All the Information You Need to Understand About BIM's Level of Development (LOD)

 Introduction

Level of development (LOD) is a set of requirements used by professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector to define, explain, and define the content of Building Information Models (BIMs). LOD describes the development phases of different systems in Building Information Modelling (BIM). LOD is the industry standard. By using LOD specifications, architects, engineers, and other professionals can communicate clearly with each other for faster execution.

The Origin of LOD

LOD was first introduced by the AIA in 2008 when it defined five levels of development (LODs) to define the detailed levels of a BIM model. But the concept of LODs predates the AIA.

Vico Software, a building analysis software business, is credited with pioneering the use of LOD. They used a system such as LOD to connect digital models with project costs. At various stages in the design process, the organization made all the data and information associated with a digital model publicly available.

With LOD 350 now available, there are six development phases (more on this below) and 80 – 90% of a model’s elements should at least meet LOD 350.

What is the Level of Development (LOD)?

The Level of development (LOD) specification allows industry professionals to explain how geometry and associated element data have evolved for the project. It describes the degree to which different team members can rely on information associated with a particular element.

This LOD definition helps designers to understand the internal characteristics of model parts at different stages of design. A model becomes more complex when it has a clear illustration that shows the extent and timing of a user’s dependency on a model element.

By using LOD guidelines, designers and engineers can talk about a model’s usability and limitations with other professionals who will be using it in the future. The LOD guidelines were developed to standardize the LOD framework and to use it as a collaborative and productive tool.

Level of Development vs. Level of Detail

LOD stands for ‘Level of Detail’, rather than ‘Level of Development’. The term ‘level of development’ is used here. There are considerable differences between the two.

Level of Detail The Level of Detail is the level of detail a model element contains. The level of detail refers to how well the geometry, specifications, and accompanying information are considered. It also refers to how much your project team relies on the information when using the model. The level of development is a reliable outcome, and the level of detail is the element’s input.

LOD and Design Phase

The LOD doesn’t seem to be defined by the design phases. The LOD language can be used to describe the end of the design stage as well as other deliverables or milestones. This approach is chosen for several important reasons:

1) The first reason is that there is no one-size-fits-all standard for the entire design process. Earlier architects set standards that an organization followed. Standards vary from one organization to another and, depending on a project’s requirements, even within an organization.

2) Each element will be at a different point in this evolution because building systems evolve at different speeds from concept to exact definition. For example, the model has a high number of pieces at the LOD 200 but it also has a high number at the LOD 100, some at the LOD 300, and maybe even at the LOD 400 after Schematic Design.

The Benefit of Clarity Due to LOD for an AEC Project

The development level is one of the most important parts of the BIM process. Without the LOD, it can be difficult for everyone to work together, resulting in discrepancies that can hurt a project’s chances. With LOD specs, collaboration, and communication can be done more quickly and easily, freeing up resources for efficient resource deployment throughout the entire design and building lifecycle. The development level in the design process has the following benefits:

• Better collaboration and communication between different teams

With standardized specifications and detailed information about every aspect, designers can ensure zero mistakes in implementation and maintenance. Designers can provide recommendations and data to downstream teams with the help of LOD. For BIM execution contractors, LOD simplifies standard definition. Design managers can better communicate the requirements to the teams at different stages in the design lifecycle.

• Articulated Scope associated with a BIM deliverable

Accuracy is enhanced in BIM models using LOD. At the same time, each team, including owners, can clearly define the scope of the end-to-end BIM deliverable and the level of detail they want from the BIM model.

Importance of LOD in an AEC Project

Designers may find it difficult to communicate project needs to other teams in an era where everything is digital and 3D modeling is used for all high-value projects. Managing a BIM model often presents a unique challenge because different teams have different concepts of what is considered complete.

LOD standardizes the concept of “end-of-life” and eliminates the possibility of disputes over project end-of-life. LOD enables teams working across multiple disciplines to communicate better and more effectively with each other. LOD uses innovative techniques and tools to enhance design clarity.

Conclusion

Finally, we’d like to talk about how the importance of the BIM model for the executing team may diminish if there’s not a suitable LOD standard in place. With the proper Level of Development (LOD) criteria in place, the accuracy, precision, and value of both the complete BIM process and 3D models will significantly increase during a project.