Abstract
Building information modeling (BIM) demonstrates transformative potential in enhancing productivity within the architecture, engineering and construction industry. Nevertheless, determining how to improve the project performance through diverse BIM application conditions and identifying the performance improvement paths remains a valuable yet underexplored topic. Combined with the four actual application stages of BIM (the embryonic, the development, the stability, and the maturity stage) and five application conditions (BIM personnel training, BIM application points, BIM team building, BIM platform establishment, and BIM standard formulation), this study explores the performance improvement paths for Chinese BIM-supported civil engineering projects using the qualitative comparative analysis method. The findings indicate that none of the five application conditions constitutes a necessary condition for high project performance. The results reveal three configuration paths for enhancing comprehensive and individual performance: the talent-oriented path focusing on BIM personnel training and BIM team building, the technology-oriented path emphasizing BIM standard formulation, BIM platform establishment, and BIM application points, and the integrated path combining the talent-oriented path and the technology-oriented path. This paper not only can help the project stakeholders to allocate resources and improve performance for Chinese BIM-supported civil engineering projects but also provides a reference for government-related policies.