BS EN ISO 23386:2020

What is ISO 23386 about?  

ISO 23386 discusses building information modelling and other digital processes used in construction. ISO 23386 defines the methodology for describing, authoring, and maintaining properties of interconnected data dictionaries. 

ISO 23386 specifies rules for defining properties used in construction and methodology used for authoring and maintaining them for a seamless digital share among shareholders that follow a BIM process.  

ISO 23386 specifies the attributes to define properties and groups of properties of a single data dictionary as well as the processes and commissions roles for the governance of a single data dictionary in a network of coordinated data dictionaries. 

ISO 23386 details information regarding the definition of properties and groups of properties: 

• Definitions of properties and groups of properties as a list of attributes 
• Definitions of all the provided attributes 

Regarding the authoring and maintaining processes it details: 

• Definitions and roles of applicants and experts 
• Requirements regarding establishing management rules, etc 

Note 1: It is presupposed under ISO 23386 that an established governance model for a data dictionary and a framework for its network is already in place.  

Note 2: ISO 23386 does not cover the content of the interconnected data dictionaries.  

Who is ISO 23386 for? 

ISO 23386 on building information modelling and other digital processes is relevant to: 

• Organizations 
• Applicants 
• Architects 

Why should you use ISO 23386?  

In a digital environment, there is not a single data dictionary that comprises all the definitions which are needed in all BIM domains. We find separated data dictionaries that may even reside on the same platform but still, are logically detached. 

For the advancement and future of BIM, it must be ensured that these data dictionaries are interoperable in tools and applications. For this, the elements of the data dictionaries need to be described by the same attributes by all data dictionary providers. This would lead harmonization of properties across data dictionaries. 

The assumption is that the data dictionaries are independent of each other, they are connected in a coordinated network of data dictionaries 

ISO 23386 ensures the quality and unicity of properties which avoids the creation of duplicates among properties. 

ISO 23386 assists in maintaining and evaluating properties for harmonizing properties across interconnected data dictionaries. 

Harmonization of properties in interconnected data dictionaries can enhance the efficiency of data dictionaries and can increase their use in tools and applications.