Your Ultimate BIM Glossary

Asset Information Model

The information model maintained during the operational phase of an asset, containing all information needed for asset management. Created at project handover from the PIM.

Appointing Party

The organization or individual that appoints other parties to carry out work. In ISO 19650, the client or employer who sets the information requirements.

BIM Collaboration Format

An open standard by buildingSMART for communicating model-based issues between BIM software. BCF 3.0 enables issue tracking with 3D viewpoints, comments, and status.

BIM Execution Plan

A document that sets out how the information management aspects of the appointment will be carried out. Contains 16 sections covering roles, standards, software, clash detection, and delivery plans.

Building Information Modeling

A process involving the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of buildings and infrastructure.

Common Data Environment

An agreed source of information for any given project or asset, used to collect, manage, and disseminate information through a managed process. ISO 19650 defines 4 states: WIP, Shared, Published, Archived.

CDE Mode Template

A configurable folder structure template for organizing documents in a CDE. CDE 19650 Cloud supports Classic (ISO 19650 zones), Tendering, Execution, and custom modes.

Clash Detection / Coordination

The process of identifying spatial conflicts between building elements from different disciplines (e.g., structural vs. MEP) before construction begins.

Construction Operations Building Information Exchange

A data standard for the handover of building information from design and construction to facility management. COBie 2.4 uses spreadsheet format with standard sheets.

Employer's Information Requirements

The information requirements set by the appointing party that define what information is needed, when, and how it should be delivered.

Industry Foundation Classes

An open, international standard for BIM data exchange. IFC 2x3 and IFC4 are the most widely used versions, enabling software interoperability.

Lead Appointing Party

The primary client or employer in an ISO 19650 project. Responsible for setting information requirements and accepting final deliverables.

Lead Appointed Party

The lead consultant or BIM coordinator (Information Manager). Responsible for coordinating information delivery across all task teams.

Level of Information Need

The framework that specifies the extent and granularity of information to be exchanged. Replaces the older LOD/LOI concepts as per ISO 19650.

Master Information Delivery Plan

A consolidated plan that aggregates all Task Information Delivery Plans (TIDPs) into a single overview of all information deliverables.

Navisworks Document

File format from Autodesk Navisworks used for 3D coordination, clash detection, and 4D scheduling simulation.

Organizational Information Requirements

Information requirements related to or derived from the organizational objectives of the appointing party.

Open CDE API Standard

A portfolio of standardized APIs by buildingSMART International enabling interoperability between CDE platforms. Includes Foundation API, Documents API, and BCF API.

Project Information Requirements

Information requirements in relation to the delivery of an asset, linking specific information needs to project decision points.

Project Information Model

The information model developed during the delivery phase. At handover, relevant parts become the Asset Information Model (AIM).

Revit File Format

Native file format of Autodesk Revit, the most widely used BIM authoring software. Contains the full parametric model.

Workflow Sub-State

A configurable intermediate state within a main ISO 19650 workflow state. For example, WIP can have sub-states like Draft, Internal Review, and Corrections Required.

Task Information Delivery Plan

A plan prepared by each task team detailing what information they will deliver, when, and in what format.

Task Team

An appointed party responsible for producing specific information deliverables (documents, models) for the project.

Document Transmittal

A formal record of documents sent between parties, tracking what was sent, to whom, for what purpose, and acknowledgement status.

Work in Progress

The first of four ISO 19650 CDE states. Documents in WIP are being actively developed and are not yet ready for sharing with other teams.

ISO 19650 Workflow State

One of four document states in ISO 19650: WIP (Work in Progress), Shared (under review), Published (approved), Archived (superseded).