Understanding the Proposed ISO 19650 Revisions

A clear summary of the proposed ISO 19650 DIS updates, including whole-life integration, the new 9-step process, terminology shifts, and likely industry implications.

TL;DR

The ISO 19650 Draft International Standard (DIS) planned for March 10, 2026 is a consultation draft, not the final standard. The current proposals point to whole-life information management, a unified 9-step process, and likely changes to terminology, guidance, and certification pathways. Industry consultation feedback will directly influence what is finalized.

Industry briefingISO 19650 DISPublic consultation

A joint webinar hosted by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and NIMA provided the industry with an early look at proposed revisions to the ISO 19650 series, including the Draft International Standard (DIS), which is the public consultation draft released before any final standard is published.

For BIM Managers and information management professionals, this is major news: these standards define how we work, how we collaborate, and how we deliver value across the built environment.

Importantly - nothing has been finalized.

What is about to be released is a Draft International Standard (DIS) for public consultation. The 2018 editions remain in force. The final outcome will depend entirely on the comments received and the international consensus process.

This article summarizes the key proposed updates and explores their possible implications-not to advocate for or against them, but to help the industry reflect on what might be changing and why.

Live webinar image of presenters discussing ISO 19650 draft updates
Fantastic webinar presenters: Dan Rossiter (BSI), Dr. Anne Kemp (NIMA), David Churcher (Hitherwood), and Paul Shillcock (Operam) introducing draft proposals and consultation process. They did an amazing job sharing what has been, and will continue to be, a very heavily debated topic.
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Important: this is draft consultation content
On March 10, 2026, the Draft International Standard (DIS) is scheduled to be published for public consultation. The 2018 editions remain in force, and the final outcome depends on comments received through international consensus.
  • Draft status means proposed, not final.
  • Public consultation feedback is expected at scale.
  • Current implementation should continue against existing published standards.

This timeline shows the progression from the 2018 publication through global rollout, working group review, DIS release in March 2026, final publication, and the expected guidance and certification updates that follow.

ISO 19650 Revision Timeline


2018Parts 1 & 2 Published


2019-2020Parts 3-6 Released


2020-2024Global Implementation


2024-2025Working Group Review


March 2026DIS Released


Late 2026Final Publication


Post-ReleaseGuidance & Certification Updates

Section quick links

Draft status Whole-life shift 9-step process Terminology Requirements Ecosystem alignment Part 3 role Certification impact Key changes summary Final reflection

1) Draft International Standard (DIS): Consultation Stage, Not Immediate Replacement

On March 10, 2026, the Draft International Standard (DIS) is scheduled for publication as a consultation draft. It represents approximately 18 months of working group development - but it is only a proposal. Thousands of public comments are expected, as in previous revisions, and those comments will be reviewed through international consensus.

Draft International Standard DIS slide for ISO 19650 revisions
The release is a Draft International Standard (DIS), which signals consultation, not immediate replacement.
Warning slide stating that proposed ISO 19650 changes are not final
Warning from the webinar: nothing has been finalized yet.

"If you disagree - propose alternatives."

"If you agree - say so."

"Silence can distort perception."

Why this mattersFor BIM Managers, this is the active window to influence practical outcomes before wording is fixed. If your workflows, contracts, or assurance model could be impacted, consultation participation is part of risk management.

2) Whole-Life Information Management: Proposed Structural Shift Across the Asset Lifecycle

One of the most significant proposed changes is structural. The ISO subcommittee is moving away from the strict separation of capital delivery and operational management toward a single lifecycle process.

"The distinction between delivery phase and operational phase is being removed. Instead, a single information management process covering the whole asset life cycle is proposed."

Whole-life information management focus in proposed ISO 19650 revisions
The new proposal focuses on a continuous lifecycle rather than separate delivery and operations phases.
ISO 19650 Part 1 key proposed changes
Part 1 key changes frame the lifecycle continuity approach.
  • Operational stakeholders are positioned at the start of asset-related projects, not just at handover.
  • Projects are treated as interventions (trigger events) inside a continuous lifecycle.
  • The Asset Information Model (AIM) is treated as the enduring information outcome.
Why this mattersThis model can reduce fragmentation between delivery and operation, but only if teams adjust governance and responsibilities early. Organizations still structured around traditional project-only boundaries may need implementation planning to avoid transitional friction.

3) Unified 9-Step ISO 19650 Information Management Process

The existing 8-step processes in Parts 2 and 3 are proposed to be merged into one 9-step process. When combining delivery and operational processes, the working group found that eight steps were no longer sufficient to represent the full scope.

New proposed 9-step information management process for ISO 19650
The proposed 9-step process reframes information management as one lifecycle workflow.
Combined ISO 19650 information management process with expanded appointing party steps
Combined process view: appointing parties carry more explicit activity checkpoints.
Color-coded view of proposed new 9 ISO 19650 process steps
Color-coded mapping clarifies sequence, handoffs, and role participation.
Information team management requirements delivery planning and production in proposed ISO 19650 updates
The process now distinguishes information management activities from information production activities.
  • Information management and information production are explicitly separated.
  • The appointing party's activities become more prominent.
  • The process applies across the whole asset lifecycle.
  • Training, guidance, and certification frameworks will likely need revision.
Why this mattersThe impact of adopting the 9-step framework is substantial: clearer checkpoints and role accountability can reduce ambiguous handovers, but organizations will need updated competency models, process maps, and assurance controls.

4) Terminology Changes: Information Management and Information Production

Terminology simplification is central to the draft. The distinction between strategic management and production activities is more overt in language and process structure.

Developments in terminology and language in proposed ISO 19650 revision
Proposed terminology shifts focus on accessibility, translation, and adoption beyond BIM-centric audiences.
Examples of proposed terminology changes
  • BIM Execution Plan (BEP) -> Information Production Plan (IPP)
  • Exchange Information Requirement (EIR) -> Information Production Requirement (IPR)
  • TIDP / MIDP -> Information Production Schedule (IPS)
  • BIM in general is moving even more towards -> IM
  • Delivery Teams -> Information Production Teams
  • Expanded use of Information Management Strategy at organizational level
Why this mattersClearer language can improve onboarding, reduce interpretation risk, and support international consistency. The tradeoff is transition friction where organizations, software, and certification systems still depend on established terminology.

5) Information Requirements: From Types to Stakeholder Perspectives

Instead of treating OIR, AIR, and PIR as separate requirement types, the draft reframes them as stakeholder perspectives that are collated, deduplicated, and filtered for specific projects and appointments.

  • Identify stakeholder purposes first.
  • Align with Level of Information Need (ISO 7817).
  • Collate and deduplicate into a single organizational set.
  • Filter by project and appointment context.

This direction aligns ISO 19650 more explicitly with ISO 7817-1 and ISO 29481-1.

Why this mattersIf implemented well, this can connect business outcomes to information requirements with less duplication. Teams with mature OIR/AIR/PIR workflows may need a deliberate migration strategy to avoid losing implementation clarity.

6) Alignment With the Wider ISO Information Management Ecosystem

The revised Part 1 is proposed to underpin the broader ISO 19650 series, including Parts 4, 5, and 6. Annex material is expected to clarify relationships with adjacent standards and concepts such as IDM and Level of Information Need.

Alignment with other information management standards in ISO 19650 proposals
The revisions aim to align ISO 19650 with the broader standards landscape.
Reference to all parts of ISO 19650 in proposed revision
Part 1 will serve as the conceptual foundation for the full series.
Proposed ISO 19650 Part 1 clauses and structure
Structure of Part 1 clauses in the draft proposal.
Figures proposed to remove from ISO 19650 Part 1
Figures proposed for removal or repositioning in Part 1.
Why this mattersGreater interoperability across standards can reduce duplication and improve compliance consistency. It also raises the competency bar, requiring broader standards literacy across project, asset, and assurance teams.

7) Part 3's New Role: Implementation Guidance for the Unified Process

Part 3 is proposed to evolve into implementation guidance supporting the unified process. It is not expected to release simultaneously with Parts 1 and 2 and will follow consultation.

New role for ISO 19650 Part 3 in proposed revisions
Part 3 appears to be shifting toward practical implementation support.
  • Potentially clearer operational guidance for asset owners and delivery teams.
  • Less duplication between Parts 2 and 3.
  • Possible short-term uncertainty due to staggered publication timing.
Why this mattersThis change could make adoption easier in practice, but implementation teams should plan for an interim period where process expectations may evolve before companion guidance is fully aligned.

8) Certification, Verification, and Guidance Implications

The presenters acknowledged that certification schemes will need review, transition periods will apply, and existing certificates will not immediately become invalid. Guidance frameworks and training materials will also require updates.

Practical transition expectations
  • Certification pathways will be reviewed rather than reset overnight.
  • Transition windows are expected for organizations and practitioners.
  • Guidance ecosystems will need staged updates.
Why this mattersBecause ISO 19650 is globally embedded in audits and capability assessments, even incremental wording changes can drive substantial operational updates across contracts, QA systems, and competence frameworks.

So What Might This Mean for the Industry?

  • Stronger whole-life integration from project initiation through operation.
  • Greater emphasis on appointing party accountability and governance.
  • Clearer separation between managing information and producing information.
  • More explicit alignment with other ISO information management standards.
  • Potential simplification for global adoption and translation.

Open questions remain:

  • Will simplification improve adoption - or unsettle established maturity?
  • Are asset owners ready for a more prominent role?
  • How much current implementation effort will require re-alignment?
  • Will software ecosystems adapt quickly enough?

"The final standard has not been written yet."

The DIS stage is the moment where industry voices shape direction.

Final Reflection

Standards evolve because industries evolve. The 2018 edition reflected lessons from PAS 1192 and early global adoption. The 2026 revision proposals appear to reflect six years of implementation experience, global feedback, a broader lifecycle mindset, and a desire to make information management more inclusive and accessible.

Whether this becomes a careful evolution or a structural shift depends on consultation outcomes.

If you work with ISO 19650 in any capacity - client, consultant, contractor, software vendor, auditor, or educator - this is the moment to engage.

Because consensus only works if people participate.

Explore ISO 19650 help articles See practical ISO 19650 workflow guidance