BIM-CAP: A tool for assessing building information modelling capabilities of architecture, engineering, construction and facilities management processes

The assessment of the Building Information Modelling (BIM) capabilities is significant for the digital transformation of the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Facilities Management (AEC/FM) life cycle. While existing BIM assessment models have transitioned from manual assessments to web-based platforms, many remain proprietary, lacking methodological transparency and architectural extensibility. To address these limitations, this study presents BIM Capability Assessment Application (BIM-CAP), an open-source, low-cost tool that operationalises the research-driven, process-based BIM Capability Assessment Reference Model (BIM-CAREM). BIM-CAP decouples assessment logic from the user interface through a Model-View-Template (MVT) architecture. The tool integrates BIM life-cycle-specific questions (i.e., conceptual planning, design, construction, and facilities management) with automated scoring and visual analytics, while its self-contained deployment ensures secure, localised data management. A pilot case study with the Estate Service of a UK-based University demonstrates BIM-CAP’s ability to provide transparent and process-level assessment, thereby allowing organisations to implement targeted BIM improvement strategies. Moreover, BIM-CAP’s modular architecture allows organisations to adapt the tool to their specific needs such as incorporating new BIM use-cases (e.g., 6D sustainability tracking and 7D facility management) and updating assessment questions without requiring software modification. It fosters an openBIM research environment that supports researchers in extending it for emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence or Digital Twin readiness.