The concept of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and its associated theoretical technologies are still evolving, and a unified definition has yet to be established. According to the authoritative definition provided by the US National BIM Standards Committee, BIM can be categorized into three levels: product (Building Information Model), process (Building Information Modeling), and system (Building Information Management).
The product layer of BIM refers to a structured database that digitally represents the physical and functional characteristics of a building project. It serves as a knowledge resource based on open standards and project information that can be shared across stakeholders.
The process layer involves the business procedures that create and utilize project data throughout the design, construction, and operation stages of a building’s lifecycle. This enables all project participants to access and use consistent information simultaneously across different technology platforms through data interoperability.
This classification into product, process, and system is grounded in control theory, information theory, and systems theory, making it a widely accepted framework. For example, the ISO9000 standard divides an enterprise’s production system into resources, products, and processes. Products are the outcomes of processes (including services, software, hardware, and materials), while processes are systems that convert inputs into outputs using resources.
In the first edition of the American BIM standard (NBIMS-V1), the system level was described as the Business Structure of Work and Communication, emphasizing BIM quality and efficiency. BIM was viewed as a shared knowledge resource and a process for sharing facility information, providing a reliable foundation for decision-making throughout the facility’s entire lifecycle, from construction to demolition.
While the initial NBIMS defined the system layer as a process, the process layer itself functions as a system—transforming inputs into outputs using resources. This overlap in BIM’s hierarchical structure led to considerable debate. It was not until 2015, with the third edition of NBIMS, that the US BIM Standards Committee clarified this by defining Building Information Management as the business organization and control process that uses digital prototype information to facilitate lifecycle information sharing.
The advantages of Building Information Management include centralized and visual communication, early comparison of multiple solutions, sustainability analysis, efficient design, multidisciplinary integration, construction site management, and accurate completion data documentation.
This division of product, process, and control treats BIM as an entire system, breaking it down into four components: input (resources), conversion (processes), output (products), and control. Since the American BIM standard focuses on software and data, human resources are excluded from this scope. This approach aligns with contemporary systems theory principles and corresponds directly with the three core elements—product, process, and control—found in the IFC standard, demonstrating robust theoretical vitality.
This article is sourced from the WeChat official account: excerpts from Huazhu Building Science Research Institute.
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