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.
The BIM Application Guide (Guide d’ Application BIM) and its appendices are the result of a project that has brought together different representatives from the building sector in Luxembourg, who formed a working group led by the CRTI-B. Its content is drawn from reference works and standards in the field, as well as from the experience of the working group’s various members. The guide is based on a document drawn up by the OAI (Ordre des Architectes et des Ingénieurs-Conseils -Order of Architects and Consulting Engineers). The guide was written to help its members address the challenge presented by BIM. In this context, the OAI was able to define, for a BIM project, the collaborative framework within the project management team and the interactions with the owner. Since BIM is such a vast subject and one that impacts upon everyone involved in the sector, the OAI handed over its studies to the CRTI-B so that a cross-sector working group could complete it by getting all the industry’s actors in Luxembourg to work on it together.
The BIM Application Guide has been devised to provide a shared reference for everyone involved in the construction industry. When it comes to understanding what BIM is and the changes it will bring about for projects, it is absolutely essential that everyone talks the same language and operates on an equal footing.
The guide is divided into four main sections:
- Introduction – it explains the purpose of the guide and the background to its creation.
- “BIM: What You Need to Know” sets out important theoretical principles that need to be grasped to ensure a sound understanding of BIM.
- “Setting Up a BIM Project” describes the steps that have to be followed and the standard document templates that can be used (appendices).
- “Conclusion” and a forward look to future developments.
In 2015 the Resource Centre for Building Technologies and Innovation (CRTI-B, Centre de Ressources des Technologies et de l’Innovation pour le Bâtiment,) launched the first steps for the development and implementation of a national strategy for BIM. The BIM working groups in Luxembourg are under the guidance of the CRTI-B, which, as a neutral construction platform – has brought together a table of experts made up of different construction actors. The intention was to create a cross-sectoral working group including clients, architects, consulting engineers, contractors, scientific researchers and project managers. The CRTI-B aims to define, document, introduce and keep up to date standards governing construction projects’ contracts.
In view of the great interest in the subject of BIM in Luxembourg, and taking into account the different economic actors involved, different “working sub-groups” have been created to organise the development of BIM related projects more efficiently. To better meet the needs of all construction stakeholders, the CRTI-B launched the digitalbuilding.lu website on July 14, 2017, which will serve as a centralised platform for all matters relating to the digitisation of the construction sector. This website contains several resources including details on classification, training, BIM application and interoperability documents.
