How ISO 19650 Information Management Drives Project Success
In the modern construction sector, effectively managing information is critical for efficiency, safety, compliance and long-term success. But whether you're dealing with buildings, infrastructure, or utilities, the sheer volume of data generated throughout an asset's lifecycle can be overwhelming.
Enter ISO 19650, which provides an internationally recognised, standardised framework to bring order to this complexity, ensuring the right information gets to the right people at the right time.
This standard moves the industry beyond thinking solely about 3D models towards a more comprehensive, process-driven approach to Information Management across the entire asset lifecycle. And the benefits are numerous — more efficient project delivery, more profitable contracts, and improved quality and safety in the built environment.
To learn more about ISO 19650, BIM and information management in a data-first age, you can view our recent webinar here: ISO 19650 – The Global Standard for Information Management in Construction
You can find more in-depth discussion on trends in digital construction in our upcoming webinars
Beyond models: embracing holistic information management
While BIM is a vital component of ISO 19650 (it’s right there in the name of the standard itself) it’s just one part of a bigger picture. True Information Management, as defined in the standard, is a structured process which covers the whole information journey: from how it’s specified and generated, to how it’s coordinated, stored, shared, and validated. And this applies to all project information – not only 3D models, but asset data, project schedules, safety information and compliance-related documentation.
ISO 19650 provides a framework that spans the full lifecycle of a built asset. It starts with initial strategic planning and concept design, continuing to the design and construction phase. But crucially, post-handover, it continues into operations, maintenance, and eventual decommissioning, ensuring operational benefits are realised by specifying and delivering the right amount of information at the right time.
Driving collaboration and efficiency with standardisation
ISO 19650 defines standardised processes, such as the Common Data Environment (CDE) workflow. A CDE acts as a single source of truth, preventing confusion that is too often caused by multiple competing versions of documents being shared and consulted. Instead, information moves through clear stages (Work in Progress -> Shared -> Published -> Archived) with defined status codes indicating its purpose (e.g., for review, for information, for approval).
Metadata attached to information provides vital additional context. For any given item, all stakeholders can see who issued it, when, for what purpose, and what revision it is. This structured approach significantly improves coordination and reduces ambiguity for more efficient collaboration between teams and disciplines.
Enhancing quality, reducing risk, and optimising costs
Poor information management is a major source of risk and cost in construction and asset operations, but as we discussed in our webinar, ISO 19650 directly tackles this. By requiring clear Information Requirements (like Organisational, Project, Asset, and Exchange Information Requirements) to be defined upfront, clients can set clear expectations for what data is needed, why, and when.
This allows for structured validation checks throughout the project, usually facilitated by an Information Manager role. Issues like clashes or data inconsistencies can be caught early, mitigating the need for costly rework during construction or resolving problems discovered only after handover.
In the operational phase, having easily accessible, accurate information (like health and safety details or asset maintenance history) dramatically reduces operational risks and prevents the common "degradation" of information quality over time.
Future-proofing assets and ensuring compliance
The information generated during design and construction (the Project Information Model, or PIM) isn't just for the build phase. Under ISO 19650, it's structured to feed seamlessly into the Asset Information Model (AIM), the validated data resource used during the asset's operational life. This creates a durable digital record – a 'logbook' for the asset.
This aligns directly with the principles of the "Golden Thread" of information mandated by initiatives like the Building Safety Act. ISO 19650 helps ensure information is accurate, accessible, secure, understandable, and maintained throughout the asset's life. The standard also promotes Open BIM formats like IFC (Industry Foundation Classes), preventing data from being locked into proprietary software systems and ensuring long-term usability and interoperability.
Gaining a competitive advantage in a maturing market
Achieving ISO 19650 compliance is more than ticking a box, it’s rapidly becoming a commercial imperative. Already mandated by major UK public sector bodies, ISO 19650 is increasingly required on private sector projects. Demonstrating this capability in tenders and PQQs is therefore a significant competitive advantage.
At Majenta, we’ve been helping construction sector organisations of all sizes achieve ISO 19650 compliance since the standard was published in 2019. If you’re looking to invest in better collaboration, higher quality outputs, reduced risk, enhanced safety, and optimised long-term asset value, we can help. Get in touch using the link below to learn more.
