Priority Construction has become the first Irish organization to achieve BIM certification through NSAI by using the Information Management Plans developed by Build Digital. This milestone marks a significant shift in how small and medium-sized contractors in Ireland approach digital construction standards. The company’s success demonstrates that structured digital transformation is not just for industry giants. It provides a practical blueprint for others looking to strengthen their internal processes.
The achievement is rooted in the contractor’s adoption of specific templates aligned with ISO 19650-2. These templates define the processes, responsibilities, and decision-making structures needed to manage information effectively. Rather than treating BIM as a mere software exercise, the firm focused on the underlying workflow. This approach allowed the team to examine their existing practices in detail without getting lost in technical jargon.
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Practical Templates Replace Complex Software
For many construction firms, the term “BIM implementation” can feel overwhelming. Unfamiliar terminology and strict standards often create hesitation. Priority Construction found that the Build Digital plans made the process significantly more manageable. The team described the Information Management Plans as logical, sensible, and straightforward to complete.
The plans helped the company organize its objectives, resources, and technology requirements. The result was not just a document created to tick a box for certification. It became a practical framework that supports the company’s ongoing project delivery. By having a defined structure, the team could better understand how information would be created, managed, and exchanged across projects. This clarity reduces ambiguity and limits duplication in daily operations.
Preparing for the Capital Works Mandate
The decision to align with these standards reflects a strategic move ahead of expanding public sector requirements. Under the Capital Works Management Framework, BIM requirements are being introduced progressively across public works projects. As the applicable project-value threshold lowers, more contracts will require contractors to demonstrate specific information management competencies. Waiting until a tender demands this evidence can lead to significant time pressure and rushed implementation.
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Priority Construction took the opposite approach by preparing its systems and people in advance. This proactive investment provides a marked advantage when competing for future public-sector work. The NSAI certification offers independent assurance that the company has documented its approach to BIM. For clients, this adds a layer of confidence that the contractor can manage project information consistently and under controlled conditions. It signals that the company is aligned with best-practice guidance and the direction of travel for public works in Ireland.
Real-World Benefits for the Supply Chain
Connor McCarthy, Information Manager, Priority Construction, commented: “The Build Digital resources and templates have been very important in getting Priority Construction over the line with certification. The Information Management Plans videos and guidance have been essential, setting us on a clear path to meeting the Irish BIM Mandate when it reaches the threshold for the projects we typically bid for. Furthermore, Build Digital offers a lot of practical advice on BIM adoption. “The BIM Mandate is going to be a major challenge for the whole industry, and I feel that Build Digital’s resources have put Priority Construction in a good spot to meet the changes.
Robert Moore, Build Digital Project Lead, said, “We specifically designed the Information Management Plans to be compliant with ISO 19650. This makes them a very suitable approach for organisations preparing for BIM certification through NSAI. The intention was always to provide Irish organisations with practical templates that translate the requirements of the standard into something that can be applied within their own business.”
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The on-site impact of this certification is already visible. Capping works by Priority Construction were carried out using GPS-enabled dozers and intelligent excavators. This use of technology was made possible by the robust information management framework established through the certification. The data collected by these machines is now managed within a controlled environment, ensuring accuracy and consistency. This level of precision is difficult to achieve without a clear protocol for how digital data is handled and stored.
By adopting these plans, Priority Construction has set a precedent for the wider Irish construction industry. It shows that digital transformation is achievable for companies with clear leadership and a willingness to examine their processes. The company is now positioned to compete confidently as digital information management becomes a standard part of project procurement. Their experience sends a clear message: structured information management planning is logical and well within reach for the entire sector.
