ISO 23386:2020

Overview

ISO 23386:2020 - Building information modelling (BIM) and other digital processes used in construction - defines a methodology to describe, author and maintain properties in interconnected data dictionaries. The standard establishes rules and a common attribute-based model so property definitions (and groups of properties) can be consistently authored, governed and mapped across independent data dictionaries. Its aim is to improve digital interoperability, reduce duplication and enable confident information sharing across the BIM lifecycle.

Key topics and requirements

• Property and group definitions: Specifies that properties and groups of properties are described as lists of attributes and provides definitions for those attributes (names, definitions, metadata).
• Authoring and maintenance process: Defines roles (applicants, experts, commissions of experts), request and expert attributes, and lifecycle actions for creating, modifying or deactivating properties.
• Governance rules: Requires an established governance model for each data dictionary and a framework for a network of data dictionaries to ensure coordinated management.
• Interconnection and mapping: Requires management rules to interconnect data dictionaries through mapping attributes so properties and groups can be related and reused across systems.
• Quality control measures: Procedures to handle duplicates, document naming conventions (standards, regulations, reference documents) and commission opinions to ensure unicity and consistency.
• Scope constraints: The standard defines the methodology and metadata model but does not supply the actual content of data dictionaries.

Practical applications

ISO 23386:2020 is practical for organizations working to make BIM data interoperable and reusable:

• Ensures consistent metadata standards for product data, element properties and regulatory attributes.
• Enables software vendors and platform providers to support multiple, interconnected data dictionaries and automated mapping.
• Helps manufacturers and product authors structure property requests and submit authoritative metadata.
• Supports asset owners, facility managers and contractors in harmonizing requirements across projects, regulations and countries.
• Reduces ambiguity and duplication in property definitions, improving data quality for design, construction and operation.

Who should use it

• BIM managers and information managers
• Data dictionary custodians and governance bodies
• Software developers and BIM platform providers
• Manufacturers, product data authors and compliance teams
• Standardization committees and regulatory authorities

Related standards

Relevant ISO and international references include:

• ISO 12006-3 (information organization for construction)
• ISO 19650 (BIM information management principles)
• ISO 80000 (quantities and units)
• Coding and interchange references such as ISO 3166, ISO 4217, ISO 8601

ISO 23386:2020 is a foundational standard for metadata governance in the digital built environment, supporting consistent, interoperable BIM data across tools, organizations and jurisdictions.