Information Delivery Specification (IDS)
Quick definition: A buildingSMART standard for writing information requirements in a form that both people and software can read, so delivered IFC models can be checked automatically.
Explanation
Beginner explanation
An IDS file is a checklist a computer can run. It might say "every door must have a fire rating", and software can then scan an IFC model and report which doors are missing it.
Technical explanation
IDS v1.0 was approved as a final buildingSMART standard in June 2024. An IDS document (XML) contains specifications, each with an applicability section (which objects the rule applies to — for example by IFC entity, classification, property or material) and a requirements section (what those objects must have — attributes, properties with data types and allowed values, classifications, materials or part relationships). Validation tools test an IFC file against the IDS and report pass or fail per object.
IDS complements rather than replaces written Exchange information requirements: it captures the checkable, alphanumeric part of the Level of information need, while purpose, responsibilities and geometry quality still need human-readable requirements.
Practical example
An airport authority issues an IDS with its EIR stating that every IfcSpace must have a room number matching its pattern and a classification from the authority's space-type list. Each design submission is validated automatically before human review.
Why it matters
Automated checking makes acceptance faster, more objective and repeatable, and it lets delivery teams self-check before submission.
Standards and references
- Information Delivery Specification (IDS). buildingSMART International.Widely accepted professional interpretation
Supports: IDS purpose: human- and machine-readable information requirements for checking - Information Delivery Specification (IDS) v1.0 is approved as a final standard. buildingSMART International, 2024.Historical record
Supports: IDS v1.0 approved as final standard, 4 June 2024; supports ISO 19650 checking · Status: Announced 2024-06-04.
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VDC Stack.io. (2026). Information Delivery Specification (IDS). In VDC Stack.io Knowledge Dictionary. Retrieved from https://vdcstack.io/dictionary/information-delivery-specification/