Switzerland’s Federal government launched the “Digital Switzerland” strategy in April 2016 with the aim of positioning Switzerland as an innovative and future-oriented economic and research location in the digital age. A digital scorecard assesses Switzerland’s readiness for digitalization in different sectors, with Infrastructure and International Competitiveness sectors being well-positioned. However, the “Industry 4.0” sector, with a score of 18%, still has potential for development and Building Information Modeling (BIM) plays an essential role in this.
Switzerland has various networks and committees dealing with digitalization. Netzwerk Digital, founded in December 2016, is a platform that coordinates digital transformation in the planning, construction, and real estate sectors. Bauen digital Schweiz is an interest group that shows best practice across the entire value chain and creates appropriate guidelines and templates for the industry. The Swiss Engineering and Architectural Association (SIA) published their BIM Whitepaper on BIM (Merkblatt 2051) in late 2017, and the SIA also has a Central Commission for BIM. buildingSMART is another organization that develops the world’s openBIM standards, with Switzerland having its own buildingSMART Chapter through which it is represented in various groups and can have influence.
Federal Councilor Doris Leuthard said during the “Digital Switzerland” strategy launch that Switzerland has the conditions to master the change successfully, with a very digital infrastructure, well-educated population, and innovative spirit. Switzerland is on a positive path in terms of BIM development.
