Implementing the buildingSMART IDS Standard (A Simple, Effective Workflow Using Plannerly + Archicad)

So, you’ve decided to jump on the buildingSMART IDS bandwagon. Congrats!

You’re about to embark on a journey that will make your BIM projects run smoother, your teams more coordinated, and your headaches significantly reduced.

Well, that’s the goal, anyway 😊

Implementing the buildingSMART Information Delivery Specification (IDS) standard might sound like a daunting task, but trust me, it’s simpler than you think—especially if you’ve got the right tools.

Whether you’re using Archicad or Revit, the workflow we’ll discuss today will help you create, consume, and validate IDS with a little help from Plannerly.

And if that sounds like a lot of techy jargon, don’t worry – I’ll break it down into digestible bits – think of this as your IDS implementation journey, with a bit of dry humour to keep things interesting.

Step 1: Creating IDS in Plannerly—Setting the Stage

First things first, let’s talk about creating your IDS.

If you’re not familiar, IDS is a structured way to define what information needs to be delivered and how it should be delivered throughout your project.

It’s like making a grocery list before you hit the store, except this list is for everything you need from your BIM model—without the impulse buys.

Using Plannerly, creating an IDS is as straightforward as it gets.

Here’s how it works (all of these steps are shown in the video below too!):

1. Set Up Your Project: Start by creating a new project in Plannerly. Let’s say you’re working on an office building. You’d name your project, add the necessary details, and jump into the Scope module.
2. Choose Your Standards: Next, you’ll select your classification and property domains. Plannerly makes this easy by integrating directly with the buildingSMART Data Dictionary (bSDD). It’s like having a cheat sheet for all the industry standards you need to follow—no need to memorize it all.
3. Define Your Requirements: This is where the magic happens. You’ll define the entities you need (like walls, doors, or HVAC systems) and the specific properties for each. Maybe you need a fire rating for your walls/doors or an extended warranty for your air terminals. Whatever it is, you can define it here, ensuring that everyone on your team knows exactly what’s required.
4. Export the IDS File: Once you’ve set everything up, you can export the IDS in both human-readable (PDF) and machine-readable (XML) formats. This is where the fun begins. You’ve just created a roadmap for your project’s information requirements. Congrats!

Step 2: Consuming IDS in Archicad or Revit—Turning Requirements into Reality

Now that you’ve got your IDS file, it’s time to put it to work.

Whether you’re using Archicad or Revit, consuming the IDS is a breeze.

Here’s what you do:

1. Import the IDS File: In Archicad, importing the IDS file is as easy as clicking a button. The software reads the IDS and automatically sets up the required properties and classifications in your project. Gone are the days of manually inputting every little detail.
2. Apply the Requirements: With the IDS imported, you can now apply the requirements to your model. Whether you’re setting fire ratings for slabs or adding carbon content values to wall finishes, the IDS ensures that every piece of information is where it needs to be. It’s a standardized structure for your model’s data, ensuring that nothing is left to chance.
3. Save and Export: Once you’ve applied all the requirements, save your model and export it as an IFC file. This file is now loaded with all the data you need, neatly packaged and ready for the next step.

Step 3: Running Model Checks in Plannerly—The Final Test

With your IFC file ready, it’s time for the moment of truth: checking whether your model meets all the requirements set out in your IDS.

This is where Plannerly comes back into the picture.

1. Import the IFC File: Upload your IFC file (or simply sync it if you are using ACC/BIM 360) back into Plannerly. The software will automatically compare your model against the IDS, highlighting any discrepancies in a way that’s both clear and—dare I say—kind of satisfying 😃
2. Review the Results: Plannerly uses a simple colour-coded system to show you what’s working and what’s not. Green means everything’s good, yellow indicates minor issues, and red—well, red means you’ve got some work to do. It’s like getting your homework graded, but with a lot less red ink 😅
3. Fix and Verify: If there are any issues, you can easily identify where they are and what needs fixing. And if you’re working in a team, Plannerly makes it easy to assign tasks to the right people, ensuring that everything gets sorted out quickly.
4. Sign Off: Once everything checks out, you can sign off on the project with confidence, knowing that your model meets all the IDS requirements. It’s like getting a ⭐️ gold star for your project management skills.

What’s Important?

The IDS workflow provides Human-Readable version for contracting and project management and also a Machine-Readable format for automating your QA workflows:

IDS Webinar Demo Workflow

Watch the webinar to see complete end-to-end demos of this IDS workflow:

Wrapping It Up—Why IDS is a big for Design and Construction

Implementing the buildingSMART IDS standard might seem like a lot of work, but with the right tools, it’s surprisingly straightforward.

For design and construction professionals, time is of the essence.

With tight schedules and strict deadlines to meet, managing tasks like these efficiently is crucial for success.

By using Plannerly to create, consume, and validate IDS, you’re setting your project up for success from day one.

IDS helps you define clear, machine-readable requirements that can be easily shared across platforms like Archicad and Revit. It ensures that your models are built to spec, reducing the risk of errors and rework down the line.

And with Plannerly’s model checking features, you can quickly identify and fix any issues before they become bigger problems.

So, if you’re ready to take your BIM projects to the next level, give IDS a try.

It’s a small investment in time upfront that pays off big in the long run.

Plus, who doesn’t love the feeling of getting everything just right?

Happy BIM’ing!

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Three Bonus BIM Resources 🥳

1. Other Interesting Reads ⤵

• BUILDINGSMART IDS – UNLOCKING BUILDING EFFICIENCY: PLANNERLY ANNOUNCES IDS EXPORT AVAILABILITY ACROSS ALL PLANS
• HOW TO IMPLEMENT IDS FROM BUILDINGSMART
• UNDERSTANDING INFORMATION DELIVERY SPECIFICATIONS (IDS)

2. The Complete BIM Management Workflow [VIDEO] 🎥

Here’s a video I think you might find valuable 😃 – it covers the complete BIM management workflow:

3. Answers to some related questions 🤔

I blog for the Five BIM Bloggers series.

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