Cooperative Game Theory Solution to Design Liability Assignment Issues in BIM Projects

Abstract

In building information modeling (BIM) projects, more interactions between parties and more data input to the model lead to changes in roles and design processes, which require redefining parties’ responsibilities for design. The authors could hardly find solutions to this design liability assignment issue in neither previous studies, contractual standards, nor the contracts of BIM projects. Hence, we utilized cooperative game theory, particularly the liability game model, to analyze the issue. Using Core and Shapley value, different project conditions were compared based on five scenarios and parameters affecting parties’ shares of the damage. Both methods resulted in optimistic choices in all the scenarios. Findings were as follows: in all scenarios, the team that caused the first damage holds the biggest share, an increase in players’ weights will increase their share, and generally, all the parameters have more effect on the first player than on the others. The paper also analyzes a case study. Research results can result in better risk allocation and consequently less uncertainty in BIM projects, manipulating entrepreneurs into using BIM, and reaching a more productive industry.