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ISO 19650 Level of development Information delivery specification IDS

LOD, LOIN and LOA Explained (Plus IDS) | Plannerly

Clive Jordan

4 min read

Integrating LOD, Level of Information Need, and LOA
LOD, LOIN, LOA - Explained

Level of Detail/Development/Definition (LOD), Level of Information Need (LOIN 😉), and Level of Accuracy (LOA) are all important aspects for BIM, but they can be a bit tricky.

This blog (and video) will help you master LOD, LOIN, and LOA, and unveil how Plannerly combines all the best parts to unleash their superpowers!

🎥 LOD, LOIN, and LOA Explained (video)

📹 How to combine LOD, LOIN and LOA (with buildingSMART IDS!)

Slides from the presentation:

Integrating-LOD-Level-of-Information-Need-and-LOA (opens in a new tab)Download (opens in a new tab)

Understanding LOD, LOIN, and LOA

Level of Development (LOD)

LOD now refers to the development of a BIM element. However it began with optimizing computer graphics performance in 3D models back in the 1980s. The use of LOD was then expanded to cover reliability definitions and information requirements.

LOD levels go from 100 to 500, showing the shift from conceptual to detailed representations.

Challenges with LOD:

  • Inconsistent interpretations across the industry
  • Combining too much information into a single scale

Plannerly Solution:

Plannerly simplifies LOD requirements and management by providing clear, standardized templates that help teams consistently interpret, contract to, and apply LOD levels. Plannerly helps everyone collaborate on and understand the requirements and expectations, reducing misalignment and rework.

Level of Information Need (LOIN)

LOIN addresses the limitations of LOD by providing a clearer framework for defining information requirements. It focuses on the purpose, scope, and detailed requirements, encompassing geometry, information, and documentation.

Components of LOIN:

  • Purpose: Why the information is needed
  • Scope: What information is required
  • Detailed Requirements: Specific details for geometry, information, and documentation

Plannerly Solution:

Plannerly allows you to define and manage Level of Information Need in a comprehensive (but flexible) framework. Its intuitive interface helps you specify the purpose, scope, and detailed requirements, ensuring that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of what is needed and when.

Level of Accuracy (LOA)

LOA specifies the accuracy required for different stages of model development, particularly for as-built conditions. It is crucial for ensuring that models are reliable and can be used for precise fabrication or renovation tasks.

Integration with LOD and LOIN:

  • Defines accuracy requirements for different stages
  • Combines geometric detail with accuracy for comprehensive specifications

Plannerly Solution:

With Plannerly, you can easily integrate LOA into your LOD and LOIN frameworks. Plannerly helps you define accuracy requirements alongside development and information needs, ensuring that your models are both detailed and precise.

The Importance of Combining LOD, LOIN, and LOA

A Single Information Management Framework

Combining these concepts into a cohesive framework is essential for several reasons:

  • Clarity: Provides a clear understanding of what is required at each stage
  • Consistency: Ensures consistent application and interpretation across teams
  • Collaboration: Enhances collaboration by aligning expectations and reducing miscommunication
  • Efficiency: Streamlines workflows, reducing rework and delays

Plannerly Solution:

Plannerly's integrated platform supports the seamless combination of LOD, LOIN, and LOA. It provides tools for defining, managing, and automatiucally checking information requirements, making it easier to align teams and focus on project success.

Practical Implementation with Plannerly

Database vs. Spreadsheets:

Using databases over spreadsheets for managing detailed information requirements is more efficient and less error-prone. Plannerly's digital platform replaces traditional spreadsheets, offering a more robust and user-friendly solution.

Information Delivery Specification (IDS):

BuildingSMART's IDS allows defining, exporting, and checking information requirements in a machine-readable format. Plannerly supports IDS, enabling you to integrate information delivery specifications seamlessly into your workflows.

Open BIM and Collaboration:

Adopting Open BIM principles ensures better standardization and interoperability. Plannerly supports Open BIM, facilitating collaboration across different software and teams.

Further Learning

Plannerly offers a wealth of resources to help you master these concepts:

Try Plannerly for Free

You can unlock the full potential of LOD, LOIN, and LOA with Plannerly for free.

The Plannerly platform is designed to simplify and streamline your BIM workflows, ensuring clarity, consistency, and efficiency in your projects.

Ready to experience the power of Plannerly?

By integrating LOD, LOIN, and LOA with Plannerly, you can transform your approach to BIM and achieve better project outcomes!

Other interesting reads

Watch

The Complete BIM Management Workflow

Here's a video I think you might find valuable 😃 - it covers the complete BIM management workflow.

Questions we often get asked

What do LOD, LOIN, and LOA stand for in the context of BIM?
LOD stands for Level of Detail, Development or Definition, LOIN stands for Level of Information Need (although, you are not supposed to abbreviate Level of Information Need 😑), and LOA stands for Level of Accuracy. These terms are often used in project management to determine the requirements for a specific task or deliverable.
Why are LOD, LOIN, and LOA important for Building Information Modeling (BIM)?
LOD, LOIN, and LOA help to define the level of detail/development, information, and accuracy required for various components and elements within project/model deliverables. They help ensure consistent and reliable communication amongst project stakeholders, facilitate collaboration, and enable effective decision-making throughout the design, construction, and operation phases of a building project.
How does Plannerly simplify LOD/LOIN/LOA management?
Plannerly provides a centralized platform for managing and coordinating Level of Development (LOD), Level of Information Need and Level of Accuracy requirements, models, and deliverables across multiple teams and stakeholders. It streamlines the management process, ensuring consistent and accurate information exchange, reducing errors, and improving collaboration efficiency. Plannerly also has auto-checking features to streamline the compliance to these important standards.
What does LOIN address in BIM?
Level of Information Need (LOIN) is a framework used in Information Management to set requirements for Geometry, Information and Documentation of different types of information needed at various stages of a construction project. LOIN addresses the requirements and specificity required for each piece of information, helping to ensure that the right information is available to the right stakeholders at the right time. Note that it is recommended not to abbreviate Level of Information Need to LOIN 😊
How does Plannerly assist in managing Level of Information Need?
Plannerly allows comprehensive definition and management of Level of Information Need by helping specify the milestones, purpose, scope, geometry, information, documentation and detailed requirements clearly for all stakeholders. This ensures that all parties involved in a project have a clear understanding of the level of information required at each stage and can properly plan for its acquisition, creation, checking, and use.
Why is LOA important in model development?
LOA specifies the required accuracy levels for different stages of model development, ensuring reliability for precise fabrication or renovation tasks. The LOA can be either referencing a measured accuracy or a represented accuracy. For example, measurement could be by tape measure or by laser scanner, and representation of the elements in the model could be either exact or within a certain tolerance.
How can LOA be integrated with LOD and LOIN?
Plannerly facilitates the integration of LOA with LOD and LOIN frameworks, enabling the definition of all requirements in a simple project scoping and compliance workflow. The requirements can be defined, agreed, contracted, and also automatically checked. These workflows can also automatically initiate the payment process for completed work!
Why and how can combining LOD, LOIN, and LOA be helpful?
Each aspect is crucial on its own, but implementing them can be tough. Combining LOD, LOIN, and LOA can add more challenges, so it's vital to keep the implementation straightforward. Plannerly offers clarity, consistency, and collaboration in a user-friendly interface for these processes. This boosts efficiency in BIM and information management for AEC projects, improving project success and team alignment.
What are the benefits of using databases over spreadsheets for managing information requirements?
Databases, unlike spreadsheets, provide better scalability, data integrity, and security. They help organize, search, and retrieve data efficiently. Databases allow multiple users to access and run advanced queries simultaneously. Plannerly merges these advantages into a specialized database for effective handling of detailed project and information management needs.
How can Plannerly support openBIM and collaboration?
Plannerly supports openBIM and collaboration through its connections to the bSDD (the buildingSMART Data Dictionary) and IDS (Information Delivery Specification) features. These workflows allow users to specify standardized exchange information requirements, check IFC models, and collaborate with all other stakeholders in the design and construction industry.

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