As discussions around proposed revisions to ISO 19650 continue, some organisations may be questioning if now is the time to invest in training. But Mike Tofton, BIM and digital construction lead at the BRE Academy, says the fundamentals of good information management have not changed
There has been a lot of dialogue surrounding the draft updates to ISO 19650, the international standard for information management using BIM. As is often the case when change is anticipated, there are also some questions. When is the right time to gain knowledge and skills? Should I train now on a standard that is being reviewed or should I wait until any updates have been actioned?
As the construction sector continues to become increasingly digital, the skills needed to support that transition are not always keeping pace. RICS’ 2025 AI in Construction report found that 46% of respondents identified a lack of skilled personnel as a leading barrier to adoption. Delaying training in the hope of supposed marginal time saving will not help this problem.
Information management beyond the model
As digital approaches become more embedded in everyday tasks, information is being created and shared in more structured ways. This places greater importance on whether organisations have the skills and understanding needed to manage that information effectively.
But digital capability is not simply about knowing how to use a particular piece of software. It also means understanding how information should be produced, managed, exchanged and used effectively by the different organisations involved in a project.
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is central to this, providing a collaborative way of creating and managing information about a built asset. As BIM has become more established, the focus has increasingly extended beyond the digital model itself to how information is managed throughout the life of an asset.
Evolving standards
Standards have an important role to play in providing that foundation. ISO 19650, the international framework for managing information throughout the lifecycle of buildings and infrastructure, is central to this. ISO 19650 itself is undergoing revision, with the proposed changes pointing towards a more integrated, whole-life approach to information management, bringing project delivery and the operation of an asset closer together.
The revisions are still progressing through the ISO process, and their final form is yet to be settled.
However, as discussions around the proposed revisions continue, some organisations may be questioning whether now is the right time to invest in training against the current
ISO 19650 framework. This is an understandable consideration when change appears to be on the horizon.
However, it is important to recognise that the principles and practices underpinning today’s standard will continue to provide significant value, regardless of how the revisions
ultimately develop.
It is also important to recognise that existing projects will not automatically transition to any revised version of ISO 19650 when updates are published. Many projects will continue to operate under the information management requirements, contractual arrangements and delivery processes established at project inception. As a result, knowledge of the current ISO 19650 framework will remain directly applicable across a significant proportion of projects and asset portfolios for years after any revisions are introduced.
Continuity rather than paralysis
For organisations considering how to respond, the important message is one of continuity rather than paralysis. While aspects of ISO 19650 may change, the fundamentals of good information management will continue to matter. Organisations still need to understand what information is required, establish clear responsibilities and manage how that information is exchanged and used across teams.
The priority should therefore be to build competence and confidence in the standards that apply now. Organisations should identify where gaps in capability exist, ensure those responsible for information management understand how to apply the current framework and embed those principles into everyday working practices.
The focus should be on building competence in the standards that apply today while remaining aware of future developments. The knowledge, behaviours and processes developed through current ISO 19650 implementation will continue to support existing projects and provide the strongest foundation for adapting to future revisions when they are finalised.
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