What is ISO 19650 and why is it in the Common Assessment Standard?

Since the introduction of the Common Assessment Standard Version 5 (V5), new questions were added to reflect the changes to the construction industry. The Common Assessment Standard question set sees some subcontractors needing to have ISO 19650 (ISO 19650-1 and ISO 19650–2), but mostly in design settings. 

In this blog, we explain what ISO 19650 is, why subcontractors and main contractors should know about it, why it is in the Common Assessment Standard, which ones are requested and why it is important when it comes to supporting Building Information Management in construction. 

 

What is ISO 19650?

ISO 19650, or BS EN ISO 19650, is an internationally recognised standard which shows you have appropriate information management processes in place. Having the ISO 19650 standard demonstrates a commitment to ‘better decision making across the life cycle of the assets which constitute the built environment’¹. 

ISO 19650 outlines the concepts and principles for standards of Building Information Management (BIM). It is an international standard used by many countries, providing a unified approach to the way information is managed on a project, such as appointing a person responsible for controlling information. 

ISO 19650 predominantly focuses on how information is controlled, managed and stored, mainly throughout the entirety of a building project. Its overall goal is to enable teams to keep activities lean, and increase predictability around cost and time essential for construction projects when margins are already so tight and projects are already ‘just in time’. 

Related to design, this standard is used by principal designers and designers. 

 

What is Building Information Modelling (BIM)?

Building Information Modelling, also known as BIM, is a digital process that creates and manages information-rich 3D models of buildings and infrastructure throughout their lifecycle. It goes beyond traditional drafting by integrating data about materials, costs, schedules, and asset management into a single collaborative platform. This enables companies to plan more efficiently, detect conflicts early, improve coordination, and optimise building operations long after construction is complete. 

As a project develops, it is expected that collaboration increases, where information is often aided by digital support. This raises questions as to:

• how teams manage information 
• who is responsible 
• how is it stored

 

What is BIM in Construction?

Extremely common in construction landscapes, BIM is a digital approach that revolutionises construction information management throughout a project’s complete lifecycle. This innovative methodology enables the creation of comprehensive digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of buildings and infrastructure.

 

 

What are the benefits of ISO 19650?

As similarly explained in our ISO 9001 blog, having an ISO 19650 certification show commitment to maintaining a consistent information management process. 

Doing so helps reduce errors, improve costs, value and carbon performance. It shows externals that regardless of where and how you operate, you utilise an information management solution, which demonstrates trust and maintains a consistent audit trail over the lifecycle of a built asset using Building Information Modelling (BIM).

 

What is the difference between ISO 19650-1 and ISO 19650-2?

ISO 19650 is a suite comprised of 5 components: 

• ISO 19650-1 – concepts and principles 
• ISO 19650-2 – asset delivery phase 
• ISO 19650-3 – asset operational phase 
• ISO 19650-4 – information exchange 
• ISO 19650-5 – security
• ISO 19650-6 – health and safety 

What is ISO 19650-1?

ISO 19650-1 establishes the fundamental concepts, terminology, and principles for BIM information management, serving as the theoretical framework.

What is ISO 19650-2?

ISO 91650-2 focuses specifically on practical implementation during the asset delivery phase, providing detailed processes and procedures for managing information throughout design and construction of built assets.

 

 

Why does the Common Assessment Standard ask for ISO 19650-1 and ISO 19650-2?

 

In its recent Common Assessment Standard V5 update² from Build UK, its newest additions to the question set include ISO 19650-1 and ISO 19650-2. By asking principal designs and designers to complete these questions, it shows they are taking extra care to manage information carefully, with robust audit trails in place to help track digital items. 

However, if subcontractors do not undertake construction information management work, they can be exempt from certain projects, especially from top tier contractors who signed an open letter to the industry regarding their minimum supply chain requirements.

 

 

Key Takeaways

ISO 19650 focuses on information management for built assets. 

It’s best practice for responsible persons in construction projects to have robust tools in place for audit trails, and to keep track of information, should other parties need to access it. 

One of the ways subcontractors can do this is by completing the Common Assessment Standard and its Building Safety section, as covered in Constructionline Gold and Platinum memberships. Doing so opens them up to more opportunities to work with buyers mandating this at minimum.

 

 

Looking for an easier way to improve your construction information management system?

Whilst Constructionline doesn’t explicitly provide these information management services, we help construction buyers and suppliers manage and demonstrate their compliance. 

How we help Buyers 

We help you proactively protect your construction supply chain. Maintain a robust audit trail and management system, by keeping track of suppliers’ compliance information. 

Find and work with pre-qualified Gold and Platinum suppliers you can trust, who are aligned to the Common Assessment Standard.

Learn more 

How we help Suppliers 

Demonstrate your credentials to main contractors looking for partners aligned to the Common Assessment Standard, covered by Constructionline Gold and Platinum. 

Manage and maintain your compliance information in one place with Marketplace, included in all memberships. 

 

BIM definition

BIM, Building Information Modelling, is a digital process that creates data-rich 3D models of buildings and infrastructure. It integrates information about materials, costs and schedules into one collaborative platform, helping companies plan more efficiently, detect conflicts early and manage assets throughout their entire lifecycle. 

How to get an ISO 19650 certification 

Whilst we don’t provide ISO 19650 certificates, we help subcontractors demonstrate compliance and align to the Common Assessment Standard in our Gold and Platinum memberships. By completing the Building Safety section, subcontractors can prove to main contractors they are a worthy partner they can trust for future projects.