Levels of Development in BIM

The Comprehensive

Interactive Guide to BIM LOD

Welcome to the all-in-one resource for understanding Level of Development (LOD) in Building Information Modeling (BIM). Forget static articles. This interactive guide is designed for you to explore, compare, and understand the nuances of LOD from every angle.

Instead of a 30,000-word document, we've built an "associative" experience. Click on an LOD level to see its details. Switch to the role-based view to see how it affects you. Check the chart to see its data impact. Use the nav menu to jump to any topic, or scroll to begin your journey.

Key Concepts

LOD is more than just a number. It's a framework for communication, liability, and project planning. This section breaks down the most important related ideas and common misunderstandings.

What LOD is NOT

LOD is not a measure of model quality, accuracy, or completeness. A high-LOD model can still be wrong. It is also not a rigid, linear progression; a project will have different LODs for different elements at the same time.

LOD vs. LOI

LOD (Level of Development) = Geometry + Information. LOI (Level of Information) refers *only* to the non-graphical data. The LOD specification framework combines both, so a high-LOD element implies both detailed graphics and detailed information.

The BIM Execution Plan (BEP)

This is the critical document where the project team defines *who* is responsible for modeling *what* elements to *which* LOD at *which* project milestone. Without a BEP, LOD is just a theory. It's the "contract" for model development.

Interactive LOD Explorer

This is the core of our guide. Click any LOD level below to dynamically update the details pane. This "associative" interaction allows you to instantly compare what defines each stage, what it includes, and how it's used in practice.

LOD by Professional Role

LOD means different things to different people. Click a role to see a summary of how they typically interact with and rely on the LOD framework. This "associative" view helps connect the technical definitions to real-world responsibilities.

The Data Impact of LOD

Higher LOD isn't "free." As the geometry and information in a model element increase, so do the file size, processing power required, and—most importantly—the time and cost to produce it. This chart visualizes the exponential growth in relative complexity and data as LOD increases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a quick question? Here are some common answers. For more, try our FAQ Bot in the corner.

Absolutely. In fact, every project does. At the design development stage, the structural steel (LOD 300) may be far more developed than the interior finishes (LOD 200). The BEP defines this staggered development.

This is a team effort, led by the project manager and BIM manager, and defined in the BIM Execution Plan (BEP). The Owner sets the overall project goals, and the design and construction teams determine the LODs needed to meet those goals at each phase.