IDS standards, i.e. verifiable requirements

The increasing digitalisation of the construction sector and the growing use of BIM methodology are driving the need to clearly define the information requirements of models. The Information Delivery Specification (IDS) standard, developed by buildingSMART International under the openBIM concept, is the answer to this challenge.

IDS provides a standardised way of recording the information requirements of a BIM model. It makes it possible to formally specify which properties (parameters), object classes and relationships should be provided at a specific stage of the investment process.

The openBIM approach, promoted by buildingSMART, is based on the use of open standards and neutral data formats, which provides a number of benefits to participants in the construction process, including:

Investors

a. Provide greater flexibility in the choice of tools

b. Optimising costs by minimising errors

c. Improving cost planning and scheduling

Designers

a. Facilitated access to a variety of software to support work

b. Ability to work with a wider range of partners (through standardisation of processes, flows and procedures)

Manufacturers of building materials

a. Facilitated planning and supply management throughout the investment process

b. Widening access to the contractor market

Software manufacturers

a. Standardisation of processes to increase the software audience

b. Expand opportunities for innovation

General contractors

a. Opportunity to reduce costs through a wider choice of software, including lower hardware requirements

IDS acts as a „control layer” in this ecosystem to verify that the model complies with developer requirements, organisational standards or project regulations.

The use of IDS translates directly into improved data quality and consistency in BIM models. Automating the inspection process reduces time-consuming manual verification and minimises the risk of interpretation errors. As a result, it is possible to increase the efficiency of the acceptance processes and better manage information in the subsequent stages of the facility life cycle - from design through to implementation and operation.

In practice, the IDS standard is used in, among other things:

- defining information requirements for the models transferred between participants in the investment process,

- validation of the completeness and correctness of data for selected classes of elements (e.g. joinery, structural elements, installations),

- checking that the models comply with the client's requirements (EIR) or the organisation's BIM standards,

- automatic checking of technical attributes, classifications and material properties.

In the context of increasing data quality requirements and the integration of digital processes in the construction industry, IDS is an important part of the development of the openBIM approach. Its implementation allows for a clearer definition of requirements, more effective model control and an increased level of confidence in the information used in the investment process.

Written by Bartłomiej Zwoliński