The SIMP enables public bodies to specify best practice digital information management processes through the construction and maintenance stage via building information modelling (BIM). BIM is the process of accurately creating, managing and exchanging digital information within the built environment and is underpinned by a suite of international standards.

SFT is leading the BIM programme on behalf of the Scottish Government to ultimately help the public sector better procure and care for their buildings through the use of BIM and its data rich environment. 

The Learning Estate Investment Programme will implement the new SIMP and it will support the delivery of low carbon, digitally-enabled schools and campuses.

Andy Dailly, who is head of school building at Scottish Government, said: “To support the efficient design, construction and operation of projects, the Learning Estate Investment Programme recognises the importance of good information management and collaboration by all parties. The Standard Information Management Plan has been embedded within the programme to help achieve this aim.”

In addition, the ability to create, manage and collaborate with project information digitally will support projects progress within the restrictions imposed by COVID 19.

The SIMP will deliver three key objectives:

1. Support a consistent approach in how public bodies specify BIM and how information is delivered to improve efficiencies and resilience during the asset lifecycle
2. Enable delivery of accurate as-built digital information models and operation and maintenance manuals to support effective asset management
3. Comply and align with new international standards in the adoption of BIM

The SIMP has been developed in partnership with industry and public bodies. The plan provides an innovative approach to support informed and consistent information requirements within projects.

Paul Dodd, who leads SFT’s infrastructure technology team, said: “Setting clear information requirements at the outset of the project will best support the adoption of BIM in accordance with ISO 19650. The SIMP seeks to support contracting authorities develop compliant, consistent and proportionate information requirements and realise the benefits this will bring.”

The plan provides a new and innovative dashboard to develop an information management strategy at the outset of the project, a flexible information workbook aligned to ISO 19650 that sets out clear information deliverables during the project lifecycle and finally a suite of templates to support the structuring of information through the project lifecycle.

As the industry begins to respond to the new international standards, the plan will support upskilling and wider adoption quicker and in doing so, realise the benefits it will bring sooner. SFT will continue to collaborate with contracting authorities and industry to refine the plan going forward and welcome feedback in its use.

David Carson, pre-construction director at BAM, added: “BAM fully support SFT’s Standard Information Management Plan (SIMP) as we believe it will bring clarity to the industry by providing clear and standardised information requirements for projects, meaning that all parties, clients, designers, contractors and subcontractors are clear on the information they are required to deliver at each stage of a project’s lifecycle.”