BIM as a methodology has been around for quite some time, yet its potential remains only partially realized. Too often, BIM is reduced to simple 3D modeling or the automation of specific tasks, whereas the true strength of this approach lies in collaborative work aimed at achieving a high-quality outcome. The BIM Manifesto is intended to unite all project participants — ranging from clients and designers to contractors and end users — around shared values. The goal of this manifesto is to remind us that BIM, above all, is about a unified environment, openness, clarity, and mutual trust. Only through these can we attain well-thought-out, reliable, and sustainable solutions that benefit everyone.
BIM Values
- Transparency, Openness, and Collaboration
Adopting a BIM methodology makes it possible to establish a unified and visually clear environment for accurate project data, making the information more accessible to all participants. However, the full potential of BIM can only be unlocked through open interaction and the willingness to share information, solve problems jointly, and make decisions as a cohesive team. - Increasing Stakeholder Engagement
BIM simplifies the involvement of interested parties (including at early stages of a project) by offering various data presentation formats — from 3D models to structured tables. This lowers the barrier to understanding the project and enables teams to address comments and suggestions promptly, before their integration becomes overly costly. - Integration and Consistency of Data
BIM allows for the consolidation of information from different disciplines into a single system. As a result, all participants can work with consistent and synchronized data, which reduces the risk of discrepancies and errors and fosters greater trust within the project team. - Support for Managerial Decision-Making
BIM tools enable comprehensive analysis of information — running automated checks, modeling project development scenarios, and comparing alternative solutions. This practice helps managers and specialists make more informed decisions, enhancing transparency in planning and coordination. - Quality as the End Goal
By reinforcing collaboration and ensuring data accuracy, BIM contributes to well-designed and efficient project solutions. Ultimately, this raises the overall quality of the outcome and increases satisfaction for all stakeholders — from designers and clients to the end users of the facility. It is precisely this commitment to quality that underpins BIM as a long-term and sustainable practice.
The real value of the BIM methodology is not limited to its tools or short-term benefits. Above all, it is an open and visual form of teamwork where each participant strives for the best possible outcome and recognizes their responsibility to the team and future users.
Achieving BIM’s values in practice is facilitated by the principles that form the basis of BIM operations. These principles provide clear guidelines for project participants and describe the key organizational, technical, and methodological aspects to be considered when planning and implementing a BIM project. From model primacy to data interoperability, these principles help teams consistently translate the values into their daily activities, mitigate risks, and reinforce a unified approach.
BIM Principles
- Principle of Model Primacy
The information model serves as the primary source of project data. Drawings and specifications are generated based on this model. In cases of discrepancy between the model and derivative documents, the model takes precedence. - Principle of a Realistic Model Structure
The model is created based on how the facility will be constructed and operated. Each element is formed according to its purpose and structural solution, minimizing discrepancies between the design and construction process. - Principle of Lean Data
Requirements for the model and the information it contains should be minimal yet sufficient to meet the project’s goals. Excessive requirements increase workloads for all participants and complicate data management. - Principle of a Common Data Environment
A common data environment ensures that all project information is accessible to participants in a consistent and up-to-date manner. It eliminates the duplication of data and provides a single platform for coordination and decision-making. - Principle of Early Stakeholder Involvement
A BIM environment simplifies engaging key participants at a stage when project decisions can still be readily adjusted. Various data presentation formats (models, tables, graphs) reduce the entry barrier and facilitate timely feedback, avoiding costly rework. - Principle of Data Reliability
The absence of data is preferable to having incorrect data, as detecting and correcting errors is particularly challenging. Each data set must be reviewed and verified, with a specific individual or group held accountable for its accuracy and relevance. - Principle of Data Standardization
Data should be organized and classified according to established standards to ensure accessibility, compatibility, and the feasibility of automated processing. - Principle of Targeted Coordination
Models from various disciplines are reconciled in a shared environment once they reach the required level of maturity. This enables the timely identification and resolution of inconsistencies, reducing unnecessary checks and lessening the burden on project participants. - Principle of Timely Data Delivery
Data is delivered exactly on schedule once it has achieved a maturity level that reflects its readiness for current tasks. Such delivery is preceded by agreement and validation procedures. - Principle of Data Interoperability
Data and models are transferred and stored in formats or via mechanisms that ensure long-term availability and compatibility, thereby simplifying information exchange among different systems.
The BIM Manifesto serves as a reminder that the true strength of this methodology does not lie in the tools themselves, but in creating a transparent interactive environment in which each party acknowledges mutual accountability and contributes to a high-quality result. By following specific principles and embracing these values, project participants can achieve a level of coordination and trust that elevates BIM from a mere methodology to a comprehensive philosophy of collaborative work on any project—from small-scale buildings to large-scale infrastructure initiatives.
BIM Manifesto by Dzmitry Chubryk is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International 
