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NBIMS-US v4 Advances BIM Standards for AECO Sector

September 2023

LeapThought, a leading provider of Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) solutions for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) industry, applauds the pre-release of the National BIM Standard–United States (NBIMS-US) v4. As a member of the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Building Information Management (BIM) Council and buildingSmart International (bSI), LeapThought is firmly committed to supporting the development and adoption of open standards that improve communication, collaboration, and efficiency across the entire building lifecycle.

NBIMS-US v4 represents a significant advancement in the standardization of BIM processes and information within the U.S. construction industry. The soft launch of this latest version provides updated guidance and recommendations on data exchange, interoperability, and best practices for BIM project delivery.

Here are some key highlights of NBIMS-US v4:

  • Enhanced focus on open standards: The standard continues to emphasize the importance of using open, non-proprietary formats for BIM data exchange. This fosters greater collaboration and interoperability between different software applications and stakeholders.
  • Improved clarity and usability: NBIMS-US v4 has been restructured and streamlined to improve its clarity and ease of use. This makes it a valuable resource to support owners and project teams in their BIM planning and implementation process. 
  • Expanded scope: The standard now covers a wider range of project types, including renovations, infrastructure projects, and facilities management. This ensures its broad applicability across the AECO industry.

LeapThought firmly believes that open standards like NBIMS-US are critical for driving innovation and progress within the AECO industry. By adopting these standards, organizations can achieve several key benefits, including improved project efficiency and reduced costs through better collaboration and information exchange, mitigated risks associated with data silos and ensured project data accessibility throughout the entire lifecycle, and fostering a more innovative and competitive AECO ecosystem where diverse software solutions and workflows seamlessly integrate.

Aligning with global standards

The NBIMS-US standards are firmly grounded in the principles and frameworks established by leading international organizations like buildingSmart International and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). NBIMS-US v4 draws on relevant ISO standards such as ISO-19650, ensuring international alignment and promoting interoperability across borders.

Additionally, NBIMS-US v4 complements these global standards by incorporating specific U.S. requirements and best practices, providing a comprehensive and regionally relevant framework.

Source: NIBS, U.S. BIM Standards and Guidelines Framework Showing International, National, and Program Level Standards and Requirements

Source: NIBS, U.S. BIM Standards and Guidelines Framework
 

Commitment to integrated digital delivery

LeapThought is dedicated to supporting the implementation of NBIMS-US v4 through its industry-leading FulcrumHQ platform, a powerful AI-enabled solution designed to facilitate IDD across the AECO project lifecycle. IDD focuses on breaking down silos and fostering collaboration throughout the project, aligning stakeholders and workflows for improved efficiency and outcomes.

Through FulcrumHQ, LeapThought empowers project teams to:

  • Break down information silos and foster seamless collaboration between all stakeholders.
  • Leverage a centralized platform for managing project data throughout the entire building lifecycle.
  • Optimize workflows and decision-making through real-time data insights and analytics.
  • Use advanced computational BIM and AI for comprehensive model comparison and checking, ensuring design and construction alignment and reducing costly errors.

LeapThought encourages AECO professionals to explore NBIMS-US v4 and leverage its guidance to enhance their BIM practices and, ultimately, achieve better project outcomes.

Discover more about LeapThought's dedication to embracing open standards and driving innovation within the AECO industry.

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