ISO 19650: Building Information Modelling

ISO 19650 is a five-part series of international standards that provide guidelines and requirements for managing information about buildings and civil engineering works using building information modeling (BIM).

BIM is a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a building or infrastructure. It is used for design, construction, and operation throughout the entire lifecycle of a project.

Here’s a quick look at each part of ISO 19650.

• Concepts and Principles ISO 19650-1. Provides an overview of BIM concepts, emphasizing collaboration, data quality, and the use of common data environments.
• Delivery Phase of the Assets ISO 19650-2. Focuses on asset delivery, outlining requirements for BIM deliverables and data management during design, construction, and commissioning.
• Operational Phase of the Assets ISO 19650-3. Covers the operational phase, emphasizing the transition from delivery to operation, with requirements for BIM data management during maintenance and decommissioning.
• Collaborative Production of Information ISO 19650-4. Focuses on collaborative information production, specifying requirements for information management, data quality, and structured approaches.
• Asset Information Requirements ISO 19650-5. Addresses asset information requirements (AIR), defining the process for identifying, documenting, and delivering AIR through BIM data.

ISO 19650 certification is typically pursued by organizations involved in the construction and architecture industries to demonstrate compliance with BIM and information management standards.

While it is generally not mandatory by law or regulation in most countries, ISO 19659 may be required or specified by clients, contracts, or industry organizations as a prerequisite for participation in certain construction projects.

Implementing ISO 19650 offers several benefits to organizations. Some key advantages include:

To obtain ISO 19650 certification, an organization must adopt compliant BIM processes and information management systems, document their procedures, engage a certification body for an audit, then address any non-conformities. Upon successful compliance, the organization will receive an ISO 19650 certification.

ISO 19650 certifications are typically valid for three years. To renew or retain validity, organizations must undergo two surveillance audits – one each in the second and third year of the certification period.

Implementing ISO 19650 may pose several challenges to organizations. They include:

Here are a few tips for preparing for an ISO 19650 certification:

• Educate your teams about ISO 19650 standards and its implications for projects.
• Evaluate existing BIM and information management processes to identify gaps and areas for improvement.
• Create a clear implementation roadmap with specific milestones, responsibilities, and timelines.
• Provide comprehensive training to staff on ISO 19650 requirements and best practices for compliance.
• Consider engaging BIM consultants or experts who can guide you through the ISO 19650 implementation process.

For more information and guidance on ISO 19650 certification, you can refer to the following resources

International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The ISO 19650 page on the official ISO website provides the ISO 14001 standard document, news updates, and additional resources.

Accredited certification bodies. To pursue ISO 19650 certification, you can reach out to accredited certification bodies that offer certification services in your region. These bodies have the expertise to guide you through the certification process. You can find a list of accredited certification bodies on the website of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) or contact your local accreditation body.

Construction skills matrix. AG5 offers a free skills matrix dedicated to the construction industry. You can use it to identify, track, and manage the skills your employees possess, as well as those they may need, for your organization’s ISO 19650 certification.