ISO 23387-2020 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 23387:2020 — Building information modelling (BIM) — Data templates for construction objects used in the life cycle of built assets — Concepts and principles. This international standard defines the conceptual model, structure and rules for machine‑readable data templates intended to describe construction objects (products, systems, assemblies, spaces, buildings, etc.) across the asset life cycle to support interoperable digital exchange and data dictionaries for BIM workflows.

Abstract

This document specifies principles and a taxonomy model for data templates, providing a UML/EXPRESS representation (including EXPRESS‑G extensions) and rules for linking templates to IFC classes and classification systems. It defines the structure and semantics for template elements (subjects/objects, groups of properties, properties, quantities, units, enumerated values) but does not supply template content; it is aimed primarily at software developers and implementers creating data dictionaries and tooling for BIM.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn / superseded (revised by a later edition published in 2025).
• Publication date: July 2020 (published 29 July 2020).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 35.240.67 (IT applications in building and construction industry); 91.010.01 (Construction materials and building).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2020).
• Number of pages: 17 pages (original ISO publication).

Notes: The 2020 edition was later revised and replaced by a 2025 edition; consult the newer edition for current normative text and any expanded/updated models or XSD/implementation guidance.

Scope

ISO 23387:2020 defines the concepts, principles and data model for creating data templates that carry alphanumeric information about construction objects through the asset life cycle. It provides a taxonomy model and formal schema (EXPRESS and EXPRESS‑G extensions) and establishes rules for linking template elements to IFC (industry foundation classes) and to classification systems within a data dictionary framework. It does not define the content of specific templates (property sets, values or domain rules), which are expected to be supplied by domain standards, product specifications or project information requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• Conceptual taxonomy for data templates: subjects/objects, property groups, properties, quantities, units and enumerated values.
• Template structure and UML representation aligned with ISO 12006‑3 concepts (objects, collections, relationships).
• Formal EXPRESS schema and extended EXPRESS‑G notation to enable machine‑readable template definitions and automated processing.
• Rules for linking data template elements to IFC classes and to external classification systems within a data dictionary.
• Requirements for use of unique identifiers/URIs and consistent metadata to support interoperability and unambiguous referencing.
• Normative references and mapping guidance to related BIM and data‑modelling standards (ISO 12006‑3, ISO 10303‑11/EXPRESS, ISO 16739/IFC, ISO 19650 family).

These topics together enable standardized, machine‑interpretable templates for exchange, validation and integration across BIM tools and asset management systems.

Typical use and users

Primary users are software developers, BIM platform vendors and system integrators implementing data dictionaries, template engines, or IFC/semantic mappings. Secondary users include BIM coordinators, information managers, asset owners and specialists who commission or use machine‑readable templates for procurement, design automation, handover and facilities management. The standard is intended as an implementation and modelling guide rather than a domain‑specific property catalogue.

Related standards

Closely related and frequently referenced standards include ISO 12006‑3 (organization of information about construction works — conceptual framework for object types and classification), ISO 10303‑11 (EXPRESS language), ISO 16739 (IFC for open BIM), and the ISO 19650 series (information management using BIM). National and sectoral classification systems and product data standards are also commonly linked via the data dictionary rules in ISO 23387.

Keywords

BIM, data template, data dictionary, EXPRESS, EXPRESS‑G, IFC, ISO 23387, template mapping, classification mapping, asset lifecycle, interoperability, UML, metadata, URIs.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 23387:2020 is an ISO international standard that specifies concepts, principles and a formal model for data templates used to describe construction objects across the built‑asset life cycle.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the taxonomy and structure of data templates (subjects/objects, property groups, properties, quantities, units), an EXPRESS schema and EXPRESS‑G notation extensions, and rules for linking templates to IFC classes and classification systems; it does not supply the actual property content for specific domains.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Software developers, BIM tool vendors, data‑dictionary maintainers, information managers and BIM coordinators who implement or commission machine‑readable templates and mappings for interoperable BIM workflows.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2020 edition has been withdrawn/superseded and a revised edition was published in 2025; for current normative requirements and any implementation updates you should consult the 2025 edition (ISO 23387:2025).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the suite of ISO standards addressing BIM and information management for construction (references include ISO 12006‑3, ISO 16739/IFC and the ISO 19650 series) and is complementary to other standards that define property sets, classification systems and exchange formats.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: BIM, data template, data dictionary, EXPRESS, IFC, template mapping, interoperability, asset lifecycle, metadata, URIs.