CIBSE's new Knowledge delivery system: FAQs

What is CIBSE's new Knowledge delivery system?

The new Knowledge delivery system is a platform that will display CIBSE's guidance as a series of linked web pages, rather than as PDFs (though we will continue to produce PDFs that are very similar to those we publish now).

The system will be structured by topic. This structure will be based on CIBSE's Knowledge Matrix, which you can view at www.cibse.org/knowledgematrix.

The goal is to ensure that there is a single source of truth (SSoT) for every topic, and to eliminate circular referencing, repetition, and conflict within CIBSE's guidance.

Have members been asked for their views about the new system?

Yes, consultation has been ongoing with members of the Knowledge Management Committee and the Knowledge Generation Panel since 2022. In addition, all volunteers closely involved with Knowledge - mainly authors - were invited to complete a survey in 2023 so that we could shape the new system around their wants, needs and concerns.

Once the new system has been built, authors will be asked for their views again - and all feedback will be gratefully received. This is likely to take place throughout October 2024.

I'm an author. Will I need to write in a different way?

No, or at least not much. There are two aspects of the new system that might slightly alter the way that you approach your project:

1. Sections

The new system will be made up of modular sections of guidance that can be compiled in different ways, a bit like lego bricks. This means that sections might be read in any order, so every section of guidance must be self-contained.

(For our purposes, a 'section' is an item of guidance with a heading. It may be only one paragraph, or it could run to a page or so, and could have sub-headings. We would suggest that any section longer than a page and a half should be split into smaller sections).

2. Definitions of key terms

Key terms will be removed to an over-arching glossary. This means that if in the course of writing your guidance, you feel it necessary to define something - for example, a heat pump - you will likely find that this definition already exists. This way, CIBSE will have only one comprehensive definition of a heat pump, which can be linked to from any item of guidance - whether it is design guidance, a code of practice, or an explanation of building physics.

In writing your guidance, please follow the advice set out in www.cibse.org/guidancenotesforauthors.

How is the new system being built? Is it part of the CIBSE website?

The new system is being built using a software product called MadCap Flare, a topic-based authoring system. It will be exported to appear as a website of its very own, clearly linked to from www.cibse.org.

Is it a wiki?

No, it is not a wiki.

The new system is similar to Wikipedia in that the content is divided into sections that can be read in any order, and that there is little need for sections such as 'Scope', 'Purpose', 'How to use this Document', 'Preamble', and yes, even 'Introduction'.

However it is NOT like Wikipedia in two very important aspects:

While there will be a mechanism for feedback, it will not be possible for readers to edit content. Editing control rests firmly with the CIBSE Knowledge Department - no content will be displayed that has not been through CIBSE's rigorous quality assurance and peer review process.
While hyperlinks will undoubtedly appear in some places, they will be used sparingly.

When will the new system go live?

The new system will go live for members only at the end of 2024. Not all topics will be covered right away - we plan to launch a few topics this year, and iterate as we gradually revise and update all items of CIBSE guidance.

I like PDFs. Why is CIBSE changing its Knowledge delivery system?

The main purpose of the new system is to create a single source of truth (SSoT) for all guidance and to eliminate circular referencing, repetition, and conflict within CIBSE's guidance. However we will continue to produce PDFs that are very similar to those we publish now.

If you access CIBSE guidance via the Construction Information Service, Barbour EHS, Knovel or Perlego, it will only be available in PDF. The new system will be accessible only via CIBSE's website.

Will the new system be free for CIBSE Members to access?

Yes.

Will authors, contributors and peer reviewers be acknowledged?

Absolutely! CIBSE Knowledge could not exist without CIBSE members and other subject matter experts, who not only support but shape and lead our strategy.

All authors, contributors and peer reviewers will be acknowledged at the bottom of each section of guidance, in an accordion-style drop-down menu, so that the names will become visible with one click.

Where sections of guidance are based on revisions of existing publications, the authors and contributors of previous editions will also be listed.

In PDF outputs, authors, contributors and peer reviewers will be acknowledged in the same way that they are acknowledged currently.

Will CIBSE continue to publish PDFs?

Yes, CIBSE will continue to publish PDFs that are very similar to those we publish now. All new material will be available both in the new system and in PDF.

If you access CIBSE guidance via the Construction Information Service, Barbour EHS, Knovel or Perlego, it will only be available in PDF. The new system will be accessible only via CIBSE's website.

Will CIBSE continue to publish books in hard copy?

No, CIBSE will no longer print new material.

We do however still hold stock of existing publications, and those that are not out of date will continue to be available for purchase on our website.

Will CIBSE guidance still be available via the Construction Information Service, Barbour EHS, Knovel and/or Perlego)?

Yes. Access to CIBSE guidance for users of the Construction Information Service (IHS), Barbour EHS, Knovel and Perlego will not change in any way - it will still be available in PDF format. The new system will be accessible only via CIBSE's website.