The launch of ISO 19650 provides real opportunities for UK-based companies with BIM-compliant processes to export their expertise on a global scale
ISO 19650 was largely developed from BIM practice as established in the UK, and is based on BS and PAS 1192-2.
The development of ISO 19650 has drawn upon the lessons learned from five years of application of the BIM-related standards and has addressed many of the perceived weaknesses of the superseded standards.
Some of the key changes introduced by ISO 19650 are:
- Greater guidance for the Appointing Party (client).
- Greater responsibility delegated to the Lead Appointed Party (Tier 1 Provider).
- Requirement for an Information delivery risk assessment.
- Requirement for a Mobilisation Plan.
- Completion of an Information function responsibility matrix with defined template.
- More emphasis on collaborative working (principles of ISO 44001).
- Terminology changes to facilitate international interpretation.
With this now-global standard, the opportunities are even greater for companies who can demonstrate their BIM level 2 compliant capability through independent accreditation, particularly when that accreditation is awarded by an organisation that has a global reputation for technical integrity and standard setting, such as Lloyd’s Register (LR).
LR was the first organisation to develop a BIM Level 2 accreditation scheme, which at its core was PAS 1192-2. It also included the principles of BS8536, BS8541, PAS 91 and ISO 44001.
The scheme is based on the LR BIM Level 2 Guidance Document, which also crucially included the requirement to adopt the principles of business good practice. This recognised the weaknesses of the BIM-related standards, which did not test resilience to consistently deliver BIM-compliant services. This was no fault of the standards – they were not necessarily designed to be accredited/certified against.
Including good business practice principles within the LR BIM Level 2 Guidance document from the original launch of the scheme resulted in the early incorporation of many of the changes now introduced by ISO 19650. For instance, the establishment of a risk management process was a fundamental requirement of the scheme, as was the establishment of competency and capacity management processes – fundamental elements of a mobilisation plan.
The close alignment between the LR BIM Level 2 assessment process and that required by ISO 19650-2 will simplify the transition to the new core standard for companies accredited by LR. For those looking to achieve independent certification to ISO 1950-2, LR’s accreditation will facilitate ease of access for UK companies to international projects and markets.
For more information on LR’s BIM Level 2 Accreditation, visit info.lr.org/bim-2.
Tracy Stewart
Business Development Executive
Lloyd’s Register
Tel: 07773 583 282
Please note: this is a commercial profile.
