1.1 Common Use Definitions

The following are within the entire scope of this release of IFC:

• BIM exchange format definitions that are required during the life cycle phases of buildings:
  • demonstrating the need;
  • conception of need;
  • outline feasibility;
  • substantive feasibility study and outline financial authority;
  • outline conceptual design;
  • full conceptual design;
  • coordinated design;
  • procurement and full financial authority;
  • production information;
  • construction;
  • operation and maintenance.
    
    
• BIM exchange format definitions that are required by the various disciplines involved within the life cycle phases:
  • architecture;
  • building service;
  • structural engineering;
  • procurement;
  • construction planning;
  • facility management;
  • project management;
  • client requirement management;
  • building authority for permits and approval.
    
    
• BIM exchange format definitions including:
  • project structure;
  • physical components;
  • spatial components;
  • analysis items;
  • processes;
  • resources;
  • controls;
  • actors;
  • context definition.

The following are outside the scope of this release of IFC:

• exchange format definitions outside of the domain of construction and facility maintenance;
• full project structure and component breakdown structures outside of building engineering, but providing a baseline for civil engineering to be extended in future releases;
• behavioral aspects of components and other information items.