From IFC Files To Structured Data with Simon Dean | openBIMvoice 11

In the eleventh episode of openBIMvoice, I talk with Simon Dean, a BIM Lead working on major infrastructure delivery in the UK.

Simon has worked on major infrastructure projects for many years, and in this conversation he shares what openBIM looks like when it is used on a large live project with thousands of IFC files, client requirements, validation workflows, and real delivery pressure.

The core idea is simple. IFC is not just a file format. It is a schema. Once you understand that, geometry becomes data, requirements become checkable, and openBIM starts to become much more practical.

What we discuss:

IFC 4.3 In Real Delivery. Simon explains what it takes to move from testing IFC 4.3 to actually delivering it on a major infrastructure project.

IDS As The Starting Point. Why Simon recommends starting your IFC journey with IDS, because it forces you to understand requirements, structure, and what good information delivery should look like.

Industrializing IFC Delivery. How a large project team handles thousands of IFC files from a supply chain and moves toward a repeatable validation process.

IFC As Structured Data. Why thinking about IFC as a schema changes how you approach geometry, data, validation, reporting, and AI.

Data Lakes And AI Agents. How structured IFC data can connect to data lakes, reporting, and future AI assisted workflows.

Training Through Real Examples. How Simon’s team uses exemplars, runbooks, and regular BIM crew sessions to build internal capability.

Client Requirements And Adoption. Why openBIM adoption becomes more serious when clients ask for structured information that supports long term asset management.

The strongest point from this conversation is that openBIM becomes much more practical when you stop thinking only about CAD files and start thinking about structured data, requirements, and repeatable validation.

Find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petruconduraru/

Questions: petru@bimvoice.com