Interoperability is defined as the ability of a system or product to work seamlessly with other systems or products. This collaboration assumes that there are no restrictions on access or implementation. Often, examples of interoperability are based on open standards that serve as a middle ground to enable different solutions to work together.
The definition of interoperability remains largely the same in the context of Building Information Modeling (BIM) but with some slight differences. In the BIM context, interoperability means that different software solutions can share data using common Data exchange formats and can both read and write data. A typical example of BIM interoperability is the ability to exchange data between different industry-specific software solutions without losing information. This provides companies with the flexibility to use different software solutions for the same tasks without relying on a single solution. The complexity of construction projects where multiple stakeholders work together underscores the need for interoperability in the BIM field. Since BIM is still relatively new and uses many proprietary standards, the need for open standards is great to maximize collaborative potential.
While interoperability in BIM can be challenging, it offers significant benefits, including:
-Improved project management through real-time analytics and faster decision making.
-Better collaboration through seamless data exchange.
-More efficient cost management through early conflict detection and optimized resource planning.
Collaboration also plays an important role in the BIM Maturity Level as it increases from level 1, with no interoperability at all, to level 3, with high interoperability.
Another crucial aspect is the bidirectional exchange of information. Construction processes require the collaboration of many parties, and a common language for data exchange is essential. IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) serves as a standard for BIM data exchange and promotes it. In addition to IFC, IDM (Information Delivery Manual), MVD (Model View Definition) and IFD (International Framework for Dictionaries) are also important technologies that help with this.