What Is Open BIM? Comprehensive Guide 2024

Exclusive Neuroject Article: “In today’s changing market, those who do not adapt to the new method will have difficulties acquiring new projects.” -Frank Birwe, Managing Director.

Construction technologies are capable of crossing borders, and standards should be as well. Rather than having separate BIM standards for every nation, we should have a common language that facilitates communication amongst all technologies, regardless of their application.

Open BIM is a progressive, digital, future-proof approach to improve collaboration across the AEC/O industry. It facilitates communication between various project participants by enabling the transmission of project data via impartial, non-proprietary file formats in building or infrastructure projects.

Everyone who creates, processes, imports, or exports BIM data benefits from using open standards; this includes everyone involved in the planning, tendering, and design stages as well as those involved in construction and operation. It helps a wide range of software users, including property managers, architects, engineers, and builders, as well as clients and owners, to collaborate on the creation of amazing buildings.

With the creation of a single language through open BIM, workflow transparency, longevity, and data accessibility for built assets are ensured. Ideally, this is done in real-time, cloud-based, and single “source of truth.”

Table of Contents

An Explanation to BIM (Building Information Modelling)

To gain a broader perspective, let’s first reduce Building Information Modelling to its three initial letters.

The “I” of BIM: The fundamental idea of BIM is the “I” for information, which also happens to be the main source of CAD issues. Because of the radical differences in the notion, we shouldn’t consider BIM to be a CAD progression. Instead, it represents a whole paradigm shift in how we view buildings. As a structure ages, a variety of information becomes accumulated and needs to be shared, assessed, and utilized again by many different parties.

Only the larger context may be used to assess and validate all of this data, including its geometrical nature and any physical or movement data from a building that is now in use. Because the typical CAD planning processes are based on individual local systems used by each participant and are only exchanged and validated periodically, they are unable to give this comprehensive context.

In contrast, BIM adopts an entirely new strategy in which all data is incorporated into three-dimensional digital models and continuously shared with all parties through the cloud. This gives a clear understanding of the project’s current state and eliminates the need for prior interpretation, which calls for a high level of technical expertise and understanding.

In conclusion, the “I” allows us to utilize the project directly in your specific use cases, assess it in the context of the building as a whole, and obtain a greater understanding of its current state. The good news is that an excellent but complicated data format known as IFC already exists. Our data can be exchanged without the need for software thanks to IFC.

The “M” of BIM: However, there are two ways to read the letter “M” to comprehend BIM holistically. The word “modeling,” or the process of creating 3D BIM models, is represented by the letter M in the traditional definition of BIM.

This mainly relates to the planning stage, where planners develop the majority of the models. When we understand the “M” to stand for management, a whole new field of study emerges, explaining why BIM managers are essential to those projects to guarantee a proper and profitable endeavor.

As previously established, the primary focus of BIM is information generated during the modeling process. However, sophisticated management is required to activate the well-known potential behind BIM to generate data in a targeted manner and depending on the demands of the project and its participants.

We should anticipate receiving conceptualized and highly valid data as part of the process. As a result, at every stage of the project, we will have the best foundation for decision-making, which will improve quality and enable us to securely accomplish our objectives.

Due to the increased transparency brought about by these changes in the design, construction, and operation of our buildings, there must be a significant cultural shift. Joint, highly communicative methods of interdisciplinary cooperation are to replace strictly divided partial services and contracts.

Each of us who takes part in these processes has dependencies on other involved stakeholders. This transparency and cooperation create a win-win situation.

The “B” of BIM: Not to mention, we need to shed some light on the “B” surrounding this method’s application. The terms “building planning, construction, and operation” as well as the media “drawing,” as in CAD, are no longer relevant.

Regardless of the stage of the project or the life cycle, we are always discussing the complete building. Because the BIM model is the only authentic data source and the living outcome of the process that created it, every operation in our buildings refers to it.

What are the BIM Variants?

BIM can be used in four different ways:

Little Closed BIM: The user works within his specialty on a digital model. He doesn’t share his data with other fields and just uses one piece of software.
Large Closed BIM: Participants in planning from various trades work with an electronic model. The several disciplines are handled by a single application, and data interchange occurs through a proprietary interface.
Little Open BIM: The user uses a single piece of software to work on a digital model in his department. Both an open and a closed interface are used for data exchange.
Big Open BIM: The largest BIM approach is this one. Collaboratively, users from many fields of expertise utilize the digital model. Different software solutions are used and data exchange takes place via neutral interfaces.

What Exactly is Open BIM, and How Does it Work?

Open BIM means working with Building Information Modeling (BIM) using open software, processes, and standards. By facilitating information exchange, Open BIM aims to improve integration and efficiency for all design and construction professionals. The new ISO 19650 standards for creating and overseeing Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows are likewise in line with Open BIM.

As the name suggests, Open BIM is a format that allows each project member to access the information model without hampering the native design. Working together to design, construct, and manage buildings based on open standards like IFC, BCF, and others is a global strategy.

For a simple understanding, let’s look at an example. We draft a document and send it to another party. Usually, we complete it as a PDF file. While comments and recommendations can be added to a PDF document, the original text cannot be altered. When we distribute that document in Word format, though, things are different. That is a simple approach to alter the original content.

BIM is the same. Here, a model is made and distributed to every project participant. There’s a potential that anyone can alter the original model if we distribute it in native file format.

However, when the model is shared in Open BIM format, the model content is protected, and the data is observable, quantifiable, and useful.

Any other member cannot change the original file. Regardless of the software tools they choose, project members can participate in Open BIM’s transparent and open workflow. Better buildings are the outcome of this strategy, which gives all industry stakeholders the ability to engage in meaningful, reciprocal workflows. So Open BIM is a format of BIM that uses open standards. This means several things, including:

Every project member can use the best tools for their particular workflow, without being locked into one vendor.
Every project member can access the BIM model without interfering with the native design.
AEC firms can adopt the technologies that best suit their needs, regardless of integration concerns.
All the disparate systems being used on a BIM project can communicate with each other.
Stakeholders can invest in newer technologies without worrying about how they’ll manually share data among devices.
AEC firms can easily hand off data to business intelligence teams, who can generate insights that improve project safety, timing, and costs.

Open BIM vs Closed BIM

When using a “closed BIM” method, one provider is usually trusted to provide all the software tools required to coordinate the design and guarantee effective communication between the involved parties. Since the supplier handles everything, there is no need to worry about open, standardized formats when sharing data in such a closed software ecosystem.

Any decent software product can be used with an open BIM approach since data is seamlessly transferred using open international standards between the many vendor systems. Versions of the software are not a concern. It is not necessary to stick with a single vendor for the tools available. The success of the project is not reliant on one provider.

Five Reasons to Use Open BIM

Applying an open BIM approach will enhance communication and cooperation in your project processes and during the asset life cycle. A considerably more sustainable business will result from this. I’ll give you five reasons why.

When compared to traditional 2D-based coordination, it is evident that employing BIM (Building Information Modeling) workflows in design collaboration enhances the project’s overall performance and the caliber of the deliverables. Compared to a closed BIM-based strategy, an open BIM-based approach facilitates faster collaboration, less misunderstandings, and more effective data flow between stakeholders.

1. Guaranteed Access to Data

Your data is always accessible with open BIM since it is stored on open standards such as BIM Collaboration Format (BCF), Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), and others. Your data is not stored in a secret format that is only accessible by a single vendor or a small group of people. The public has access to open BIM formats, enabling you to read and comprehend the data you own.

Numerous establishments have discovered this the hard way. For instance, a whole oil platform in the North Sea was created using exclusive software, and the owner maintained secure control over the data center where the data was kept. Nevertheless, no tools were available on the market to read the 5-year-old files when the platform needed changes after just 5 years.

The vendor made the decision that supporting those outdated files was not in their best interests as a company. The oil platform had to have a whole model rebuilt from the start when it was lost. It is unclear from the story whether they stored the model using an open international standard this time.

The worst-case situation with open BIM is that your data cannot be read by any existing tool; however, since the format is public, you can hire someone to create a tool that will read your valuable data. Put differently, you can count on having access to your data. Whenever.

2. More Innovative Tools

Innovation begins to occur when data is exchanged on open standards, which are formats that are readable by everybody, especially if the industry is big enough. And the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) Industry is a prime example of it.

Take a look at what transpired about the Internet. Every single web page is kept in the open standard format known as HTML, and all data is transferred via protocols based on open standards. Without open standards and data in open formats, Google would not be possible. They could read anything available and organize it for us because all of the data was written in open, standards-based formats.

Furthermore, Google is but a tiny sample of the sheer amount of innovation that the Internet’s open standards allow to flourish. Envision having unrestricted access to all the fascinating information regarding the lifecycle of any constructed item, in open formats! It will release an unthinkable stream of cutting-edge instruments that might quicken the transition of our sector to sustainable practices.

Selecting solutions that adhere to the open BIM methodology will usually result in more inventive and intelligent assistance for your workflows.

3. High Degree of Resiliency

You are raising the project’s total risk if it is relying on one vendor to be finished. It is obvious which project has the lowest risk factor when you compare that to a project that can employ many tools from various vendors and yet finish on schedule.

You will have more options for designers and vendors if you let many software platforms assist each stage of your design collaboration process. It will increase the project’s overall resiliency and allow you options in terms of what to utilize and when. An open BIM project would not be derailed by any significant occurrences involving one of the software providers or designers.

4. Much Better Security

Open standards-based formats are where data resides when open BIM workflows are employed. This ensures that your data can be accessed, as we have learned. This strategy also has the advantage of much-improved security.

When a vendor develops a design tool, they do not have transparency over the data they keep since they prefer to store it in their own proprietary format. For instance, in their proprietary Doc format, at least one previous version of Word preserved the complete history of file changes. Most users were unaware of this until someone found a social security number in their document that they shouldn’t have access to.

The author thought that the old social security number would never return, so she used a different document, duplicated it, erased the old one, and added the new one before saving the file. Microsoft was obliged to alter its format as a result of the big information breach.

Since everything is transparent in an open standards-based manner, this won’t occur. Everything that enters into that file is known to you. Therefore, make sure you utilize IFC, for example, to save that model data if you have many versions of your building and some of those updates contain information you do not want anybody else to access.

Using an open BIM-based approach and opting to employ open international standards whenever possible will improve data security and control for your project, lowering overall risk.

5. Flexible Future Proofing

You genuinely have a selection of software tools and providers when using open BIM. Additionally, there is a greater chance of receiving more inventive software. Additionally, this is a smart method of future-proofing your company’s operations. Closed systems will fall behind and rob you of the freedom to innovate on your own workflows to the point where the processes and workflows are enhanced and expanded.

When a new technology is released, tech-savvy individuals who enjoy learning new things typically incorporate the new capabilities into their daily routines. Early adopters perceive an intriguing benefit for their activities or the tasks of their team.

But when technology advances like BIM, CIOs, CEOs, and COOs begin to see the advantages for the whole company.

Instead of seeing technology as a tool for a select few teams’ workflows, they see it as a facilitator for their whole company. The profits also begin to accumulate at this point. At this point, the organization as a whole would prefer to maintain its flexibility and access to new and creative technology, so trusting a closed system becomes riskier. Since BIM is now about vital data for the entire organization and its stakeholders rather than just tools for technicians, Open BIM is thus the logical next step for these real estate enterprises. It is sustainable financial sense to use open BIM.

BuildingSMART International and its Connection to Open BIM

The non-profit global community known as BuildingSMART International, or bSI, is largely acknowledged as the “home” of open BIM. Using open and neutral standards like data formats, buildingSMART aims to promote digital transformation in the construction sector.

BuildingSMART consists of members, partners, and chapters, and three different Programs act as the support network for specific activities that bSI performs, such as:

The User Program is responsible for general open BIM promotion activities, such as planning conferences and other events, and it also identifies the needs of the industry going forward.
Compliance Program for all duties linked to certification, whether they concern businesses, BIM employees, particular software, or something else totally
The Standards Program is responsible for creating and maintaining a range of technical papers, reference webpages, and standards.

About open BIM standards, we can divide them into three categories: workflow standards, services, and data standards.

Data Standards rely on two major points of interest – IFC and MVD. Industry Foundation Classes, or IFCs, are a data cataloging standard used for the majority of BIM-related data. Model View Definition (MVD) is a type of filter on an IFC file that specifies which data elements will be shared during a communication procedure.

The core of BuildingSMART’s services is the bSDD, or BuildingSMART Data Dictionary, an online tool that maps different types of technical data into a consistent order.

Workflow Standards are mainly including BCF and IDM. BCF, or BIM Collaboration Format, is a method for streamlining communication and facilitating information sharing between specialists in the field. Information Delivery Manual, or IDM for short, is a standard operating procedure for the previously stated BCF.

Currently, the market for BIM software offers over 200 distinct software solutions that are regarded as open BIM-compliant, and the number of these products is increasing at a remarkable rate. A significant portion of the effort goes into IFC and BCF, both of which are worthwhile investigating.

Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)

As a standard, IFC can contain a wide range of data, including relationships between items, object parameters, identifying information about individuals, and even whole processes on these objects. IFC is the primary solution for opening BIM to all proprietary data formats available in the BIM market. It also carries additional legitimacy in the eyes of the average user due to its ISO certification.

Since IFC may still be seen and edited even if the original program used to build the model becomes unavailable, it is thought to be far more future-proof than any closed BIM data format.

Although this type of version distribution might appear a little daunting at first, the truth is straightforward: the majority of businesses still utilize IFC 2×3, and IFC is viewable by any compatible program. Such software can not only examine but also modify IFC files because IFC is primarily a BIM data model rather than a user interface.

BIM Collaboration Format (BCF)

Of course, open BIM continues to strive for better cooperation and more robust workflows, even with just one BIM data format. Outside of detailed BIM models, there are also initiatives to enhance general work collaboration and data sharing; here is where BCF enters the picture.

BCF is an XML file that is used mostly for issue tracking and is structured like a server setup file. It provides a contextualized perspective of each issue using PNG and IFC coordinates, giving departments and individuals that require the information a more comprehensive understanding.

BCF can be helpful for two primary software categories, such as:

The coordination software, which typically uses a customizable user interface to address issues with issue tracking and issue management
The authoring software, which can both generate and distribute model problem data in BCF format – a BIM solution may have either native BCF support or an add-on to achieve such compatibility.

Initially a file-based transfer, BCF evolved into a server-based collaborative workflow (with the aid of bcfAPI) that is currently utilized by numerous businesses and organizations.

8 Tips to Accelerate Your Open BIM Project

There is a lot of communication involved in working on an open BIM project. Because of this, you may find that you are wasting too much time looking up information or fixing errors brought on by outdated or inaccurate files.

Since you are not working on BIM projects alone, you should be aware that team members’ and stakeholders’ productivity will increase as they work more quickly and efficiently, which will benefit the project as a whole. Effective communication is essential for that. We’ve put together eight suggestions to assist you in doing just that.

1. Ensure Accurate and Complete BIM Project Information

You lay the groundwork for faster communication. Oh, you do! Nobody likes having to spend time and energy on pointless information. You and the other members of your team need to ensure that the information in the project is accurate.

The information in the BIM model should be precise, comprehensive, and clear when used for communication. As much self-explanation from the model as possible is what you desire! In this manner, you can effectively communicate with others by using the model.

2. Communicate Using BCF

Using BCF files is essential to enhancing communication about your BIM project. BCF is intended to enhance IFC-based BIM projects and promote transparent communication. You can keep the individual parts of your model in this open file format, which also allows you to add screenshots, text comments, and points of view. It facilitates collaboration between all parties involved in the model’s development.

3. Use a Centralized Data Location

It is advised to establish a single informational site where all interested parties may locate the data they require. That is precisely what a BIM problem management platform provides. It guarantees that all problems, correspondence, and documentation are coordinated. Consequently, searching through disorganized spreadsheets and documents is no longer necessary to obtain information. Your project data can be quickly located because it is all in one place!

4. Connect with your Favored BIM Applications

Changing between apps can cause you to lose important time. Therefore, you need to confirm that your problem management tool is directly connected to the applications you use! You may collaborate and exchange data straight from your own BIM software by utilizing plugins and BCF Managers.

BCF Managers will make it simple for you to locate issue locations, and any comments or labels that are connected will help you take the necessary action. Through the issue management platform, you may share your progress with your team, solve a problem immediately in your preferred tool, and concentrate on the challenges that lie ahead.

5. Accelerate Your BIM Coordination Workflow

Not only should all data be centralized, but all correspondence should also be. As previously said, managing emails, links, video conversations, phone calls, PDFs, scans, and even sticky notes may be very stressful. Rather, all BIM concerns and the dialogue surrounding them ought to be centrally located.

You can find and manually reroute important information when using an issue management application like BIM Collab Cloud. It’s simple to stay on top of the topics at hand, examine their specifics, establish deadlines, assign tasks, and discover what has been discussed. It will assist you in understanding the project’s development and identifying the location of the crucial task. It enables you and your team to work effectively and transparently.

6. Speed Up Design Reviews

Meetings for design reviews may be very time-consuming, as we all know. It takes a lot of effort to comb through countless spreadsheets or look for that one email that clarifies a problem. It’s a challenging manner of working. On the other hand, you may quickly filter concerns based on who attended a design review meeting when you use issue management software.

In addition, creating reports and dashboards to display the project’s advancement is simple. By exchanging accurate and pertinent information with stakeholders, it makes decision-making easier and communication more effective.

7. Keep Track of All Changes

Keeping track of all the model modifications is a particularly challenging task when using standard BIM project communication. You can always access the project history by using an issue management platform, which centralizes all issues, communication, and reporting.

By keeping track of everything that occurs throughout the project, you lay the groundwork for an exhaustive and clear audit trail. This eliminates the need for misplaced files, email archive searches, and ongoing debates about what should and shouldn’t be changed.

8. Benefit from Your Lessons Learned

Spend some time recapitulating after your BIM project to further enhance communication for all of your open BIM initiatives. Take note of your errors, revise your process documentation, and produce an even better start-up document. That will help your next team working on BIM projects!

How Open BIM Is Leveling Up Industry’s Digital Journey

This unified approach to the design-and-build process benefits all design and construction teams in the following ways as AEC evolves toward greater digital collaboration:

Stakeholder Alignment

Various teams collaborate using the same files to ensure project-wide coordination, perhaps minimizing miscommunication—the main cause of 52% of rework. An open ecosystem makes a project’s whole picture equally available to all teams.

Interoperability

Data silos are eliminated and efficiencies are created when individuals, systems, and workflows can exchange data with ease. For instance, searching for the appropriate paperwork might take up to 35% of the time for construction workers. They can locate what they need with ease in an interconnected ecosystem.

One Connected Ecosystem

Cloud APIs for interoperability have been developed by solutions including Autodesk Construction Cloud, Resolve, Datum 360, hh2, and Newforma, enabling the interchange of BIM data.

Long-term Asset Management

IFC digitally stores project data for usage throughout the structure’s existence, including digital models, project accounting, and materials used. Although BIM provides the foundation for digital twins, open BIM standards guarantee the interoperability of the data entering the BIM process, enabling ongoing structural monitoring and optimization long after the building is completed. Deeper advantages to think about include:

All project data from each team that worked on the project, kept in a similar data environment, may be included in a future asset sale.
Privacy regulations guarantee the safe management and archiving of data.
Having real-time access to digital twins can help identify possible problems and assess how the environment is changing around a developed asset.

More Sustainable Processes and Projects

A more streamlined, integrated process is produced when design teams synchronize data and processes. Collaborating with shared data enables groups to concentrate more on the project’s key results, such as its carbon footprint.

Reduce Schedule and Budget Overages

Project completion on time and under budget can be facilitated by having real-time access to all project data. Designers and construction experts can identify faults digitally before the start of construction and prevent issues during the process thanks to a uniform set of information included in all writing tools.

3 Companies Leading the Charge for Open BIM

Although AEC has been comparatively sluggish in adopting new technologies, some businesses are leading the way. These three companies are utilizing open BIM on large-scale projects to improve business outcomes, collaboration, and workflows.

1. Erik Guidice Architects (EGA)

The 645,834-square-foot Platinan building in Gothenburg, Sweden was designed by EGA using open BIM. This choice enhanced the level of cooperation between EGA and the other construction companies. EGA was able to export IFC files to share with other teams utilizing a range of software programs by using Revit as its primary design platform. Subsequently, it will employ its open BIM cooperation approach to construct the 2024 Olympic athletes’ village in Paris.

2. Norconsult

Norconsult, a Norwegian engineering and design business, pioneered infrastructure digitalization when it constructed the $500 million, 19-kilometer E39 freeway in southern Norway. Norconsult aimed to provide the 2,000 employees with a single information source.

Norconsult developed a cloud solution that allowed for the real-time collaboration and file sharing of 100,000 digital documents, primarily using Forge as its project platform. Utilizing Forge APIs to examine BIM models, the company is currently developing a digital twin platform of its own.

3. VolkerWessels

The Netherlands’ Zwolle-Herfte railway expansion project required the construction of a train tunnel, the rerouting of roads and bike lanes, and the laying of new tracks. VolkerWessels used a combination of GIS and BIM to integrate data more deeply and manage the intricate project. Increased openness and simpler cross-platform and cross-stakeholder collaboration were made possible by Open BIM.

Why Open BIM may not be for Every Company out there

Even though open BIM as a standard has many benefits, some drawbacks can discourage some businesses from purchasing open BIM software. For instance, larger businesses might value the security and comfort that come with using proprietary data from industry heavyweights like Autodesk.

Because of the popularity of some of their solutions and the variety of software types that Autodesk offers (all of which are guaranteed to work together), this specific software provider company is also one of the few CAD/BIM market participants who can afford to use proprietary formats.

The fact that there are several iterations of the standard and the requirement for workarounds for activities have led to a great deal of doubt regarding the endeavor as a whole and IFC in particular. Transferring an IFC file between two distinct BIM platforms also raises a legitimate risk of data loss, as this might result in natively developed (not transformed) information being lost or rendered unintelligible.

Since not all software providers develop their solutions with the most recent iteration of IFC in mind, the abundance of solutions supporting IFC and open BIM can also be seen as somewhat of a disadvantage. This can lead to needless confusion when determining and testing for specific IFC standards and supported features.

What Is the Future of Open BIM?

While digital transformation is developing to accommodate the increasing complexity of constructed assets, AEC procedures are being improved by BIM, and data file interoperability is being stimulated by open BIM. The use of data collection and analysis to promote cooperation is becoming more and more important. This is what’s coming up next.

Government BIM Mandates

Improving the building process to make it more productive, sustainable, and efficient benefits more than just the construction sector. The move to open BIM strengthens benefits to society, like a longer-lasting built environment that can accommodate a growing world population. Governments are beginning to act more proactively by creating regulations requiring both public and commercial AEC companies to utilize open BIM while working on projects.

The Shift from Huge Files to Granular Data

For interoperability, open BIM will eventually move to the current technology stack. Through the use of granular data enabled by APIs, industry services are connected. Compared to current approaches, the future appears to be more capable, automated and focused.

The Rise of an Industry Cloud

An integrated AEC industry cloud is what’s coming. This is the culmination of the whole technology stack required for any particular cloud project. Through APIs, these parts will join together to form a product network that depends on one another.

Businesses will begin collaborating to offer a higher total capability to fulfill the demands of the sector. APIs operating on granular data will power the industry cloud; this is the constellation of the future.

Conclusion

Open BIM is a forward-thinking method that enables you to link AEC staff with stakeholders to develop better buildings. Regardless of the BIM tools used, this method enables businesses to share project information with their stakeholders in neutral, non-proprietary file formats. AEC projects are intricate and demand continuous teamwork and communication, yet there is frequently a divide between teams, particularly those with offices and field locations.

You may facilitate communication amongst project stakeholders and make sure that everyone agrees on a quicker completion time by utilizing open BIM standards. Additionally, it creates a single language for standardized procedures and provides project data that is consistent throughout the asset’s lifetime. This makes it easier for you to ensure data quality and prevent several inputs of identical data and significant issues.

In many situations, the Open BIM movement can be quite beneficial, particularly when it comes to discussing projects between departments and stakeholders. On the other hand, the best usage of an open standard, like IFC or BCF, occurs when the user is aware of its restrictions. It won’t be able to fully profit from utilizing IFC for BIM-related jobs and open BIM software until then.