The discussions at London Build 2024 left no doubt: the construction and real estate industries are standing at a pivotal moment when it comes to information management. Across panel discussions, including those hosted by NIMA (formerly the UK BIM Alliance), the industry’s fragmented and inefficient approach to managing building information took centre stage.
From the rising pressures of compliance under the Building Safety Act to the financial and operational inefficiencies caused by siloed data, it is clear that addressing these challenges is no longer optional. Encouragingly, London Build also highlighted a collective drive for change, with a growing focus on digital transformation, collaboration, and standardisation.
The Industry’s Persistent Challenge
The built environment generates immense volumes of information over the lifecycle of an asset—design plans, compliance certificates, maintenance schedules, and more. Yet much of this information is scattered, poorly organised, or inaccessible.
This lack of organisation is not only costly but also risky. Research from the Construction Industry Institute has shown that inefficiencies in data and information management contribute to over 13% of project costs globally. For a sector already operating under tight margins, this represents billions of pounds in wasted resources.
The stakes are even higher for safety and compliance. The Building Safety Act has made it a legal requirement for building owners and dutyholders to maintain a "golden thread" of accurate, accessible, and up-to-date building information. However, many organisations still struggle to piece together a coherent picture of their assets, relying on outdated systems and manual processes that simply cannot meet modern demands.
NIMA’s Information Management Initiative
One of the standout discussions at London Build was the Information Management Initiative (IMI), introduced by NIMA. This initiative is designed to tackle some of the most persistent challenges facing the sector by advocating for a consistent, collaborative, and technology-enabled approach to managing building information.
The IMI focuses on three key areas:
Standardisation: Frameworks such as ISO 19650 are helping to create a consistent approach to information management, ensuring that data is structured, accessible, and easily shared between stakeholders.
Collaboration: The siloed nature of the industry has long been a barrier to efficiency. The IMI encourages greater transparency and data-sharing across the supply chain to improve communication and outcomes.
Digital Transformation: By promoting the use of advanced technologies, the IMI aims to reduce the manual burden of managing information and make data actionable and accurate.
This initiative is a step in the right direction, offering a practical roadmap for addressing inefficiencies while building a culture of accountability and transparency.
The Role of Technology
The conversations at London Build made it clear that technology has a critical role to play in transforming information management. However, technology alone is not the solution. What the industry needs are purpose-built platforms that not only centralise information but also make it easier to organise, search, and act upon.
The most effective systems are those that integrate seamlessly into existing workflows while automating the most time-consuming aspects of information management. These tools enable building owners and operators to maintain compliance, reduce costs, and unlock the value hidden within their data.
Complexity into Clarity
At Building Passport, solving the information management challenge is at the heart of what we do. The platform is designed to address the inefficiencies and risks associated with fragmented data, providing building owners and operators with a smarter, more efficient way to manage their information.
1. A Unified Platform for All Building Information
Building Passport serves as a secure, centralised repository for all asset-related documents and data. From compliance certifications to maintenance logs, the platform ensures that every piece of information is stored, organised, and easily accessible. By removing the reliance on disjointed systems and manual processes, Building Passport saves time and eliminates frustration.
2. Intelligent Automation Powered by AI
One of the platform’s most transformative features is its artificial intelligence capabilities. Uploading hundreds of files no longer means hours of manual organisation. Building Passport’s AI automatically categorises and tags documents, making them searchable and easy to retrieve.
Beyond organisation, AI is enabling smarter insights. Users can quickly locate specific details—such as the expiry date of a safety certificate or a fire risk assessment’s recommendations—without sifting through endless documents. This level of automation turns building data into a powerful tool for decision-making.
3. Compliance-First Design
Compliance with the Building Safety Act demands a proactive approach to managing information. Building Passport is designed to help dutyholders maintain a robust golden thread of information, complete with automated reminders, real-time updates, and clear audit trails.
By enabling building owners and operators to stay ahead of compliance requirements, Building Passport reduces risk while fostering a culture of accountability and safety.
Collaboration for Change
While technology is a powerful enabler, the broader shift required to transform information management relies on collaboration across the sector. Initiatives like NIMA’s IMI are critical in creating the frameworks and standards that allow stakeholders to work together effectively.
Building Passport is committed to supporting these efforts, ensuring that its platform aligns with industry standards and promotes interoperability. The goal is to provide building owners and operators with the tools they need to manage their information confidently while contributing to a more connected and efficient built environment.
The Opportunity
The conversations at London Build 2024 underscored a simple truth: the time to act is now. The cost of inaction—whether in wasted resources, missed compliance deadlines, or safety risks—is too high.
The opportunity, however, is immense. By adopting better systems and smarter tools, the industry can unlock efficiencies, improve safety, and create a more sustainable future.
Building Passport is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation. By combining cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of the industry’s challenges, we are enabling building owners and operators to take control of their information and turn complexity into clarity.
Sources
Construction Industry Institute: “Improving Project Performance Through Effective Data Management.”
McKinsey: “Reinventing Construction Through a Productivity Revolution.”
NIMA: “Summary Procedure of the IM Initiative” (2024).
UK Government: Building Safety Act Guidance.
Comments