BIM Maturity Levels

Learning Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to explain the
BIM Maturity Levels.

Due to lack of definition, the term BIM has many

different meanings and terms such as ‘BIM Level 2’
differ between nations and organisations.
For Example some when referring to BIM will think of it
purely from a software perspective; others may
consider it only consists of 3D models; while others
may think of it as a process.
In addition, as we’ve previously discussed:
BIM can stand for 3 terms:
– Building Information Model
 – Building Information Modelling
– Building Information Management
And further complicate the issue.
Due to this BIM has become a bucket term.

In order for the UK government to define a

requirement for BIM they first needed to define which
BIM they were referring to. Shown above is onf of the
most famous images in BIM, the Bew-Richards
maturity diagram. While being a UK document, it is
used by many nations to understand the BIM maturity.
The ramp indicates we are on a journey, moving
forwards to understand BIM. The ramp indicates we
are on a journey moving forward from an electrified
drawing board to the delivery of integrated life cycle
managed data.
As we progress through the ramp ours skills and
requirements increase. As part of this process we are
yet to define what level 3 is, but what is known it is
presently unachievable, taking into account existing
procurements, software capability, entry knowledge
and current legal and contractual requirements.

The red line identifies the UK mandate meaning that by

2016 work done for central government within the UK
is required to do everything on the left-hand side of
that line. They are required to have multi-discipline
models known as federated models as well as a
common data environment to coordinate the digital
information.

BIM Maturity (Australia)

However, it is not the only maturity diagram currently
available.
Shown here is the BIM maturity diagram for Australia.
As you can see there are some significant differences
between this and the UK.
For example; the use of a federated model is outlined
as a key part of UK strategy under level 2. However,
the same process can be identified under 3A within the
Australian maturity diagram. Meaning that those who
work in Australia may be achieving level 3 while in the
UK this would only be considered a level 2. Having an
inconsistency in these requirements will only result in
ambiguity across the industry.
Having initially stated that BIM is about a “Single
source of the Truth” we then have multiple definitions
of what the BIM Maturity levels mean.
However, as eluded to earlier, these requirements are
not comparable.
As you can see from the Australian requirements a
server based multi discipline model is defined as level 3
Conversely, IFC (open data) is an Australian
requirement for level 2, which is not required in the UK
model until level 3.Having inconsistent maturity only
results in ambiguity among the levels off BIM.

Confusion is made worse by buildingSMART showing a

variation on the maturity diagram on their website.
Having a number of ‘standards’ on BIM maturity means
that there is no recognised single ‘standard’.

Therefore there is a need to agree on a ‘standard’ set

of maturity levels. Which should be in the form of the
original maturity diagram used to develop in the UK
standards, and forming the basis of the developing ISO
standards.

Most Professionals are currently doing No BIM, where

uncoordinated data and paper based systems are used.
We refer to this as Level 0.
Level 0
Unmanaged CAD probably 2D, with paper (or
electronic Paper) as the most likely data exchange
mechanism.
Level 1
Managed CAD in 2D or 3D format using a common
data environment, and possibly some standard data
structures and formats.
If an organisation uses a common data environment, as
well as standard data structures such as naming
conventions, agree units, annotation, and spatial co-
ordination.
We would refer to this as Level 1.

Level 2
Managed CAD in a 3D environment held in separate
discipline “BIM” tools with attached data. The
approach may utilise 4D Programme data and 5D cost
elements.
If an organisation also federates (i.e. splits up) their
models and kept a central library of BIM objects for
use.
We would refer to this as Level 2
The whole purpose of Level 2 is that it can be delivered
with existing procurement methodology, legal,
technology and industry skill based without changes to
professional indemnity (PI) as it keeps existing
ownership and liability clearly defined.
Level 3
Fully open process and data integration enabled by IFC
international framework class) / IFD (international
framework dictionaries). Managed by a collaborative
model server. Could be regarded as iBIM or integrated
BIM potentially employing concurrent engineering
processes.
Finally, if an organisation used an online portal as
opposed to a local file based system that allowed for
the free sharing of information between software’s
(IFC).
We would refer to this as level 3. As it stands, level 3 is
not well defined. Work is currently underway to
develop the framework for level 3, but it will be built
on open BIM practices and be based off of level 2.