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Industry Resources & Standards
Resources at Your Fingertips
This page is a curated hub of industry resources—standards, specifications, and best practices that help elevate the quality of building documentation across the AEC industry. By consolidating these materials in one place, we aim to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration among professionals. Stay tuned, as more resources will be added!
Standards & Frameworks for Building Documentation ProfessionalsÂ
USIBD Level of Accuracy (LOA) Specification v3.1
Industry standard for defining accuracy in reality capture and scan-to-BIM deliverables.
Creates clear, measurable expectations between owners, designers, and service providers.
BIMForum LOD Specification (2025)
Defines standardized Levels of Development (LOD) for BIM model elements.
Aligns scope, expectations, and reliability across project teams.
ISO 19650 – Information Management for BIM
Global standard for managing information across the asset lifecycle using BIM.
Enables structured, scalable, enterprise-level digital workflows.
Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) – ISO 16739-1
Open data standard for BIM interoperability between software platforms.
Enables open-BIM workflows and prevents vendor lock-in.
COBie (Construction-Operations Building Information Exchange)
Standardized data format for transferring building asset information into operations.
Bridges design and construction data with facility management systems.
National BIM Standard – United States (NBIMS-US™)
U.S. framework for structuring and exchanging BIM information.
Creates national consistency in BIM practices and data management.
National CAD Standard
(NCS)
Standardized system for CAD drawing organization and documentation.
Improves drawing consistency, coordination, and communication.
HABS / HAER / HALS Documentation Standards
Federal standards for documenting historic buildings, engineering works, and landscapes.
Defines preservation-grade measurement and documentation practices.
RICS Measured Survey & Accuracy Guidance
Professional guidance on survey accuracy and measurement reliability.
Establishes trusted benchmarks for precision and accountability.
OmniClass Construction Classification System
Classification system for organizing construction information and assets.
Enables structured data organization across design, construction, and operations.
Guides & Best Practices for Building Documentation Professionals
Organizations & Associations for Building Documentation Professionals
Building Documentation & BIM Standards Leaders
U.S. Institute of Building Documentation (USIBD)
The leading association for building documentation professionals, USIBD develops standards, guides, and education that support consistent, high-quality practices across scanning, modeling, and digital documentation projects.
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BIMForum
BIMForum advances the use of BIM by producing influential resources such as the LOD Specification and procurement guides, helping owners, designers, and contractors align on BIM deliverables.
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buildingSMART International (bSI)
buildingSMART leads global development of openBIM standards such as IFC and BCF, ensuring collaboration, data exchange, and interoperability across software platforms and the entire building lifecycle.
National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS)
NIBS unites government, industry, and academia to advance building sciences, including managing the National BIM Standard–US, which guides BIM adoption across design, construction, and operations.
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Professional Bodies
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
The AIA represents architects and produces resources such as the AIA contract documents and LOD framework, helping ensure project standards and client expectations are clearly defined.
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
ASCE sets standards for civil engineering and surveying practices, providing resources that strengthen infrastructure design and accuracy requirements essential to building documentation projects.
Associated General Contractors of America (AGC)
AGC represents construction contractors nationwide, offering resources and best practices that help integrate BIM, project delivery, and digital tools into the construction documentation process.
American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
ACEC advocates for consulting engineering firms, providing guidance on technical standards, project delivery, and documentation practices that enhance design and construction project outcomes.
Surveying & Geospatial Associations
National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS)
NSPS promotes surveying best practices and accuracy standards, ensuring geospatial data—including control networks and boundary surveys—supports precise documentation and reality capture projects.
American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS)
ASPRS advances mapping, lidar, and imaging standards. Their guidelines ensure data collected by drones, scanners, or satellites meets professional documentation and geospatial quality requirements.
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
RICS is a global professional body setting standards in surveying, property, and construction measurement, including practices that inform reliable building documentation deliverables.
Facility & Asset Management
International Facility Management Association (IFMA)
IFMA supports facility managers worldwide, offering resources and standards that integrate BIM, digital twins, and accurate documentation into the long-term management of buildings.
Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA International)
BOMA develops measurement standards for building areas and space utilization. Their guidelines are widely used to define accurate as-built and occupancy documentation.
Construction Technology & Innovation
Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)
CSI publishes classification standards such as MasterFormat, UniFormat, and OmniClass, which are critical for organizing building documentation within BIM workflows.
IEEE Standards Association
IEEE develops global standards for digital twin, IoT, and smart building technologies, supporting the integration of building documentation into advanced technology systems.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
ISO publishes international standards such as ISO 19650, which guide BIM information management and ensure consistent building documentation practices worldwide.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
ANSI oversees U.S. adoption of global standards and accredits national standards, ensuring building documentation practices align with international requirements.
Tools & Platforms for Building Documentation Professionals
Submit a Resource
BD-Pros believes in building an open, collaborative industry. We welcome submissions of publicly available standards and guides that advance the practice of building documentation. Have a resource you want us to highlight? Submit it here, and we'll add it to our growing list of industry resources!
