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ISO 19650-1:2018

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ISO 19650-1:2018 – Organization and Digitization of Information about Buildings and Civil Engineering Works, Including Building Information Modelling (BIM) – Part 1: Concepts and Principles

1. Definition

ISO 19650-1:2018 is an international standard that establishes the concepts and principles for managing information throughout the life cycle of built assets — from design, construction, operation, to decommissioning — using Building Information Modelling (BIM).

It provides a structured framework for collaborative information management within architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) organizations, ensuring that digital data is accurate, consistent, accessible, and secure across all project participants.

This standard forms Part 1 of the ISO 19650 series, which collectively defines a global methodology for BIM-based information management.

2. Purpose and Scope

The objectives of ISO 19650-1:2018 are to:

  • Establish a common language and process for managing information using BIM.

  • Improve collaboration and coordination among stakeholders in construction and asset management.

  • Support digital transformation and data interoperability across project life cycles.

  • Enhance efficiency, quality, and decision-making through standardized information structures.

  • Provide guidance for both project delivery (design and construction) and asset operation (maintenance and management) phases.

This standard applies to all types of built assets — including buildings, infrastructure, industrial plants, and public works.

3. Relationship to Other Standards

ISO 19650-1 is based on and replaces the earlier British Standards BS 1192:2007 and PAS 1192-2:2013, expanding their concepts to an international framework.

It is directly related to:

  • ISO 19650-2:2018 – Delivery phase of assets.

  • ISO 19650-3:2020 – Operational phase of assets.

  • ISO 19650-5:2020 – Security-minded approach to information management.

It can also be integrated with other ISO management systems, including ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 55001 (Asset Management), and ISO 27001 (Information Security).

4. Key Concepts and Principles

ISO 19650-1 introduces a set of core information management principles, including:

  1. Information Requirements (IRs)
    Defined needs for information from appointing parties, covering both organizational and asset-specific aspects.

  2. Common Data Environment (CDE)
    A centralized digital platform for collecting, managing, and sharing information among all project participants in a controlled and collaborative manner.

  3. Information Delivery Cycle
    The structured process of defining, producing, verifying, and delivering information at different project stages.

  4. Level of Information Need
    Specification of the detail, accuracy, and relevance of information to meet project and operational requirements.

  5. Roles and Responsibilities
    Clear allocation of duties between the appointing party (client/owner) and the appointed parties (designers, contractors, operators) in managing and exchanging BIM data.

  6. Collaboration and Transparency
    Encouraging a cooperative culture across multidisciplinary teams to ensure consistent and reliable data exchange.

5. Structure of ISO 19650-1:2018

The standard follows a structured organization consistent with other ISO management frameworks:

  1. Scope

  2. Normative References

  3. Terms and Definitions

  4. Concepts – Key ideas and foundational principles of information management.

  5. Principles – Governance and operational structure for information management.

  6. Information Management Process Overview – The framework for planning, delivery, and maintenance of information.

Annexes provide guidance and examples for practical application in real projects.

6. The BIM Information Management Framework

Under ISO 19650-1, information management is organized into three main components:

A. Organizational Information Management

  • Defines how an organization identifies, structures, and controls information across its projects.

  • Includes development of Organizational Information Requirements (OIR) and Asset Information Requirements (AIR).

B. Project Information Management

  • Establishes Project Information Requirements (PIR) and Exchange Information Requirements (EIR).

  • Sets up the Common Data Environment (CDE) to manage project data.

C. Collaborative Working

  • Ensures integration of data across all disciplines (architecture, engineering, construction, and operation).

  • Promotes data integrity, version control, and traceability.

7. Benefits of Implementing ISO 19650-1:2018

A. For Organizations and Asset Owners

  • Ensures consistent and reliable information for decision-making throughout asset life cycles.

  • Reduces duplication, errors, and inefficiencies in data management.

  • Supports predictable project outcomes in cost, quality, and schedule.

  • Enhances long-term asset performance and sustainability.

  • Enables compliance with digital-by-default requirements in government and infrastructure sectors.

B. For Project Teams and Contractors

  • Improves collaboration and communication among multidisciplinary teams.

  • Provides a clear structure for data exchange and model coordination.

  • Supports efficient change management and version control.

  • Facilitates integration with other management systems (quality, safety, environment).

C. For Clients and Stakeholders

  • Increases transparency and accountability in project delivery.

  • Builds confidence in digital information quality and traceability.

  • Supports sustainable asset management and data-driven decision-making.

8. Example of Implementation

In practice, implementation of ISO 19650-1 involves:

  1. Defining the Appointing Party’s Information Requirements (EIR).

  2. Establishing a BIM Execution Plan (BEP) that outlines information workflows and responsibilities.

  3. Setting up a Common Data Environment (CDE) with controlled access levels.

  4. Using consistent naming conventions, metadata, and versioning systems.

  5. Conducting information reviews and approvals at each project stage.

  6. Performing audits and data validation for accuracy and completeness.

  7. Integrating BIM data with facility management systems for asset operation.

9. Relationship to Digital Transformation

ISO 19650-1 plays a key role in the digitalization of the construction industry by standardizing how data is structured and exchanged.
It supports emerging practices such as:

  • Digital Twins

  • Smart Cities

  • Internet of Things (IoT) in building management

  • Sustainable lifecycle modeling

This makes ISO 19650-1 central to achieving Industry 4.0 integration within the built environment sector.

10. Conclusion

ISO 19650-1:2018 provides the global foundation for managing digital information in construction and asset management.
By applying its principles, organizations can improve collaboration, efficiency, transparency, and sustainability across every stage of the built asset life cycle.

For companies adopting Building Information Modelling (BIM), ISO 19650-1 ensures that data is not only accurate and accessible, but also aligned with strategic business objectives and international best practices.