This study is contemplation into prevailing BIM (Building Information Modelling) development practices, especially at the pre-maturity level. Firstly, the authors investigate the incentives that are set based on quantitative techniques and illustrate that rational models could not assist practitioners to make decisions on BIM adoption. Secondly, the survey-based methodology, which is predominantly used to assess industry readiness, was also reviewed to evaluate the amount of attention given towards externalities, such as procurement, policy, technical and organizational environments-which have a greater influence on BIM adoption. Further, the authors argue that the externalities are given a minimum consideration under the prevailing assessment criteria. The 'contextual-reflection' is used to describe externalities and a qualitative study was done in the South African context to evaluate the contextual reflection comprehensively. Integrating the findings with the Technology Adoption Model and Bew Richard BIM Maturity Model, the authors suggest a conceptual framework at the end of this study which could be repeated successfully in other contexts to evaluate industry readiness in a holistic manner.