){kind=logo}
gb-en 
How openBIM standards shape digital construction
buildingSMART International help drive the digital transformation of the built asset industry by enabling efficient collaboration and interoperable digital workflows. As digital delivery becomes standard across markets, the need to exchange structured, non‑proprietary information has become essential.
Persistent issues like fragmented data and vendor lock‑in limit the value of BIM. buildingSMART addresses these challenges by developing open, international standards, most notably the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and frameworks such as the Information Delivery Specification (IDS), that support consistent, machine‑readable information exchange across all phases of the project and asset lifecycle.
This article outlines what buildingSMART is, how its Standards, Compliance, and User programs work together, and why these openBIM foundations matter for real projects. It also highlights training opportunities, initiatives like InfraBIM Open, and how organisations such as ARKANCE support broader industry adoption.
What is buildingSMART and why it exists
buildingSMART is a vendor-neutral, international, not-for-profit organisation that develops and maintains open standards for the built environment. Founded in 1994 as the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI) by a consortium of industry stakeholders including Autodesk, it was created to address the growing challenge of exchanging information between different AEC software platforms.
){kind=logo}
IFC as the backbone of openBIM exchange
Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) is buildingSMART’s flagship standard and the technical backbone of openBIM workflows. It defines a structured, vendor-neutral data schema that enables BIM information to flow consistently accross software platforms and among project stakeholders.
By providing a shared digital language, IFC supports collaboration across:
Design coordination and multidisciplinary data exchange
Construction planning and delivery
Operation, maintenance, and asset management
A key milestone in adoption was the recognition of IFC4 as EN ISO 16739, establishing it as a European standard. This recognition has practical implications for public procurement and regulatory compliance, where consistent and auditable data exchange is increasingly required.
For organisations operating across borders, IFC provides a common baseline that reduces information loss and improves data consistency throughout the asset lifecycle.
IDS and defining information requirements in BIM
While IFC defines the structure of information that a BIM model can contain, Information Delivery Specification (IDS) defines the information that must be provided for a specific use case. It enables project teams to define required objects, properties, classifications, and constraints in a structured, machine-readable format.
In practice, IDS enables:
Clear and unambiguous information requirements
Automated validation of BIM deliverables
Reduced reliance on manual model checking
A simple way to understand the relationship between IFC and IDS is:
IFC defines the structure of BIM data
IDS defines the required content for a specific exchange
Used together, IFC and IDS enable reliable, repeatable, and automatable information exchange. This shifts quality control from subjective interpretation to measurable compliance with shared and verifiable requirements.
buildingSMART positions IDS alongside IFC, BCF, and other standards, recognising that structured data alone is not sufficient without clearly defined expectations.
)
Professional training, infrastructure focus, and InfraBIM Open 2026
In addition to standards development, buildingSMART supports professional training through the buildingSMART Professional programme. This initiative provides recognised certification through accredited training providers, supporting consistent skills development across the industry.
In several EMEA countries, ARKANCE is a certified buildingSMART training partner. These programmes help professionals developing validated competence in openBIM principles, workflows, and standards, benefiting both individuals and organisations.
)
buildingSMART also supports industry initiatives such as InfraBIM Open, an international openBIM conference series dedicated to infrastructure and civil engineering. InfraBIM Open reflects the industry’s shift towards managing complex asset networks such as roads, rail, bridges, and utilities using open standards.
This year, InfraBIM Open 2026 will take place in Paris from 8 to 10 June 2026. ARKANCE is a sponsor of the Paris event, supporting the continued development and adoption of openBIM principles in infrastructure projects.
Turning openBIM standards into operational advantage
buildingSMART provides the foundation for open, interoperable BIM through standards such as IFC and IDS. Together, these standards reduce vendor dependency, improve data quality, and enable automation across the entire asset lifecycle.
As regulatory requirements and digital expectations continue to increase, openBIM standards offer a stable, future-oriented framework for collaboration, compliance, and long-term asset value. The real benefit lies not only in standardisation, but in the ability to trust, validate, and reuse digital information over time.
Through professional training, community engagement, and active participation in standards-driven initiatives, organisations such as ARKANCE help project teams, asset owners, and public authorities apply buildingSMART principles in practical, operational contexts. By supporting skills development, shared understanding, and consistent implementation, this contribution enables stakeholders to move beyond compliance and realise lasting value from trusted, reusable digital information.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why do buildingSMART standards matter?
They enable long-term, interoperable use of BIM data across software platforms and project phases. Open standards protect against vendor lock-in, improve data quality and support automated validation, particularly when IFC and IDS are used together.
What is the difference between BIM and openBIM?
BIM refers to the process of creating and managing digital representations of built assets. openBIM is an approach based on open, vendor-neutral standards to ensure interoperability, transparency, and long-term accessibility of BIM data across tools and organisations.
How do IFC and IDS work together in practice?
IFC defines the structure and schema of BIM data, while IDS specifies the information that must be delivered for a given use case. Used together, they enable clear information requirements and automated validation of BIM deliverables against agreed expectations.
Who benefits most from adopting buildingSMART standards?
Architects and contractors benefit from improved collaboration and data exchange, while asset owners and operators often see the greatest long-term value. Open standards ensure that asset information remains usable, transferable, and reliable throughout the operational lifecycle.
Related Resources
)
BIM Services & Consulting
Transform how you design, build and operate, powered by ARKANCE’s proven BIM expertise.
)
Autodesk Construction Cloud
Deliver coordinated, open BIM construction workflows in a secure, cloud-based CDE.
)
ARKANCE Newsflash
Monthly insights for AEC & Manufacturing professionals to stay ahead of industry trends.
Turn BIM standards into operational value
ARKANCE experts can help you transform your BIM data into trusted, reusable information to deliver long-term value.