Overview
CEN/TR 17741:2021 - "Guidance for understanding and utilize EN/ISO 29481-1" explains how to develop an Information Delivery Manual (IDM) in compliance with EN ISO 29481-1. Written for non‑technical readers, this CEN Technical Report clarifies IDM core components, structure and the IDM development process to help clients, project teams and software vendors define and verify information requirements and deliverables in a BIM-enabled environment.
Key topics and requirements
- IDM purpose and structure: Clear explanation of what an IDM is and how it captures user requirements and the overall information delivery process.
- Process definitions and maps: Guidance on creating process representations including process maps, interaction maps and transaction maps to describe how information flows between actors.
- Exchange requirements: How to specify the information to be exchanged, distinguishing between geometrical information and alphanumerical information.
- Use cases and method: Steps for defining use cases and selecting an appropriate IDM development approach (including reverse engineering, information constraint customization and process discovery).
- IDM vs MVD: Explains the concept of a Model View Definition (MVD) and its role as a technical implementation of IDM in a data model, but explicitly excludes detailed MVD, XML or XSD schema definitions from its scope.
- Transaction framework concepts: Uses selected concepts from EN ISO 29481-2 to describe coordination acts and interaction patterns between actors.
- Non-technical orientation: Focuses on readable, actionable guidance rather than low-level schema or software specifications.
Practical applications
- Define clear, repeatable information delivery specifications for BIM projects.
- Translate client and regulatory information needs into verifiable exchange requirements.
- Support procurement and project documentation (EIR, OIR, AIR, PIR) by providing structured IDMs.
- Help software vendors and BIM coordinators understand IDM intent when developing tools-even though MVD and XML/XSD technical implementations are out of scope.
- Apply beyond model-based exchanges to regulatory submissions, national information standards and other data‑centric workflows.
Who should use this standard
- Clients, owners and asset managers
- Architects, engineers and contractors
- Surveyors, authorities and facility managers
- BIM managers, coordinators and software vendors seeking to align tools with IDM methodology
Related standards
- EN ISO 29481-1: IDM methodology and format (primary reference)
- EN ISO 29481-2: Interaction framework (concepts used)
- EN ISO 19650 series: Information management and verification of deliverables
CEN/TR 17741:2021 is a practical, SEO‑friendly reference for professionals who need to specify, implement or verify information delivery in BIM-enabled construction and asset management.