Overview
ISO 23387:2025 - “Building information modelling (BIM) - Data templates for objects used in the life cycle of assets” defines a standardized concept and structure for data templates that carry alphanumerical information about objects across an asset’s life cycle. The standard focuses on enabling machine‑interpretable data through a harmonized data model (aligned with ISO 12006-3) and provides an XML Schema Definition (XSD) as an implementation example. It specifies how to create, maintain and link data templates within data dictionaries, but does not define the content of individual templates.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Data template structure: Defines the components of a template (object type, groups of properties, properties) and UML representations for consistent modelling.
- ISO 12006-3 alignment: Specifies how data templates are represented and specialized following the ISO 12006-3 framework for object‑oriented information.
- Data modelling rules: Guidance on URIs usage, reference documents, subject kinds, relationships and correct property relationships to ensure semantic clarity.
- Data dictionary methodology: Procedures to create, register and maintain data templates and to link templates to classification systems within dictionaries.
- XML representations / XSD: Provides an XSD that implements the ISO 23387 and ISO 12006-3 data models to support software integration and validation.
- Informative annexes: Examples, use cases, creation workflows, attribute examples and XML/XSD samples to support practical implementation.
Practical applications and who uses it
ISO 23387 is intended for stakeholders that need interoperable, machine‑readable object data across the built environment:
- Software developers - embed standardized data structures and implement the provided XSD for validation and exchange.
- BIM managers and domain experts - author and maintain data templates to represent product, system and asset information.
- Manufacturers and product data owners - structure product information for reuse in design, procurement and asset management workflows.
- Asset owners/operators and authorities - specify data requirements in tenders and verify submissions against standardized templates.
- Researchers and educators - build tools, workflows and curricula around standardized data templates and digital asset management.
Practical uses include standardized data exchange between design tools and facility management systems, mapping manufacturer product data into BIM workflows, and enabling automated checks and data-driven asset operations.
Related standards
- ISO 12006-3 - Framework for object-oriented information (primary reference)
- ISO 23386 - Methodology to describe, author and maintain properties
- ISO 16739-1 (IFC) - Interoperability with Industry Foundation Classes
- ISO 19650 series - Information management using BIM
Keywords: ISO 23387, BIM, data templates, data dictionary, ISO 12006-3, XSD, machine-interpretable data, asset life cycle, IFC.