Open BIM

Open BIM has been defined as '… a universal approach to the collaborative design, realization and operation of buildings based on open standards and workflows' (ref BuildingSMART, Technical vision).

It allows project team members to participate in building information modelling (BIM) regardless of the software tools they use. It promotes a transparent and collaborative open workflow, creates a common language for widely referenced processes, and provides enduring project data for use throughout the asset life-cycle.

Open BIM allows building information modelling to focus on workflow compatibility rather than the data compatibility, and means that project team members can be selected based on their capability rather than their use of a particular brand of software. As a result, team members can use the software that best suits their needs, and are better able to retain control over their own design data while still being able to collaborate with others. It also means that smaller software vendors are better able to compete with larger vendors.

The Open BIM movement (or Open BIM Program) was launched by software vendors Tekla and GRAPHISOFT to promote open collaborative workflows. This is achieved through the use of Open BIM branding supported by definitions, requirements and best practices. The Open BIM™ logo certifies that a software solution, design, practice or project meets the requirements of open collaboration.

The Open BIM Network is an open and non-product specific UK-based group initiated by buildingSMART UK&I to coordinate the promotion of Open BIM in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. In June 2013 the OPEN BIM Network and buildingSMART UK&I announced that they were merging operations.