Unlocking Commercial Value through Open Data in Property, Design, Construction & Facility Management.

Report publication!

buildingSMART UK and Ireland is pleased to release two complementary publications that explain how open, standardised data delivers measurable value across the built environment.  Together, the Full Report and the Briefing Note present a clear case for adopting Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), the international openData standard for describing buildings and infrastructure.

The Full Report provides a detailed exploration of the commercial and operational benefits of IFC across the entire value chain.  It outlines how structured, interoperable data improves coordination, reduces risk, strengthens ESG reporting, enables better lifecycle outcomes, and supports digital participation in a global market.  The report is written for developers, designers, contractors, manufacturers, and regulators, and includes an implementation roadmap backed by international case studies.

The Briefing Note distils these insights for senior government and regulatory audiences.  It highlights the role of IFC in supporting faster approvals, clearer accountability, improved safety, fairer procurement, and smarter national assets.  It outlines practical steps for embedding IFC within planning, regulation, procurement, and national digital twin programmes.

Both documents contribute to the wider openBIM Business Value initiative led by buildingSMART International.  They demonstrate how one open data format can enable multiple high value outcomes throughout the full lifecycle of the built environment.