ISO 19650 is the prominent global standard for the implementation of BIM, focusing on the collaborative process integral to the entire life cycle of constructed assets. Developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this standard serves as a comprehensive framework for managing information from the conception of a project, through construction and operation to its eventual decommissioning. The development and publication of ISO 19650 highlights the commitment of international standards bodies to creating a consistent and efficient approach to BIM implementation on a global scale.
ISO 19650 is a multi-part standard. Part 1 delineates fundamental concepts and principles, while Part 2 provides practical guidance for information management throughout the project life cycle. The scalability of ISO 19650 allows organizations to tailor its application to the specific needs and intricacies of their projects. As an internationally recognized standard, ISO 19650 reflects the collaborative efforts of standards bodies to enhance global construction industry practices. Throughout this process, transparency, collaboration, and consensus-building are key principles. ISO standards, including ISO 19650, are developed with input from experts and stakeholders worldwide to ensure that they reflect a global consensus on best practices.
A country might choose to adopt ISO 19650 for several reasons, all of which contribute to the standard’s potential benefits in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of construction and infrastructure projects. Some of the reasons why a country might decide to adopt ISO 19650:
- Global standardisation of processes
- Support interoperability and collaboration
- Consider a quality assured approach to information management
- Competitive advantage and potential for cross boarder trade
- Improved project delivery outcomes
In summary, the adoption of ISO 19650 by a country can bring about international alignment, improved collaboration, risk reduction, and enhanced competitiveness in the construction industry, ultimately contributing to more successful and sustainable infrastructure development. Countries will usually adopt ISO 19650 by publishing a national annex to the standard.
Austrian Standards is Austria’s organisation for standardisation and innovation . They are an independent and neutral group tasked with supporting standards which are delivered as practicable, sustainable solutions for economic and social challenges. These standards are designed to make life easier, safer and better, whilst strengthening the competitiveness of the Austrian and European economy.
The Austrian Standards organisation works to:
- Promote the dialogue between various stakeholders on a national and international level.
- Act as the gateway to a global standardization network and numerous partner organizations.
- Share the methodical know-how to start and manage cooperative processes.
- Make standards, documents and information accessible with innovative tools.
- Prepare specialist knowledge using multimedia, promote professional development and offer different certification models.
BIM is the new common language of the construction industry in Austria. Through the work of the Austrian Standards organisation the ÖNORMs series A 6241 of standards have been in effect since July 1st, 2015. In these standards, all aspects of BIM technology are taken into account and provided dynamically to the project participants for the software products they use with innovative digital construction components. The Austrian approach is on the one hand a fundamental and on the other hand a more advanced approach, due to a known sets of rules. An essential component is a dynamic, freely expandable database of characteristics based on open standards, international compatibility and multilingualism in terms of user guidance and content. This website contains the background to the Austrian standards as well as document links and details of the ongoing work as well as previous successes.
The Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce (Wirtschaftskammer Österreich, WKO) functions as the federal parent organisation for the nine State Chambers and 110 trade associations for different industries within Austria’s economy. The WKO provides representation of membership interests at all levels of government. By law, governments are obliged to consult with Chambers on legislative projects and important regulation. In many laws a provision is made to involve Chambers in decision-making and administrative procedures.
The WKO’s website provides access to a study conducted by the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology and the Construction Office on the subject of the “Potential of digitization in the building industry”, looking at the benefits that BIM can bring. The website also contains several documents, videos and links to the local buildingSMART chapter, all of which provide additional information about current BIM adoption in Austria.
