, its news sections, blogs and social media promotions as well.