The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 19650 is a series of standards that provides guidelines and requirements for the organization and management of information within the construction industry, specifically for Building Information Modelling (BIM). These standards are designed to ensure consistency, security and interoperability in BIM processes and data exchange on a global scale.
ISO 19650 series is comprised of published 5 documents, with one being under development. ISO 19650-1 describes the principles and concepts, ISO 19650-2 presents the information management process for the delivery phase, ISO 19650-3 focuses on the asset's operational phase, ISO 19650-4 defines the processes and criteria for information exchanges and ISO 19650-5 addresses the security of information. ISO 19650-6 addresses health and safety issues and is not yet published.
ISO 19650-2 has also a provision for a National Annex to adjust to local regional conditions. Only a few countries have developed a national Annex while others are using formally or informally the UK National Annex included in the BS EN ISO 19650-2.
ISO 19650 documents are based on the principles of a currently redrawn PAS or a British standard, as part of the BIM Level 2 UK suite of documents. (BS 1192: 2007 + A2: 2016, PAS 1192-2: 2013, PAS 1192-3: 2014 PAS 1192-4: 2014 PAS 1192-5: 2015 PAS 1192-6: 2018 BS 1192-4: 2014 BS 8536-1: 2015 BS 8536-2: 2016). The UK BIM standards published by the British Standards Institution, BSI supported the development of the ISO 19650 standards and provided guidance and best practice into the global BIM implementation.
ISO 19650 publications include recommendations, guidelines, activities, tasks, diagrams, and a step-by-step approach towards digital processes that support the flow of information for the whole lifecycle of the asset.
ISO 19650 is implemented in the life cycle of the asset and is linked to ISO 55000 and ISO 21500, the standards for project and asset management and ISO 9001, the standard for the organizational management.
ISO 19650-1
ISO 19650-1 describes the concepts and principles of information management. ISO 19650- part 1 removes barriers to the collaborative process, enhances cross-border tendering and reduces risk and cost through the use of asset models. The document describes the framework for collaboration, the introduction to the Common Data Environment, the information management functions and the information requirements.
Why use this standard?
Remove barriers to collaborative working.
Enhance competitive tendering across borders.
Reduce risk and cost with the use of the asset and project information models.
Who is this standard for?
Those involved in the procurement, design, construction and/or commissioning of built assets.
Those involved in delivering asset management activities, including operations and maintenance.
ISO 19650‑1 is applicable to built assets and construction projects of all sizes and all levels of complexity.
ISO 19650-2
ISO 19650-2 specifies the process of the management of information for the project delivery phase. This document helps the owner define the information requirements and determines the right commercial and collaborative environment for information production. The document also describes in detail the activities and tasks of the project parties at each project stage, from the Assessment and need, to the Project close out.
Why use this standard?
Specify the information management process
Enable the appointing party to establish the requirements for information delivery at different stages of the project.
Establish the right commercial and collaborative environment for information production.
Who is this standard for?
Those involved in the procurement, design, construction and/or commissioning of built assets.
Those involved in delivering asset management activities, including operations and maintenance.
ISO 19650‑2 is applicable to all types of assets and by all types and sizes of organizations, regardless of the chosen procurement strategy.
ISO 19650-3
ISO 19650-3 specifies requirements for information management, in the form of a management process, within the context of the operational phase of assets and the exchanges of information within it, using BIM. This document helps owners and operators achieve their business objectives and manage information through the asset lifecycle. At the same time, it improves quality and minimises the waste of information.
Why use this standard?
Establish information requirements during the operational phase of the asset.
Achieve business objectives through effective efficient production, use and management of information through the operational and end-of-life phases of assets.
Improve information quality to achieve corporate goals and archive or dispose incorrect or waste of data.
Who is this standard for?
Owners and operators of built assets, from individual buildings to infrastructure networks.
Civil engineers.
Campuses and buildings.
ISO 19650‑3 is applicable to all types of assets and to organizations of all types and sizes involved in the operational phase of assets.
ISO 19650-4
ISO 19650-4 supplements ISO 19650-1 to ISO 19650-3 and ISO 19650-5 by providing the explicit process and criteria for each individual information exchange. The document aims to secure the benefits arising from collaborative and interoperable BIM by choosing open schemas, data formats and conventions whilst specifying when alternatives may be appropriate.
Why use this standard?
Secure benefits arising from collaborative and interoperable BIM by choosing open schemas, data formats and conventions.
Establish appropriate criteria to ensure the reliability of the information and the repeatability of the process.
Implement the concepts defined in ISO 19650-1.
Who is this standard for?
Those involved in the procurement, design, construction and/or commissioning of built assets.
Those involved in delivering asset management activities, including operations and maintenance.
ISO 19650‑4 is applicable to any information exchange within the delivery stages covered by ISO 19650-2 and operational trigger events covered by ISO 19650-3.
ISO 19650-5
ISO 19650‑5 specifies the principles and requirements for security-minded information management at a stage of maturity described as building information modelling (BIM) according to the ISO 19650 series and as defined in ISO 19650-1.
Why use this standard?
Take a security-minded approach to the organisation and digitalisation of information about building and civil engineering.
Reduce the risk of loss, misuse or modification of sensitive information that could impact safety, security and resilience of assets, the built environment or the services by or from them.
Reduce the impacts of security breaches, which include reputational damage, diversion of resources, fines for regulatory breaches, and disruption to day-to-day operational activities.
Who is this standard for?
Digital engineering and technologies organization.
Information security professionals.
ISO 19650‑5 is applicable throughout the lifecycle of an initiative, project, asset, product or service, whether planned or existing, where sensitive information is obtained, created, processed and/or stored.
Information management according to ISO 19650
The implementation of BIM according to ISO 19650 is equivalent to BIM Maturity Stage 2. The BIM stage 2 requirements are:
Common data environment.
Structured and unstructured information.
The use of the Information Models (PIM, AIM).
The implementation of the standards ISO 19650 - 1, ISO 19650 -2.
According to the UK BIM Framework guidance a successful outcome of the adoption of BIM processes according to the ISO 19650 series will have the following characteristics:
The clear definition of the information required by the project client or asset owner for the procedures and deadlines for the production and review of information.
The quantity and quality of information are sufficient to meet the information requirements.
Efficient transfer of information between parties.
Informed and timely decision-making.
The high level process of specification and planning for information delivery is shown in the Figure below. The appointing party defines the Information requirements that cascade to the lead appointed parties and the delivery team that delivers it to the appointing party for approval. In this process, there is feedback between the parties when necessary.
ISO 19650 series is transforming the global construction industry fostering global collaboration, reducing risks, enhancing competitiveness, and ensuring that information is managed efficiently throughout the asset lifecycle, from inception to operation. The 5 standards published to date provide a clear roadmap for stakeholders in the construction industry, by providing a step-by-step approach to digital processes supporting information flow within the information management cycle, enhancing the overall quality and efficiency of projects.
For more insights on ISO 19650 certification, check out my article on the importance of certification for business success in BIM and the essential role of BIM certification in career advancement.
Next steps
Want to learn more? ISO 19650 training by BIM Design Hub helps you understand how to efficiently manage information using the international standard for BIM implementation.
About the Author
Nicoleta Panagiotidou is an architect, ISO 19650 specialist, and founder of BIM Design Hub. She helps AEC professionals and businesses enhance project and business success through effective information management.
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