A Building Information Model (BIM) is a parametric, or intelligent, 3D model. A BIM operates on a digital database and any change made to this database is reflected throughout the entire drawing. This allows everyone involved in the building lifecycle – architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and building owners - to sync together allowing them to view the model in different ways and seamlessly share information.

BIM produces construction documents that resemble those created by 2D CAD Drafting, but are done much faster and contain information about structure, quantities, materials and other data that can be used in both — the construction and management of a building. Using BIM, designers can analyze the building design in detail and locate human errors, if any.

BIM can greatly decrease errors made by design team members as well as the construction team (Contractors and Subcontractors) by allowing the use of conflict detection where the computer actually informs team members about parts of the building in conflict or clashing, and through detailed computer visualization of each part in relation to the total building.

BIM also provides adequate information for building performance analysis and evaluation, which is of vital importance for sustainable building design. BIM provides accurate and extremely reliable information about the building, the structure, the materials used, etc including green aspects such as energy efficiency and daylighting.