Mitigating early-phase miscommunication between architects and structural engineers: a systematic review and framework linking BIM/VR strategies to communication barriers

Effective communication between architects and structural engineers iscritical for the success of construction projects, particularly during earlydesign phases. While prior systematic reviews have focused on BuildingInformation Modeling (BIM) or Virtual Reality (VR), none havesystematically mapped specific BIM/VR strategies to sources ofmiscommunication. This study, guided by PRISMA, 2020 methodology,refines existing approaches to examine how BIM and VR technologieshelp mitigate communication challenges. A systematic review of literaturepublished between 2014 and 2024 identifies key sources ofmiscommunication: difficulties in interpreting 2D drawings, a lack ofeffective communication channels, technological limitations, andorganizational issues such as unclear roles and insufficient training. Theanalysis reveals that BIM’s data-rich 3D modeling enables early detectionof design conflicts, while VR facilitates immersive, real-time design reviewsthat enhance stakeholder understanding and engagement. However,integration of these technologies faces challenges, includinginteroperability issues, high implementation costs, inconsistent adoption,and resistance to change. The findings emphasize that technology alonecannot resolve communication breakdowns. Instead, successfulimplementation requires a collaborative culture, clear roles, and mutualtrust among project stakeholders. Consequently, this study proposes anovel structured six-step implementation framework, providing a practicaldecision criterion that aligns specific BIM and VR strategies to early-phasemiscommunication sources. This structured approach enhances practicalapplicability, improves stakeholder collaboration, and ensures effectivetechnology integration across diverse organizational scales