Digital product data and information management on the STEP programme: 5 key insights for contractors
In recent discussions with Majenta’s information management and digital construction leads, we’ve been exploring how digital product data and structured information management are evolving from supporting disciplines into foundational requirements on major energy programmes and the UK’s STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) prototype is one of the clearest examples yet.
STEP represents a first-of-a-kind engineering endeavour, bringing together complex tokamak systems, cryogenics, tritium handling, power conversion and novel materials under tight regulatory and safety constraints. With design maturation progressing rapidly, prototyping activities advancing, and the digital backbone for the future West Burton plant taking shape, the need for consistent, queryable and auditable product data has never been greater. Against this backdrop, information management has moved from a “nice to have” to a core delivery discipline.
Our experts have been tracking how UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) and the wider STEP team are now embedding digital product data and information management expectations into procurement and delivery processes, what good practice looks like on programmes of this scale, and how contractors can quickly build the capability required.
Information management has shifted from optional to client-driven on STEP
Over the past year we’ve observed a noticeable change in how information requirements are specified on landmark fusion and advanced energy projects. Rather than Majenta introducing structured information management as an added service, UKIFS and the STEP programme are now referencing it directly in procurement notices, tender documentation and digital delivery expectations from the outset.
“We’re seeing information management and digital product data requirements appear much earlier in the process. Clients want confidence that data will be structured, traceable and ready for downstream use, not just during design but through prototyping, construction and into operations.”— Information Management Lead, Majenta
This shift reflects growing recognition across the sector that poor information control creates real programme risk on complex, long-duration projects. STEP’s digital ambitions, including its Plant Information Management System (PIMS) and emerging digital twin vision, have accelerated this expectation.
It’s no longer just about documents, it’s about structured, queryable product data
Traditional approaches to information management often focused on producing and exchanging documents. On STEP, the emphasis has moved firmly towards structured digital product data that can be queried, validated and reused across multiple systems and stakeholders.
By establishing clear naming conventions, classification systems, status and revision workflows, and defined levels of information need, the programme can reduce ambiguity, improve decision-making and minimise the risk of missing or non-compliant data at key milestones.
“It’s not enough to deliver a model or a report. The real value comes when the underlying data is consistent, machine-readable and aligned to the project’s information requirements. That’s what enables reliable progress tracking, clash resolution and eventual handover.”— Digital Construction Lead, Majenta
This approach is particularly powerful on a first-of-a-kind project where designs are evolving and multiple disciplines must work from a single, trusted source of truth.
Demand is rising for integrated platforms and digital twin-ready data
As STEP advances, the limitations of siloed data environments are becoming clear. The programme’s adoption of an integrated platform approach (notably the expansion of the 3DEXPERIENCE environment for PIMS) is driving the need for information that is not only well-structured but also interoperable and ready to feed into broader digital twin ambitions.
Contractors are increasingly being asked to deliver data in formats and structures that support both current delivery needs and future operational use. This includes consistent asset information strategies, clear exchange requirements and early consideration of how data will transition from design through prototyping and into the operational phase.
“We’re seeing clients look beyond static deliverables. They want data that can evolve with the project and ultimately support a digital twin. That changes how we think about classification, metadata and information exchange from day one.”— Information Management Lead, Majenta
STEP is setting new expectations for asset information and handover readiness
Because STEP is a prototype that must demonstrate not only technical performance but also the viability of fusion as a scalable energy source, the quality and completeness of asset information at handover is under particular scrutiny.
Early definition of Asset Information Requirements (AIR), consistent asset data registers, and robust COBie-style or equivalent data exchange processes are becoming essential. This ensures that when the plant moves from construction and commissioning into operations, the receiving teams have reliable, structured data rather than fragmented records.
Contractors who can demonstrate strong information management capability;, including model auditing, data validation and documentation production aligned to ISO 19650 principles are better positioned to support these outcomes and reduce the risk of handover issues later in the programme.
Government strategy and UKIFS procurement frameworks are accelerating adoption
The drive towards robust digital product data and information management on STEP is being reinforced by the UK Government’s fusion strategy and UKIFS’s structured approach to procurement through the Delta e-Sourcing portal. Clear expectations around information exchange, digital delivery planning and compliance with recognised standards (such as ISO 19650) are now appearing across multiple work packages.
When these requirements are stated upfront, it becomes significantly easier for contractors and the supply chain to align their systems, processes and teams. This top-down clarity is helping to create consistency across the programme and reducing the friction that often arises when different parties work to different information standards.
Bridging the information management capability and capacity gap
Demand for practitioners who understand both complex energy and nuclear environments and the specific information challenges of first-of-a-kind fusion projects has grown quickly. For many contractors, developing this depth of capability internally takes time that STEP’s delivery schedule does not always allow.
Majenta’s partnership and embedded resource model offers a practical solution. We can place experienced information managers, BIM and digital delivery specialists, and data quality experts directly into client or contractor teams, helping you meet UKIFS requirements from the outset, produce compliant deliverables, and build lasting internal capability through coaching and targeted workshops.
If you are preparing bids for STEP-related packages, need to strengthen your information management offering for UKIFS opportunities, or want to embed proven expertise quickly on an upcoming work package, get in touch with our team.
Get in touch to discuss how Majenta can support your STEP journey with practical, delivery-focused digital product data and information management expertise.
