Building information modeling definition

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BIM Level 2 was actually made a mandatory requirement in April of 2016 on all publicly tendered projects in the UK. France followed shortly after with their own mandate in 2017.

At level 2, all team members use 3D CAD models but sometimes not in the same model. It bridges the gap between design intent and operational performance, allowing organizations to bring BIM data into everyday facility management.

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By integrating seamlessly with existing BIM models, Facilio creates a unified environment where:

  • Asset data and maintenance workflows are connected in real time.
  • Building performance can be monitored, analyzed, and optimized continuously.
  • Insights from operations feed back into better design, sustainability, and planning decisions.

Unlike traditional CMMS systems that operate in isolation, Facilio turns BIM into a living source of truth — one that evolves as your buildings do.

Level 6 BIM ensures accurate predictions of energy consumption requirements and empowers stakeholders to build structures that are energy efficient and sustainable. OpenBIM standards like IFC 4x3 now support infrastructure projects (bridges, tunnels, rail), enabling seamless data exchange across software platforms and preserving project data throughout the asset lifecycle.

BIM is short for Building Information Modeling, and it represents a data-rich 3D representation of a physical asset.

Undoubtedly, the future of construction will be even more highly collaborative and digital. For example, if an architect adds a new air conditioning unit, the system automatically shows how it affects the electrical layout and cost.

When BIM connects with a CAFM system(Computer-Aided Facility Management), it becomes even more powerful.

This model acts as a shared source of truth for architects, engineers, contractors, and facility teams, helping everyone work from the same data.

Here’s how it works across the building lifecycle:

1.

Level 6 BIM information is useful for calculating the energy consumption of a building before it's built.

It’s the most practical, scalable, and dependable way to extend BIM beyond construction, ensuring every facility operates at peak performance throughout its lifecycle.

And the industry agrees. Can BIM be integrated with FM systems like CMMS and CAFM?

Yes. Facility teams can analyze asset performance, predict failures before they occur, and schedule service at the best possible time, keeping downtime and disruptions to a minimum.

3.

BIM integrates seamlessly with CAFM (Computer-Aided Facility Management) and CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems). If you’re using 2D CAD and working with drawings and/or digital prints, you can safely say you’re at level 0. However, the way in which stakeholders exchange information differentiates it from other levels. This connection transfers building and asset data into FM systems, supporting preventive maintenance, work orders, and asset lifecycle management.

4.

They bridge the gap by:

  • Converting 2D drawings to BIM models
  • Providing BIM coordination services for contractors who lack in-house capabilities
  • Offering trained BIM personnel on a project basis
  • Managing the CDE and coordination process

For firms not ready to fully commit to BIM internally, outsourcing to specialists provides BIM benefits without the overhead of permanent staff and software licenses.

Level of Development (LOD) defines how much detail a BIM model contains at each project stage.

Below are brief descriptions of the first three levels and an explanation of what criteria is involved at each stage.

Level 0 BIM: paper-based drawings + zero collaboration

Level 0 BIM refers to not operating collaboratively at all. As BIM becomes increasingly more sophisticated, 4D, 5D, and even 6D BIM will start to play a part in the process.

More and more, stakeholders are walking through BIM models using augmented and virtual reality.

building information modeling definition

When working at this level of BIM, project owners can track and determine what costs will be incurred during the length of the project.