Delivering Better Outcomes Through Information Management
Building safety is no longer just about design compliance — it’s about confidence in the information that supports a building throughout its entire lifecycle.
Across our projects at BDC, we’ve seen a clear shift. The Building Safety Act 2022 and Gateway regime administered by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) have sharpened expectations, formalising the need for clear, coordinated, verifiable and accountable Information Management.
At the heart of this is no longer just BIM, but a broader discipline of Information Management in the built environment (as defined within ISO 19650:2026) — a framework for how teams collaborate, manage data, and deliver safer, compliant buildings.
Why Information Management Matters More Than Ever
At BDC, we deliver projects in line with ISO 19650 principles and emerging ISO 19650:2026 terminology, shifting from traditional BIM language to a more structured Information Management approach:
- BIM → Information Management
- BEP (BIM Execution Plan) → IPP (Information Production Plan)
- EIR (Exchange Information Requirements) → IPR (Information Project Requirements)
- MIDP/TIDP → IPS (Information Production Schedule)
Although the terminology is changing, the core processes remain the same, centred on structured, coordinated and auditable information delivery.
Our approach is built around:
- Federated multidisciplinary digital models
- Open data exchange (IFC, COBie)
- Common Data Environments (CDEs)
This creates a fully coordinated, structured and traceable digital environment, where:
- Design intent is clearly communicated across disciplines
- Risks are identified and resolved early
- Information is structured, verifiable and reusable
In practical terms, this results in fewer risks on site and greater confidence before construction begins.
Screenshot of a federated BIM model (Architecture + Structure overlay)
Delivering Projects Through Coordinated Information
The real value of Information Management comes from how it connects the project team.
On our projects, we work closely with:
- Architects
- MEP consultants
- Contractors and specialist suppliers
Through structured Information Production Plans (IPPs) and coordinated workflows, we:
- Align models and data structures early (datums, grids, levels)
- Exchange information in agreed open formats (IFC, COBie, DWG)
- Carry out coordinated design reviews and clash detection
- Integrate specialist design in line with defined responsibilities
This ensures that all parties are working from consistent, controlled and validated information, reducing risk and improving buildability.
Information Management and the Gateway Process
The introduction of Gateway 2 as a statutory “hard stop” under the Building Safety Act regime has fundamentally changed how projects are delivered.
Information must now be:
- Complete
- Coordinated
- Verified
- Suitable for submission to the Building Safety Regulator
Our approach supports this by:
- Developing Information Project Requirements (IPRs) at the earliest stages
- Structuring project delivery through Information Production Schedules (IPS)
- Integrating specialist design in line with dutyholder roles
- Applying structured QA processes to ensure traceability and auditability
By using Information Management as the delivery framework, we produce:
- Coordinated digital models
- Structured drawing and data outputs
- Clear compliance narratives
- Fully auditable Information Management records
This is critical in giving both clients and regulators confidence in Gateway submissions.
The Golden Thread – Moving Beyond Compliance
The concept of the Golden Thread of Information, as defined within Building Safety legislation, reinforces a fundamental principle:
Safety depends on the quality, accuracy, accessibility and security of information.
Historically, information has often been:
- Fragmented across multiple formats
- Stored in disconnected systems
- Difficult to verify or trust
The Golden Thread requires that information is:
- Accurate and up to date
- Accessible to those who need it
- Secure and controlled
- Maintained throughout design, construction and occupation
How Information Management Supports the Golden Thread
Information Management (aligned with ISO 19650:2026) provides the structure needed to deliver the Golden Thread in practice.
At BDC, this includes:
- Embedding structured asset information (COBie and defined data structures)
- Maintaining all information within a compliant Common Data Environment (CDE)
- Producing outputs that are version-controlled, traceable and auditable
We provide coordinated digital records including:
- Building Regulations compliance information
- Design calculations and supporting datasets
- Structured drawings and model outputs
This ensures a continuous, reliable flow of information from design through construction and into occupation.
The Real Benefit: Better Buildings, Better Outcomes
When Information Management processes are applied effectively, the benefits extend far beyond compliance:
- Reduced need for repeat surveys
- Improved asset and facilities management
- Faster response to issues
- Improved engagement with regulators and insurers
- Greater confidence across the building lifecycle
As we see it:
This isn’t about creating more information — it’s about having the right information, in the right place, at the right time.
Conclusion
For us at BDC, Information Management, the Gateway regime, and the Golden Thread are part of a single, integrated approach to delivering safer buildings.
By bringing together:
- Structured digital information
- Coordinated workflows
- Robust quality assurance processes
We ensure that projects are:
- Safer
- More compliant with regulatory requirements
- More transparent and better evidenced throughout their lifecycle
Call to Action
If you’re delivering residential or mixed-use schemes and navigating the requirements of the Building Safety Act and evolving ISO 19650 standards, we’d be happy to share our experience and approach.
