Overview
The BIM Fit Check is a public event run by buildingSMART Deutschland. Software vendors work through a defined scenario and continuously receive technical guidance and feedback. The expert jury checks whether the software correctly implements the standard for the chosen, specific use case: verifiably, not approximately.
Štefan Jaud has led the technical side of the BIM Fit Check since its first edition, working with the jury to develop the test models and evaluation criteria, coordinating the jury, and resolving any technical difficulties in implementation or standard interpretation during the event.
The BIM Fit Check and Jaud IT's consulting work draw on the same knowledge base. For example, writing the test criteria for IFC georeferencing in software and solving IFC georeferencing on an infrastructure project are the same work, just framed differently.
There is a familiar deadlock in IFC implementation. Clients don’t require correct georeferencing or alignment data in IFC files because they’ve learned that most software can’t deliver it reliably. Software vendors don’t invest in fixing it because nobody writes it into their contracts. Engineers can’t produce compliant models because the tools aren’t there. Nobody moves first.
The BIM Fit Check is buildingSMART Deutschland’s answer to that deadlock. It works like a live integration test in public: software companies prepare for months with technical support from IFC experts, then demonstrate their product’s implementation in front of a jury and an audience. If the software passes, the company gets a digital badge and public recognition. The standard gets validated. And the excuses run out.
Timeline
1st phase "FIT": The months before
The challenge day is just the last step. Getting there takes months of preparation. The test models and evaluation criteria are developed jointly with the jury members. We run weekly technical support calls, working through IFC implementation details with all participating companies. The goal is not to catch anyone out - it is to get the standard correctly implemented before the camera is on.
2nd phase "CHECK": Independent evaluation
A month before the event, the jury holds individual sessions with every participating software vendor, testing their product against not yet seen, specially curated datasets. The jury works through each criterion on the list and assigns follow-up tasks where something needs improvement before the final presentation.
3rd phase "DEMO": Public demonstration
As the final step, participants present their software live to a public audience, demonstrating the data exchanges defined by the use case and showing that the standard is correctly implemented.
Rounds
Round 1 — May 8, 2025, Essen — IFC Georeferencing
Six companies tested correct coordinate reference system handling in IFC 4.3. Held at the 22nd buildingSMART-Anwendertag. More →
Round 2 — September 23, 2025, Berlin — Alignment exchange and georeferencing in IFC
Two use cases ran in parallel for the first time. Nine companies, all passed. Held at the buildingSMART International Summit. More →
Round 3 — May 13, 2026, Berlin — BIM Collaboration Format (BCF)
Six companies tested their support for round-tripping BCF 3.0 files. Held at the 23rd buildingSMART-Anwendertag. More →