## 2 Literature Review
### Cloud/Mobile BIM for Collaboration  
Recently, the construction industry has seen a rapid increase in the use of mobile/cloud BIM computing technology in construction projects. It has been used for collaborative communication purposes through mobile devices like PCs, smartphones, tablets PCs and iPads [28]. BIM is being integrated with cloud computing technologies, creating an innovative working pattern streamlining communication with the onsite processes. Indeed, cloud computing technology promises to offer enhanced accessibility of project data and site images simply by remotely linking mobile devices with a dedicated remote server. The mobile/cloud BIM technology promises to offer higher levels of cooperation and collaboration. One of its major strengths is in the ability to offer a real-time communication platform for project team members and other external stakeholders. Mainly, mobile/cloud-BIM technology offers: (i) actual-time monitoring of progress, (ii) coordination, (iii) clash detection and (v) data sharing amongst project teams regardless of location, inter alia. Professionals have acknowledged the usage of mobile/could BIM technology in construction activities resulting in enhanced communication amongst site-based teams. Not only does it prevent unnecessary delays, but also, arguably, avoids the possibility of conflicts onsite. A number of peer-reviewed articles have substantiated the afore-mentioned benefits of mobile/cloud BIM technologies (e.g., [14; 24; 30; 31]). The real-time cloud-based collaborative BIM platform used through mobile devices is enabling users to virtually communicate [14]. Site teams are now able to view and make responses to site issues directly from their mobile/cloud devices. That has been seen as enhancing communication between project teams onsite. It therefore prevents unnecessary delays, which sometimes result in conflicts onsite. Cloud/mobile BIM technology facilitates the remote exchange of data wirelessly through the Internet. [PERSON] (2012) reiterated in their findings that construction sites need to adapt their onsite processes to accommodate mobile/cloud-based and structured data entry [30]. The authors emphasised that this was the only way significant benefits could be offered. To them, benefits were both in terms of convenience and also the efficiency of communication between site- and office-based staff. [PERSON] (2012) concluded in their research that despite the challenges of implementing mobile/cloud-based BIM, its use onsite is of great interest amongst the site teams [30]. In 2014, [PERSON] et al. added that cloud/mobile computing technology with BIM is helping propel innovation and collaboration in construction projects further [31]. For the diverse and distributed site teams to collaborate on a project, [PERSON] and [PERSON] (2014) stated that the continuous flow of data is required [32]. The authors emphasised that such data have to be consistently accurate and available anytime to the project teams. Cloud BIM is a model-based information management system, which is used to coordinate large, diverse, and distributed project participants, site activities and organise projects effectively. [PERSON] et al. (2014) viewed mobile/cloud BIM technology as enabling higher levels of cooperation and collaboration [31]. It was seen as a more effective virtual-time communication ground for project participants. [PERSON] et al. (2014) stated that in the construction stage, mobile/cloud BIM technology helps with tracking progress, schedule coordination of construction and getting rid of clashes due to design mistakes [14]. The conclusion reached suggested that mobile/cloud technology can perform actual-time monitoring of progress, coordination, clash detection and data sharing amongst project teams regardless of location. A review of mobile/cloud BIM computing technology found that interoperability was the key to the success of mobile/cloud BIM technology implementation [24; 28].