Digital Engineering Terms and

Definitions
December 2022
DMS-SD-123 | Version: 4.2 | Document owner: Director Digital Twin Integration

Introduction
This glossary contains terms and definitions used in the Digital Engineering (DE) suite of
documents.
The terms listed in this glossary align with the terms and definitions provided in the TfNSW
Asset Management Branch (AMB) Glossary (accessible to Transport for NSW staff only).

Terms and definitions

Jump to:
Number - A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

Term Definition Reference

Number

2D 2-dimensional representation of an object or -

asset with associated geometrical information
attached to it in a traditional drawing-based
format, often referred as a CAD drawing.
3D BIM 3-dimensional representation of an element or -
asset representing its geometrical (graphical)
and non-geometrical (non-graphical)
information. Referred to generally in the Digital
Engineering (DE) Framework as the BIM model.
4D BIM 4-dimensional – links time (schedule) related -
data to a BIM model.
5D BIM 5-dimensional – links cost related data to a BIM -
model.
6D BIM 6-dimensional – links asset information to a BIM -
model.
A

archive Component of the common data environment AS ISO 19650.1:2019

(CDE) used to hold a journal of all information
containers that have been shared and published
during the information management process as
well as an audit trail of their development.

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Term Definition Reference

AR/VR Computer-generated simulation of a three- DMS-SD-130
Augmented Reality / dimensional image or environment that can be
Virtual Reality interacted with a seemingly real or physical way
by a person using special electronic equipment,
such as a helmet with a screen inside or gloves
fitted with sensors.
ASA Former name for Asset Management Branch TfNSW
(AMB).
As-Built / Works As Drawings that reflect the final work as executed TfNSW
Executed and not the changes that have occurred during
the design stages.
asset Item, object or entity that has potential or actual ISO 55000:2014
value to an organisation.
asset classification A standardised method of identifying and -
grouping assets. Asset classification is
comprised of asset type or element, based on
the Uniclass Elements/ Functions (EF) and
Products (Pr) tables, and asset system, based on
the Uniclass Systems (Ss) table.
asset custodian The party (typically a customer division) with TfNSW
end-to-end accountability for a portfolio of
assets.
asset information Data or information relating to the specification, TfNSW
design, construction or acquisition, operation
and maintenance and disposal or
decommissioning of an asset.
asset information model Data and information that relates to assets to a AS ISO 19650.1:2019
(AIM) level required to support an organisation’s asset
management system.
Often initiated from the Project Information
Model on asset handover.
asset information Data and information requirements of the AS ISO 19650.1:2019
requirements (AIR) organisation in relation to the asset(s) it is
responsible for.
asset life cycle An asset’s life cycle is its evolution from need -
identification through to disposal and
decommissioning.
asset management Coordinated set of intelligent activities for an ISO 55000:2014
organisation to realise value from their assets.
Asset Management Asset Management Branch is an independent TfNSW
Branch (AMB) unit within Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and is
the network design and standards authority for
defined NSW transport assets. Formerly the
Asset Standards Authority (ASA).

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Term Definition Reference

Asset Management The standards, plans, processes, procedures, TfNSW
Branch (AMB) instructions, requirements and guidance
requirements material (in whatever form) published externally
or notified in the exercise of its functions
including but not limited to any:
• network and asset standards (including
both technical and maintenance standards);
• requirements for policies and processes in
relation to AMB authorisation
• asset management plans, systems and
processes
• configuration control processes
• asset and configuration data condition
requirements
• asset and condition reporting requirements.
Asset Management Defines how the requirements of the Transport TfNSW
Framework (AMF) Asset Management Policy are deployed, and
enables Transport to manage the need for, and
performance of, assets and asset systems over
the full asset life cycle.
asset management Management system for asset management ISO 55000:2014
system whose function is to establish the asset
management policy and asset management
objectives.
In the TfNSW context, this is the Asset
Management Framework.
asset reference A brief description of an asset, used to help -
identify the asset and saved in the DE asset
register.
asset register Record of asset inventory considered worthy of TfNSW
separate identification including associated
historical, condition, construction, technical and
financial information about each asset.
See also Digital Engineering (DE) asset register.
asset steward The party given the responsibility by a custodian TfNSW
to oversee part of the life cycle process for an
asset.
attribute A piece of data forming a partial description of PAS 1192-2:2013
an object or entity.
Australian Height Datum A geodetic datum for altitude measurement in -
(AHD) Australia.

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Term Definition Reference

B

Before You Dig Australia BYDA is the established national organisation for BYDA
(BYDA) Before You Dig members (formerly known as Dial
Before You Dig) that provides the free pre-
excavation referral service for the Australian
community. BYDA provides a single point of
contact to request information about any
infrastructure networks at your planned project
site without needing to contact utility
organisations individually.
BIM model 3-dimensional digital representation of grouped -
assets represented by geometrical information
contained within a model. The BIM model also
contains non-geometrical information. The BIM
models are typically developed for each
discipline in native format.
building information Process of designing and constructing a building TfNSW
modelling (BIM) or infrastructure asset using object-based 3D
modelling.
business discipline A functional grouping that provides system-wide -
(not asset specific) classification of tasks,
activities, deliverables or data, based on the
business unit responsible.
For example, sustainability, scheduling,
contracts administration, etc.
business requirements The document in which business goals and T MU AM 06010 GU
specification (BRS) stakeholder requirements are documented.
C

Clash rendition / Rendition of the native format model file to be PAS 1192-2:2013
detection used specifically for spatial coordination of
discipline data (used to achieve clash avoidance
or to be used for clash detection).
This is the process of ‘federating’ discipline
models for the purpose of design and
construction coordination.
classification Systematic arrangement of headings and sub- PAS 1192-2:2013
headings for aspects of construction work
including the nature of assets, construction
elements, systems and products.
Uniclass has been adopted as the basis of
TfNSW’s classification system for use during the
Planning and Create/Acquire phases.
common data A CDE is a collective name given to a group of TfNSW
environment (CDE) integrated IT systems within an organisation that
enables users to store, collaborate and
exchange information and data. In accordance
with the DE Framework concept of CDE, for
TfNSW projects the CDE is divided into two
parts: TfNSW-CDE and Contractor-CDE

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Term Definition Reference

computer aided drafting A computer aided drafting software application -
(CAD) with ability to design, draw and output drawings
from the software.
configuration Project milestones throughout the asset life -
management framework cycle used to control and manage network
baseline and review gate configuration changes.
Different submission deliverables are required
for each review gate.
construction operations Structured information for the commissioning, PAS 1192-2:2013
building information operation and maintenance of an asset, often in PAS 1192-3:2014
exchange (COBie) neutral spreadsheet format, that will be used to
BS 1192-4: 2014
supply data to the organisation to populate
decision making tools, facilities management
and enterprise asset management (EAM)
systems.
cost breakdown A breakdown of project expenditure that -
structure (CBS) provides meaningful groupings of capital (and
sometimes operational) expenditure.
The CBS is often associated with the lowest
level of the work breakdown structure (WBS).
Create/Acquire phase Design, build, integrate and accept stage of a TfNSW
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) asset life cycle.
D

Demand/Need phase Stage of an asset where the strategy is in place -

to execute a process prior to appointing a team.
design and construct A method to deliver a project in which design -
(D&C) and construction are contracted by a single
entity.
design company The party responsible for carrying out the design -
and drawing content on the drawing.
Digital Engineering (DE) A collaborative way of working, using digital TfNSW
processes, to enable more productive methods
of planning, designing, constructing, operating
and maintaining assets.
Digital Engineering (DE) A record of identified asset inventory that DMS-FT-537
asset register relates an asset to the digital engineering
project data building blocks concepts.
Digital Engineering A plan that delivers and explains how the digital TfNSW
Execution Plan (DEXP) information management aspects of the
appointment will be carried out by the
contractor over the design and construction
stages of a project.
Digital Engineering An integrated management system that TfNSW
Framework (DEF) comprises of a set of documents including
standards, guidelines, templates and training
that provide the strategy to support a culture
that enables the implementation of Digital
Engineering.

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Term Definition Reference

Digital Engineering The Digital Engineering Standard is the lead TfNSW
Standard (DES) document in the DE Framework, providing the
minimum requirements for the adoption of
Digital Engineering processes.
digital twin Digital model of a real-life object, process or DMS-ST-202
system. The digital model can be informed by
historical data and fed with live sensor data to
make the digital model a ‘twin’ of the real-life
E

engineering company The TAO responsible for the design on the -

drawing.
enterprise asset Also referred to as an enterprise asset TfNSW
management (EAM) management (EAM) system, which is a
computerised system, or software that enables
asset management and/or maintenance
management data and activities.
Enterprise Content A tool (system/software) for storing, retrieving, PAS 1192-2:2013
Management (ECM) sharing and otherwise managing electronic PAS 1192-3:2014
documents.
Also referred to as enterprise document
management (EDM) tool or project data and
collaboration system (PDCS).
enterprise document See Enterprise Content Management (ECM). -
management (EDM)
exchange information Production, management and characteristic AS ISO 19650.1:2019
requirements (EIR) requirements for information to be submitted
under a contract.
F

federated model Federation of the discipline 3D model data into a -

combined model for coordination including all
geometrical and non-geometrical information.
federation The amalgamation of discipline (task based) 3D TfNSW
model data.
G

Geographic Information A system to capture, store, manipulate, analyse, -

Systems (GIS) manage, and present all types of geographical
data. GIS software can include 2D and 3D
geometry data.
geometrical information Information in a digital model that relates to the AS ISO 19650.1:2019
physical geometry only.
geotech Data and practices pertaining to the engineering -
of soil and rock.
globally unique identifier A unique identification number automatically -
(GUID) produced for each object within the BIM model
by the authoring software.

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Term Definition Reference

H

handover DE asset Required information from the project to be DMS-FT-537

register maintained/developed during the operations and
maintenance phase.
I

Industry Foundation Industry Foundation Classes is a specification buildingSMART

Classes (IFC) for open BIM to support an open standard for International
information exchange. Maintained by
buildingSMART International.
information exchange Structured collection of information at one of a PAS 1192-2:2013
number of predefined stages of a project with
defined format and fidelity.
information management Tasks and procedures applied to in-putting, PAS 1192-2:2013
processing and generation activities to ensure
accuracy and integrity of information.
information model A data set consisting of documentation, PAS 1192-2:2013
geometrical (graphical) and non-geometrical
(non-graphical) data.
Information models are linked together using a
common data structure (schemas) and
classification system.
inspection test plan (ITP) Plan outlining the required inspections or tests -
to be carried out to control quality of the project
during construction. The ITP also forms a
checklist where a log of inspections and tests
can be recorded.
J

- - -
K

- - -
L

level of definition (LOD) The collective term used for and including the PAS 1192-2:2013
'level of detail' (graphical/geometrical) and 'level
of information' (non-graphical/ non-geometrical).
This is equivalent to the US BIM Forum (Building
SMART US Chapter) Level of Development.
level of detail (LoD) Level of detail is the amount of geometrical PS 1192-2:2013
(graphical) information contained in a 3D model.
level of information (LoI) Level of information is the amount of non- PS 1192-2:2013
geometrical (non-graphical) data embedded
within an information model.
location classification Location classifications identify and group -
places and spaces. They are used to indicate
where an asset is in relation to other assets
and/or where activities take place.

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Term Definition Reference

M

maintenance managed The level of the asset hierarchy at which an T MU AM 02001 ST

item (MMI) asset is individually maintained or at which
management decisions to repair, renew or
replace are made.
The lowest level of the asset hierarchy where an
asset is to be included in the handover DE asset
register.
Determined by the conditions set out in T MU AM
02001 ST – Asset Information and Register
Requirements, Version 4.0, Section 9.4, Creation
of assets in the asset register.
Master Information A document in which the contractor identifies all -
Delivery Plan (MIDP) of the information deliverables that will be
submitted as part of the contract scope, and
provides sufficient information about each item
to manage delivery effectively.
metadata Information/data used for the description and TfNSW
management of all geometrical (graphical) and
non-geometrical (non-graphical) on a project.
Model Production and A schedule of elements noted in a spreadsheet PAS 1192-2:2013
Delivery Table (MPDT) format to define the level of model detail
(geometrical) and the level of model information
(non-geometrical) per element at any given
stage of a project.
N

non-geometrical (non- Information that relates to the data stored or AS ISO 19650.1:2019
graphical) information linked to BIM models.
O

Operate/Maintain phase The phase of the life cycle of an asset during TfNSW
which the asset is used, operated and
maintained.
organisational Data and information requirements to achieve AS ISO 19650.1.2019
information requirements the organisation’s high level strategic objectives.
(OIR)
organisation information Data and Information from across all -
model (OIM) departments of the organisation that provides an
information data model as defined by the OIR.
The information in the OIM is used to assess
performance against the organisational
objectives and inform high-level strategic
decision-making.
P

Planning phase The Concept, Specify and Procurement stages -

of the asset life cycle. Usually occurs within a
capital project.

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Term Definition Reference

principal design party An engineering organisation that is authorised to -
take responsibility, on behalf of TfNSW, for
assuring their engineering services or products.
The principal design party may also be referred
to as TAO, lead designer or internal TfNSW
authoriser.
In the context of PAS 1192-2:2013 a TAO can be
referred to as a task team author of their
dedicated information.
professional services Consultancy offering professional services to TfNSW
contractor (PSC) TfNSW.
project data and See Enterprise Content Management (ECM). -
collaboration system
(PDCS)
Project Data Building The master data and management tool used to -
Blocks (PDBB) standardise and manage common language and
coding. It is also used to generate Project Data
Schemas.
Project Data Schema The configuration specification and specific -
(PDS) project data to be adopted from the Project Data
Building Blocks for a DE discipline deliverable.
Project Data Schemas When a reference is made to more than one PDS, -
(PDSs) the abbreviation is PDSs.
project DEXP The generic DEXP template updated to reflect -
project specific requirements, data standards
and ways of working.
project information Information model developed during the design PAS 1192-2:2013
model (PIM) and construction phase of a project. PAS 1192-3:2014
The PIM contains geometric and non-geometric
data and can be accessed by both the
Contractor and TfNSW via the CDE.
project information Equivalent to Employer’s Information PAS 1192-2:2013
requirements (PIR) Requirements, renamed for the TfNSW context. TfNSW
The information to be delivered and the
standards and processes to be adopted by the
supplier as part of the project delivery process.
In a TfNSW context, project information
requirements are specified in the Project
Contract and the Works or Services Brief.
public private A PPP allows governments and the private National PPP Policy
partnership (PPP) sector to work together and share resources. A Framework
PPP is generally considered for projects with a
capital cost of more than $50 million.
published Component of the common data environment AS ISO 19650.1:2019
(CDE) used for information that has been
authorised for use.
Q

- - -

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Term Definition Reference

R

Renew/Dispose phase The last phase in the asset life cycle. The end of TfNSW
life of a given asset.
request for information Formal project specific process, whereby the -
(RFI) Contractor may request specific information
from TfNSW. The project-specific process
should be documented in the DEXP.
S

Safety, Environment and Business unit of Transport for NSW. The Asset TfNSW
Regulation (SER) Management Branch (AMB) is part of SER.
safe work method Health and safety risk assessment. -
statement (SWMS)
schema The specific metadata fields and values to be -
complied with during the creation of DE project
data.
service provider An organisation outside of TfNSW offering and TfNSW
delivering a service.
shared The shared area of the CDE is where the AS ISO 19650.1:2019
information is approved for sharing between
Contractor and TfNSW.
specification The specific fields and configuration, including -
data formats, masks and business rules that are
to be complied with during the creation of DE
project data.
submission A set or package of deliverables, of varying -
detail, required at each of the configuration
management gates.
system requirements An SRS document lists all of the requirements at T MU AM 06010 GU
specification (SRS) the system level that describe the functions
which the system as a whole should fulfil to
satisfy the stakeholder needs and requirements
(BRS). It is expressed in an appropriate
combination of textual statements, views and
non-functional requirements; the latter
expressing the levels of safety, security and
reliability that will be necessary.
T

technical discipline A functional grouping that provides asset -

specific classification of tasks, activities,
deliverables or data, based on the engineering
unit responsible. For example, civil or electrical
technical disciplines.

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Term Definition Reference

Technically Assured An engineering organisation, typically for rail TfNSW
Organisation (TAO) projects, that is authorised to take responsibility,
on behalf of TfNSW, for assuring their
engineering services or products.
For non-rail projects, the use of ‘TAO’ is
synonymous with Principal Design Party, lead
designer or internal TfNSW authoriser.
Transport agency Transport agencies who work across the TfNSW
Transport cluster which include:
• State Transit Authority
• NSW TrainLink
• Sydney Trains
• Sydney Metro
Transport cluster The Transport cluster is made up of an extended TfNSW
network of government agencies and private
organisations which work together to deliver
transport services.
Transport for New South Organisation who leads the development of safe, TfNSW
Wales (TfNSW) integrated and efficient transport systems for
the people of NSW. TfNSW customers are at the
centre of all activities, including transport
planning, strategy, policy, procurement and
other non-service delivery functions across all
modes of transport – roads, rail, ferries, light rail
and point to point.
U

Uniclass A unified classification system covering all NBS

construction sectors and items for the
construction industry.
V

Visualisation Use of computer graphics and image processing ISO/IEC AWI 30173
to present models or characteristics of
processes or objects.
W

work breakdown The WBS decomposes or subdivides the scope -

structure (WBS) into more discreet and manageable, deliverable-
based packages of works. This provides the
framework from which the project management
and project control systems will be set up to
facilitate the tracking and reporting of the
project status and cost (CBS).
The primary method used for grouping, sorting
and organising project scope.
work in progress (WIP) The WIP area of the CDE is used for information AS ISO 19650.1:2019
that is being developed by the project team.
work packages Standard grouping mechanism to group design, -
supply, construction or commissioning activities
into logical scope packages.

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Term Definition Reference

work zone Manageable spatial subdivision of a project, -
defined by the project team as a subdivision of
the overall project, that allows more than one
person to work on the project model
simultaneously. It is consistent with the analysis
and design process.
X

- - -
Y

- - -
Z

- - -

Document history
Version Published date Summary of changes
1.0 September 2018 Interim Approach Issue
1.1 - Minor updates
2.0 April 2019 Project Data Building Blocks, minor updates
3.0 October 2019 Minor updates
4.0 November 2020 Updated for road assets
4.1 April 2021 Minor updates. Alignment with Release 4.0 DE Standards
4.2 December 2022 Minor updates. Alignment with Release 4.1 DE Standards

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