Short answer: LOD (level of development) describes how reliable an element’s geometry is; LOI (level of information) describes the data it carries. Specify both, per element and per stage.
“Model it to LOD 300” is one of the most common instructions in BIM, and one of the most misunderstood. Teams often mean different things by it, and the difference only shows up when the model is used.
Level of development
Level of development (LOD) describes how far an element has progressed and how much it can be relied on. The commonly used scale runs from 100 to 500:
- 100: conceptual, a mass or symbol.
- 200: approximate size, shape and location.
- 300: precise size, shape, location and orientation.
- 400: detail for fabrication, assembly and installation.
- 500: field-verified, representing what was built.
Level of information
Level of information (LOI) describes the non-graphical data an element carries: type names, materials, fire ratings, manufacturer, asset tags and so on. A geometrically precise door is of little use to a facilities team if it has no door number or hardware set.
Specify both, per element
Different elements often need different levels at the same stage. Structural columns may need high precision early, while furniture stays generic. A simple element matrix that lists category, required geometry, required parameters and who is responsible removes most of the guesswork.
TipName the parameters you need, not just the level. “Fire rating, door number, hardware set” is more useful than “LOI 3”.
Check it at review
Agree how compliance will be checked: which views, which schedules, and which sample elements. Reviews are faster when everyone is checking against the same list.