COBie (Standard)
A structured data format for passing building asset information to facility owners.
Quick Answer
COBie (Construction Operations Building information exchange) is a data standard for capturing the facility and asset information owners need after construction, such as spaces, equipment, systems, and warranties. It is commonly delivered as a spreadsheet and replaces piles of paper closeout documents with structured, searchable data.
The Full Picture
COBie was developed to solve a familiar handover problem: owners receive boxes of closeout documents, but the information that facility teams need, such as what equipment is installed, where it is, and who to call, is buried or missing. COBie defines a consistent structure for that information so it can be loaded into maintenance and asset management systems.
The data is organized in related tables covering items like facilities, floors, spaces, zones, types, components, systems, and documents. A piece of equipment, for instance, has a type with manufacturer and warranty details and individual components tied to the spaces they serve. The common delivery format is a spreadsheet, though the same content can also be carried in IFC-based exchanges.
In the United States, COBie is associated with the National BIM Standard-United States and is referenced by resources such as the Whole Building Design Guide. Whether it is required depends on the contract. Owners, including some public agencies, specify it in their BIM requirements, and the project team then plans who populates which fields and at what stage.
The common failure is treating COBie as a last-minute export. Data collected progressively during design and construction, with clear responsibility for each field, tends to be more complete than data assembled in the final weeks. Quality checks before delivery catch missing or inconsistent entries.
Real Examples
Common Misconceptions
People assume: COBie is a software product.
Actually: COBie is a data standard. Various software tools can export or check it, but the standard itself is the structure of the information.
People assume: COBie is only for projects that use BIM.
Actually: It is often generated from BIM models, but the information can also be collected and entered directly into the structured spreadsheet.
People assume: COBie is required on all projects.
Actually: It is required only when the owner or contract specifies it, so check the project's information requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does COBie stand for?
Construction Operations Building information exchange. It is a structured way of recording facility and asset data for use in operations and maintenance.
What format is COBie delivered in?
It is most commonly delivered as a spreadsheet with multiple related sheets, although the same information can be exchanged through other formats such as IFC.
Who fills in COBie data?
Responsibility is set by the project's information requirements. Designers typically supply space and type data, and contractors and subcontractors supply product and component details.
Is COBie the same as IFC?
No. IFC is an open schema for exchanging building model data, while COBie is a specific set of handover information. COBie data can be expressed using IFC.
Does COBie replace closeout documents?
It structures much of the asset information, but projects may still deliver documents like warranties and manuals, which COBie records can reference.