DRIVING DIGITAL DELIVERY FOR IRELAND’S INFRASTRUCTURE: ISO 19650 AND THE IRISH BIM MANDATE
Industry leaders gathered this week to advance digital delivery in Ireland’s infrastructure sector at a major event focused on ISO 19650 standards and the Irish BIM mandate.
The Digital Delivery for Ireland’s Infrastructure event was jointly hosted by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, Build Digital, and the Infrastructure Division of the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
Industry Event Highlights Importance of BIM and Digital Standards
The event brought together stakeholders from across Ireland’s construction, infrastructure, and built environment sectors to raise awareness of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and the standards that support it.
A key focus was the ISO 19650 series, which provides a structured framework for managing information across the lifecycle of construction projects.
Adopting ISO 19650 enables:
- Improved collaboration across project teams
- Consistent information management
- More efficient project delivery
- Alignment with international best practice
Public Consultation on ISO 19650 Updates
A central theme of the event was the ongoing public consultation on updates to ISO 19650, which is open until May 5th.
Stakeholders are encouraged to review and provide feedback on proposed changes through the Your Standards, Your Say platform, available via the NSAI website. This consultation ensures the standards continue to meet the evolving needs of the construction and infrastructure sectors in Ireland and globally.
Government Support for BIM and Digital Infrastructure Delivery
Speaking ahead of the event, Jack Chambers highlighted the importance of digital standards:
“The BIM mandate is a key element of the Government’s approach to digital delivery in public infrastructure. Engagement with standards such as ISO 19650 supports effective implementation across the public sector.”
ISO 19650 Supporting Collaboration and Project Efficiency
Geraldine Larkin, CEO of NSAI, emphasised the value of the standards:
“The ISO 19650 series provides a strong foundation for consistent information management in the built environment. Its adoption supports better collaboration, increased efficiency, and improved project outcomes.”
Practical Implementation of BIM in Ireland
The event also supported awareness of the Irish BIM mandate, which promotes the use of BIM and aligned standards in public works projects.
A dedicated session on Practical Pathways to ISO 19650 Certification explored how organisations can move from awareness to implementation, supported by tools and frameworks developed by Build Digital.
Clare Eriksson, Director of Build Digital, said:
“This event demonstrates how collaboration between industry and government is supporting the practical implementation of digital delivery in Ireland. We are helping organisations adopt structured information management and work towards certification.”
Industry Insights: BIM Adoption and Digital Trends
The event also marked the release of findings from Build Digital’s annual industry survey, highlighting:
- Current levels of BIM adoption in Ireland
- Key challenges facing the sector
- Emerging trends in digital construction
The results will be published as an interactive dashboard, providing valuable insights for industry benchmarking and future planning.
Supporting the Future of Digital Construction in Ireland
Through a focus on standards, consultation, and implementation, the event aims to:
- Increase awareness of digital delivery in infrastructure
- Encourage participation in the ISO 19650 consultation
- Support adoption of the Irish BIM mandate
- Drive innovation in Ireland’s construction sector
______________________________________________________________________________________
Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine