Chapter 2.2 – International standardization and standardization

Today, there are over 6500 different languages. The exchange of information within the same language(closed) is easier than between different languages(open). In order to exchange information between the individual languages without major loss of information, many countries have agreed on a standard – e.g. the language “English”. The openBIM method requires a manufacturer-neutral exchange of data. The implementation of the openBIM method therefore also requires clear and open standards so that there is as little loss of information as possible during exchange. As an independent association, bSI develops its own standards (e.g. IFC).

The first part of the standard describes terms and principles for information management. In the appointment process, there is the appointing party and the appointed party. The former is usually the client or owner and receives the information from the lead information provider. The information provider is usually a delivery team, which can consist of the lead information provider and participating information providers – it can consist of one person up to complex, multi-layered task teams.

Clearly defining the roles, responsibilities, powers and scope of each task is important for effective information management. Responsibilities are regulated by means of aresponsibility matrix. According to ISO 19650-1, a responsibility matrix is a matrix that describes the proportionate responsibility of the various functions (roles) in the completion of tasks or information provision services. It therefore defines the information management functions (role and tasks), the project or asset information management tasks and the information provision services.

In addition, this standard defines the perspectives of information management. From the perspective of the asset owner , the purpose of the asset/project must be defined and maintained. Strategic decisions must be made. This includes a business plan, a strategic asset portfolio analysis, a life cycle cost analysis, etc. The true requirements of the users of the asset must be identified and ensured (structural solution offers required quality and capacity). The project description, an asset information model, a project information model, product documentation, etc. serve this purpose. The planning and organization of work, the mobilization of resources and the coordination and control of project/asset development are important for project implementation or asset management . This is supported by plans (e.g. BIM execution plans), organizational charts, function definitions, etc. The social and societal perspectiveincludes ensuring that the interests of the community are taken into account in the life cycle. This includes political guidelines, area plans, building permits, concessions, etc.

ISO 19650 is divided into two phases, each of which has a model. Thedelivery phase concerns the planning, construction and commissioning phase and uses the project information model (PIM). Theoperational phase concerns the period in which the building is used, operated and maintained and uses the asset information model (AIM). The asset information model always corresponds to the current status of the structure (i.e. it is constantly updated). Bothinformation models contain both geometric and alphanumeric information as well as additional information on the performance requirements during planning, the construction method and the operation of the structure (e.g. maintenance costs, maintenance dates) etc. by means of project documentation. According to ISO 19650, these information models therefore contain structured information containers (e.g. geometric models, schedules, databases) and unstructured information containers (e.g. documentation, video clips, audio recordings). The models have differentinformation requirements, which influence each other (see Fig. 2.3). The information requirements define what information should be created for what, when, how and for whom.

The Organizational Information Requirements (OIR) define the information requirements of the client in relation to its organizational objectives within the company. These arise, for example, from strategic business activities, strategic asset management, portfolio planning, regulatory tasks, etc. The OIR provide input for both the Asset Information Requirements (AIR) and the Project Information Requirements (PIR). The AIR take into account the business, commercial and technical aspects of information creation in relation to the operation of the asset. The PIRs relate to the requirements in the deployment phase of an asset. They are required in order to respond to the overarching strategic objectives in relation to a specific project. The client’s overarching project objectives therefore provide the basis for the project-related BIM objectives. Both the AIR and the PIR provide input for the Exchange Information Requirements (EIR). These relate to the business, commercial and technical aspects of information creation. The AIR and the PIR therefore determine the content, structure and methodology of the AIM and the PIM.

This section is intended to support information purchasers (e.g. clients) in determining their information requirements during the planning and construction phase of an asset.

This part is dedicated to the explicit process and criteria of information exchange to ensure the benefits that result from collaborative and interoperable BIM and the choice of open schemas and data formats and conventions.

In this section, the new terms information provider, information recipient and information evaluator are introduced. These terms are particularly important in relation to a CDE and changing the status of information. An information assessor must check information before approving this information to the status “Shared” or later to the status “Published”. In doing so, they check the information for compliance with the CDE requirements for naming (and metadata), conformity, continuity, communication (no degradation or loss through transmission), consistency and completeness.