The BuildingSMART Alliance is a specialized committee within the American Academy of Building Sciences, dedicated to advancing information resources and technology in the construction industry.
Established in 2007, the Alliance originated from the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI). By the end of 2008, key founding members representing American CAD and BIM standards officially joined the organization.
Studies show that inefficiencies and waste in design and construction can reach up to 57%, compared to just 26% in manufacturing. The BuildingSMART Alliance aims to close this gap by improving how building information is submitted, utilized, and maintained. Their objective was to reduce waste and inefficiencies by an additional 31% beyond manufacturing levels by 2020.
Considering that approximately $1.2 trillion was invested in U.S. design and construction in 2008, this inefficiency translates to nearly $400 billion wasted annually. The Alliance’s ongoing mission is to seize this opportunity by implementing sustainable methods that boost productivity and foster environmentally friendly workplaces.
Vision: To create a global environment where all stakeholders can easily and transparently share, apply, and maintain facility and infrastructure information. This collaborative platform aims to enhance the quality and cost-effectiveness of design, construction, operation, and maintenance processes. Acting as an umbrella platform, it enables participants to efficiently exchange and manage building and infrastructure data, improving both quality and economic outcomes.
Mission: To advance every stage of the facility and infrastructure lifecycle by promoting collaboration, technology integration, standardized practices, and open standards. The goal is to continuously improve all aspects of construction projects through these efforts.
Currently, the BuildingSMART Alliance offers several key products, including:
- IFC Standards (Industry Foundation Classes, IFC2x4beta 3 Version)
- National Building Information Modeling Standard, Version 1 Part 1
- United States National CAD Standard, Version 4.0
- BIM Magazine (JBIM – Journal of Building Information Modeling)
It is important to distinguish the BuildingSMART Alliance from BuildingSMART International. BuildingSMART International is a global membership organization focused on developing, applying, and promoting IFC standards worldwide. Its members include owners, architects, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, facility managers, and software vendors, with regional branches across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Both organizations provide products and services but serve distinct roles:
BuildingSMART International coordinates experts and academics worldwide to collaboratively develop IFC standards and oversees their global implementation and promotion.
BuildingSMART Alliance (bSA) focuses on the adoption and promotion of BIM technologies and IFC standards within North America, primarily managing the National BIM Standards (NBIMS) and the National CAD Standards (NCS).
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