Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for transport, construction and infrastructure, has appointed information management organisation, nima, to support industry engagement around ‘digital whole life’. This emergent term is used to refer to the holistic management of data about a built asset throughout its full lifecycle, from planning to renewal.

The collaboration forms part of the Digital Construction International Programme, which is delivered by the Catapult on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST).

The aim is to engage experts across the industry in the development of the digital whole life concept and create resources to help individuals and organisations make better decisions throughout the lifecycle of buildings and infrastructure. The programme is focussed on how this thinking can build on the UK supply chain’s existing strengths in delivering projects using Building Information Modelling, to standards developed in the UK (most notably ISO19650, which is set to be updated next year to specify a more holistic approach).

Last week, nima and the Catapult convened a workshop of clients, consultants, standards leads, and educators to consider how the UK defines, governs and scales the adoption of digital whole life capabilities.

 “Our shared interest is in how information can serve the whole life of the built and managed environment. That need exists before a project takes shape, across the operating world we live and work in. It occurs when people are considering a need, an investment or a change to a place. It continues through design, construction and use, and into decisions about adaptation, reuse and renewal.

“Information management means agreeing what information people need, taking responsibility for its quality and making it available in a form they can use. Done well, it helps people understand their choices and account for their decisions from a whole life perspective.

“This collaboration with Connected Places Catapult will build on nima’s existing work and communities, engaging and reaching out wide to form a powerful community of experts who can help develop and mature this whole life thinking.”

Anne Kemp OBE, Chair of nima

 “Construction clients around the world need built assets that perform better, cost less to operate, and produce fewer carbon emissions. The UK’s is already well-placed to help deliver those outcomes, with a track record in digital construction, information management and standards.

Working with nima gives us an opportunity to take the next step by bringing industry expertise together around a whole-life approach to asset data. Through the wider Digital Construction International Programme, we will work to ensure that projects in the UK and overseas can benefit from this evolving approach.”

Geoff Stevens, Director of Built Environment at Connected Places Catapult

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