Interoperability

Interoperability refers to; ‘A characteristic of a product or system, whose interfaces are completely understood, to work with other products or systems, at present or in the future.’ Ref The Gemini Principles. Centre for Digital Built Britain. December 2018.

It can also be defined as; ‘The ability of computer systems or software to exchange and make use of information.’ Ref ICE, Interoperability: The ability of computer systems or software to exchange and make use of information.

The report of the BIM Interoperability Expert Group (BIEG), published in March 2020 offered a range of altenrative definitions of interoperability.

BIEG itself adopted the following definition in terms of systems that are employed to implement the UK BIM Framework: 'the ability of two or more systems to exchange information and to use the information that has been exchanged.’

NB DfMA Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work, Mainstreaming Design for Manufacture and Assembly in Construction, 2nd Edition, published by the RIBA in 2021, defines interoperability as: ‘A characteristic of a product, component, assembly or system, whose interfaces are completely understood, which allows it to work with other products, components, assemblies or systems, at present or in the future, in either implementation or access, without any restrictions.’

See also: An interoperable construction industry.

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