The buildingSMART Process

buildingSMART has a formal process for the development of consensus-based standards and solutions. The overall objective of the standards process is to ensure that there are clear and transparent ways of working on solution and standard development which encourages participation and consensus building. You can learn more about the buildingSMART standards organization.

Standards projects are the primary mechanism by which standards work is formally executed. The buildingSMART standards development process occurs in three phases, initiation, solution development, and approval.

During initiation, standards proposals are developed which clearly identify the user needs and standard concept. These are documented with use case(s), a work plan, a stakeholder support plan and a detailed execution plan. During the development phase, the work is executed by the standards consortium. Appropriate expert reviews are undertaken in the areas of user and commercial requirements, technical architecture and implement requirements to support the overall objectives of consensus and coherency.   Once the solution development work is considered substantially complete and the sponsoring Domain or Group has endorsed the outcomes then the Standards Committee Executive reviews the Draft bSI Standard. On approval by the Executive, the standard is designated a bSI Candidate Standard and the formal approval phase commences.

During the approval phase, documented records demonstrating that consensus engagement has been achieved among the stakeholders are required for approval. Voting and notification rules governing the advancement of standards up the maturity scale are defined by the buildingSMART Standards Process. In summary, to initiate and deliver a project in buildingSMART, there are five key steps to follow as depicted below.

1. SUBMIT ACTIVITY PROPOSAL

In order to begin any "working" project, a proposal is required. This helps to formalize the project into a "Domain" to gain support from the community. You can click the button below to get a copy in Word of the project proposal document.

for step one on process page
Step 2

2. PREPARE DETAILED PROJECT PROPOSAL

At this stage, you need to prepare and define a project proposal document. This includes scope, deliverables and milestones, funding sources, and principle participants. This stage also includes the signing of an MoU. This agreement provides stakeholder buy-in and membership commitment.

3. SPONSORSHIP

buildingSMART and project teams will source funding for the project throughout the whole process. Projects range in terms of their levels of funding, from cash commitment to work in kind.

step3
For Step 4 on Process Page

4. bSI ENGAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE

The bSI Process delivers project outcomes and achieves international consensus. bSI governance covers process engagement, project fund management and progress milestones. Rest assured, your project is in good hands.

5. APPROVAL

Now the solution or standard has gone through the bSI Process, and delivery is complete, your solution or standard is now internationally recognized.

step5

To learn how to apply and follow the bSI Process, click the links below. These describe the process itself, the organisation structure, the communication workflows and project delivery definition.

It is the vehicle that the bSI community uses to identify and articulate the business governance that is required to provide the necessary clarity, quality and rigor to bSI’s activities.

The bSI Process enables a worldwide community to operate together effectively despite their separation and variety of professional disciplines.

buildingSMART International (bSI) Process

File TypeTitleContentDate
bSI ProcessThe buildingSMART International (bSI) Process28 July 2020
OrganizationAddendum 1 - Organization – key bodies and responsibilities16 October 2019
Project deliveryAddendum 3 - Project delivery30th August 2022
SC ReviewAddendum 4 - SC Review11 March 2020