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NBIMS-US™ V4
TERMS & DEFINITIONS
Analyze Design
A BIM Use to examine and evaluate a built environment asset’s design to assess its functionality, and compliance with various criteria and requirements.
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Appointed Party
The entity that is contracted for and provides information concerning works, goods, or services.
[Source: ISO 19650-1:2018(en), modified – added ‘the entity that is contracted for and provides’]
[Also known as contractor, designer, consultant, architect, engineer, subcontractor, subconsultant]
Appointing Party
The entity that holds the contract and receives information concerning works, goods, or services.
[Source: ISO 19650-1:2018(en), modified – added ‘the entity that is contracted for and receives’]
[Also known as owner, client]
Appointment
An agreed instruction for the provision of information concerning works, goods or services.
[Source: ISO 19650-1:2018(en), modified – added the word ‘An’ at the beginning]
Note 1: This term is used whether or not there is a formal contract or agreement between the parties.
Appointment BIM Execution Plan
A plan that explains how the information management aspects of an appointment will be carried out by the delivery team.
[Source: ISO 19650-2:2018(en), 3.1.3.1, modified – revised to add ‘A’ as the first word and revise ‘the appointment’ to ‘an appointment’]
Attribute
A single unit of data that in a certain context is considered indivisible.
[Source: ISO/TS 21089:2018(en), 3.44, modified from term ‘data attribute’ to ‘attribute’]
Author Design
A BIM Use to develop a design using BIM authoring software with 3D and attribute information for a built environment asset leveraging an object library of parametric elements.
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Author Temporary Work
A BIM Use to generate the design of non-permanent elements in a model necessary to construct a project.
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
BIM Deliverable
Data and/or model information to be provided to a party in connection with a BIM Use.
[Source: NBIMS-US™ Version 3, modified – revised "a BIM - related service over the facility's life-cycle" to "BIM Use"]
[Also known as Data Deliverable or Model Deliverable]
BIM Execution Plan
A plan that explains how the information management aspects of a project will be carried out by the project team.
[Source: ISO 19650-2:2018(en), 3.1.3.1 – modified ‘delivery team’ to ‘project team’]
See Appointment BIM Execution Plan (ABEP) and Project BIM Execution Plan (PBEP).
BIM Execution Planning Procedure
A process that a team or party uses to develop a BEP.
BIM Object
A digital representation of a single asset element including geometries and associated attributes.
BIM Process Diagram
A graphical representation of a Building Information Management (BIM) process for a project.
[Source: BEP Module, NBIMS-US™, V4]
BIM Use
The purpose for applying BIM. BIM Use includes name, definition, and related terms.
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS- US, V4]
BIM Use Case
A specific methodology and outcome achieved when applying a BIM Use on a project(s) or within an organization(s). A BIM Uses Case includes a BIM Use name, followed by the method, followed by the outcome.
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS-US, V4]
BIM Use Process Diagram
A graphical representation of a Building Information Management (BIM) process for a specific BIM Use.
Building Information Management
Functions of controlling the acquisition, analysis, retention, retrieval, and distribution of built environment asset information all within an information processing system
[Source: ISO/IEC 20944-1:2013(en), modified term – added “building” to specify information about built environment assets, and modified the definition – added ‘built environment asset’ to the definition of Information Management to clarify the specific management of ‘building’ information.]
Note: Within the term, ‘building’ refers to the process of building a built environment asset, not a specific type of facility. BIM is a function that can be implemented across all types of built environment assets, including buildings, bridges, highways, tunnels, process plants, landscape, and other infrastructure and facility types.
Building Information Model
A shared digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a built environment asset.
[Source: NBIMS-US™ Version 3, modified – added the word ‘shared’ and added the words ‘and built asset’– see Note 2 and Note 3]
Note 1: NBIMS-US™ Version 3 also included “As such it serves as a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility, forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life cycle from inception onwards.”
Note 2: Added the word ‘shared’ to the definition to be more consistent with ISO/TS 12911:2012(en) definition. The ISO definition uses the term ‘built object’ instead of ‘facility’ and adds facility types including ‘buildings, bridges, roads, process plant’.
Note 3: Added the words ‘built environment assets’ to specify that a building information model can include representations of buildings, roads, bridges, plants, and other built assets.
Building Information Modeling
Generating and using a shared digital representation of a built environment asset to facilitate design, construction, and operation processes to form a reliable basis for decisions.
[Source: ISO 19650-1:2018(en), 3.3.14, modified – revised ‘Use’ to ‘Generating and using’]
Capture Conditions
A BIM Use to collect current information about the built environment to include in a model.
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Common Data Environment
An agreed source of information for any given project or asset, for collecting, managing and disseminating each information container through a managed process.
[Source: ISO 19650-2:2018(en), modified - added ‘An’ as the first word]
Note: A CDE workflow describes the processes to be used and a CDE solution can provide the technology to support those processes.
Compile Record Deliverables
A BIM Use to capture and document project and asset information for the purpose of communicating the work performed, progress made, and compliance with requirements at project completion.
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Component
The individual instances of the products and equipment defined in the Type data table.
[Source: COBie Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Construction Operations Building information exchange
An information exchange specification for the life-cycle capture and delivery of information needed by facility managers.
[Source: COBie Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Coordinate Design and Construction
A BIM Use to verify the overall design layout and spatial arrangement of systems by applying construction means and methods and additional spatial constraints (such as code requirements, maintenance access and clearances) to validate the constructability of the project.
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Data Field
A single field of digital information.
[Source: COBie Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Data Record
A line of related data in a table.
[Source: COBie Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Data Table
Table of digital information.
[Source: COBie Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Data Value
The data in a data field.
[Source: COBie Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Delivery Phase
Part of the lifecycle, during which an asset is conceived, designed, constructed, and commissioned.
[Source: ISO 19650-2:2018(en), modified - added ‘conceived’]
Delivery Team
The collection of entities who are contracted or appointed for works, goods, or services.
[Source: NBIMS-US™ V3, modified – added “or appointed” and the note]
Note: Delivery team includes all appointed parties for the planning, design, and construction of a project.
Delivery Team Member
The entity that is contracted for and provides information concerning works, goods, or services.
Element
A major component, assembly, or construction entity part which, in itself or in combination with others, fulfills a predominating function of a construction entity.
Establish Project Requirements
A BIM Use to capture and monitor key project aspects and scope such as area, spatial, functional, asset, deliverable, code, end user, organizational, and other stakeholder requirements using a data-centric approach.
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
External Reference
Link to information outside the data set, with direct relevance to the specific information.
Facility
A physical structure(s) or installation(s), including related site works, serving one or more main purposes.
[Source: ISO/TS 12911:2012(en), 3.9, modified - added ‘A’ as the first word and ‘(s)’ to structure and installation]
Note: Examples of physical structure(s) or installation(s) can include buildings, bridges, highways, tunnels, process plants, and other infrastructure and facility types.
Federated Model
A system of models consisting of linked but distinct components derived from multiple data sources that do not lose their identity or integrity.
Floor
The vertical levels of a facility or, in the case of infrastructure projects, the geographic areas such as the site surrounding a facility/structure, a rail or highway corridor, etc.
Generate Estimates
A BIM Use to extract project, site, and asset quantity information from model(s) to support the development of project and/or lifecycle cost estimates.
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Generate Fabrication Detail
A BIM Use to generate the manufacturing and/or construction details in a model necessary to fabricate elements of a project.
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Global Unique Identifier
A 128-bit text string in hexadecimal format used to represent identification of a digital element.
Guidelines
A document that provides guidance to the use of the standard module.
IFCXML
An XML schema for IFC Step files based on STEP XML transformation rules.
Industry Foundation Classes
An ISO standard (ISO 16739-1:2018) digital description of the built asset industry.
Information
Reinterpretable representation of data in a formalized manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing.
[Source: ISO 19650-2:2018(en)]
Note: Information can be processed by human or automatic means.
Information Accuracy
A specification or method to define how close the geometric asset and spatial information is to an actual or planned requirement.
Information Delivery Specification
A document that defines the exchange requirements of digital models, which includes how the objects in the model, their properties, their classifications, their values, and their units should be exchanged.
Information Detail
A specification or method to define the extent and granularity of the required geometric asset and spatial information.
Information Exchange
Act of satisfying an information requirement or part thereof through storing, accessing, transferring, and archiving information.
[Source: ISO 19650-1:2018(en), 3.3.7 – added ‘through storing, accessing, transferring, and archiving information’]
Information Management
Concepts and principles used across the built environment sector to support the management and production of information during the life cycle of built assets.
[Source: ISO 19650-1:2018(en)]
Information Requirement
A specification for what, when, how and for whom information is to be produced.
[Source: ISO 19650-2:2018(en), modified - added ‘A’ as the first word]
Instance
Occurrence of an entity.
JavaScript Object Notation
Open standard data file and exchange format based on attribute-value pairs and arrays in human-readable text.
Layout Construction
A BIM Use to establish and mark features of work on a construction project using real-time positioning supported by model data.
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Lead Appointed Parties
The lead entity that is contracted for and provides information concerning works, goods, or services.
[Source: ISO 19650-1:2018(en), added ‘the lead entity that is contracted for and provides’]
[Also known as general contractor, prime contractor, designer, architect, engineer]
Note: this is used to connote the entity that holds a primary contract with the owner for works, goods, or services. This entity typically then holds subcontracts with other appointed parties (also known as subconsultants or subcontractors).
Level of Accuracy
A specification defining the level of geometric accuracy of the data source.
Level of Development
A specification defining the reliable geometric information used to represent model elements.
Level of Information
A specification defining the reliable information that should be connected to model elements.
Manage Assets
A BIM Use to track asset performance and ensure proper maintenance to improve longevity and optimize functionality.
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Manage Space
A BIM Use to allocate, organize, and optimize the use of the physical space of a built environment asset.
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Metadata
Data that defines and describes other data.
[Source: ISO 1087-1:2000, 3.2.18]
Model Element
A portion of the model(s) representing a component, assembly, or construction entity (part) which, in itself or in combination with other parts, fulfills a predominating function of a construction entity.
Model Element Author
The party responsible for creating or updating any given model element.
Model View Definition
A subset of the overall IFC schema used to describe a data exchange for a specific use or workflow. The COBie standard is considered a Model View Definition (MVD) of Industry Foundation Classes (IFC).
Monitor Performance
A BIM Use to assess and evaluate the performance of a built environment asset to ensure it operates efficiently, effectively, and with performance standards.
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Object Types
Common characteristics shared by multiple object occurrences.
Owner
The entity that holds the contract and receives information concerning works, goods, or services.
[Source: ISO 19650-1:2018(en) defined as appointing party, added ‘the entity that is contracted for and receives’]
[Also known as appointing party*]
*Note: NBIMS-US™ recognizes the term appointing party, but uses the term owner in the standard documents as it is recognized as the common term used in the US market. These should be considered interchangeable.
Owner Project Requirements
A written document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria required by the appointing party, and the requirements upon which works, goods, and services are based.
Note: Appointing Party's Project Requirements (APPR) is an alternative term.
Process
A sequence or flow of activities in an organization with the objective of carrying out work.
[Source: Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) Version 2.0.2, Object Management Group, December 2013]
Produce Construction Documentation
A BIM Use to generate documentation to communicate design intent and construction details which may include plans, elevations, sections, renderings, data schedules, 3D diagrams, or specifications.
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Project BIM Execution Plan
A collaborative plan that explains how the information management aspects of the project delivery process will be carried out by the delivery team.
Note: Adapted from ISO 19650 definition for BIM Execution Plan to describe the collaborative plan at a project level, instead of an appointment level plan.
Project Goals
Desired and measurable outcomes to achieve project success that add value to the project.
Project Milestone
A discrete point in time associated with a project outcome.
Project Team
Owner [Appointing Party] and all delivery teams.
[Source: ISO 19650-1:2018(en), added “owner”]
Proposal BEP
A plan that explains how the information management aspects of an appointment are proposed to be carried out by the delivery team.
Quality Management
A set of processes that involve Quality Planning, Quality Assurance, and Quality Control as applied to the management of information.
Reference Coordinate System
Underlying global rectangular Cartesian coordinate system to which all geometry refers.
[Source: ISO 13584-101:2003, 3.28]
Request for Proposal BEP
A plan developed by an owner that explains the minimum requirements for the information management aspects of a scope of work for a project.
Review Design
A BIM Use to validate the design intent and constructability of the project based on meeting project requirements and stakeholder expectations, and regulatory compliance (such as validating design quality, 3D model quality, and data quality).
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Sequence Construction
A BIM Use to represent and communicate the timing and/or sequencing of construction activities graphically using a model.
[Source: BIM Use Definitions Module, NBIMS-US™ V4]
Space
The breakdown of Levels into rooms/areas, and which have common functional purpose to a user.
Visualize Construction Sequencing
Use a model to graphically represent and communicate the timing and/or sequencing of construction activities.
