Supporting the OpenBIM transition

Abstract: The AEC industry is concerned about the value for money, interoperability and innovation of closed BIM software. A maturing OpenBIM ecosystem of free and Open Source (FOSS) tools may soon provide viable alternatives to closed BIM tools. University BIM education could support a transition in the AEC towards OpenBIM tools. Based on an evaluation of an existing BIM course and BIM education literature, this paper identifies OpenBIM principles, learning objectives, activities, future roles and vision to support the transition to OpenBIM. It proposes that this can be achieved by extending existing BIM curriculums to include OpenBIM Ontologists and OpenBIM Champions.