SCOTLAND has been urged to build on its BIM success following the publication of a new report, which examines how better use of data can improve the design, construction and operation of public buildings.
Commissioned by infrastructure body, the Scottish Futures Trust and prepared by consultancy firm Okana, the report, Scotland’s journey to a public sector digital estate, highlights the progress Scotland has made in adopting Building Information Modelling (BIM) over the past decade.
The report highlights how BIM and structured information management have become increasingly embedded across public sector construction projects, helping project teams collaborate more effectively, reduce errors, and improve decision-making.
Digital tools are also enabling designers and contractors to test and refine proposals before construction begins.
However, the research found that progress is not consistent across the public estate. While many organisations have embraced digital working, others continue to face challenges in embedding information management into day-to-day operations.
According to the report, the biggest opportunity now lies in the operational phase of buildings and infrastructure. Too often, information gathered during design and construction is said to be either lost, duplicated, or becomes difficult to access once a project has been handed over.
Ryan Tennyson, associate director at the Scottish Futures Trust, said, “Scotland’s BIM journey has reached an important milestone. The industry has shown what can be achieved when clear standards, strong leadership and collaboration come together.
The challenge now is making sure that the information created during project construction continues to work for building owners and operators long after the building becomes operational. Better information means better decisions, better-performing assets and better value for the public sector.
“Connected digital estates offer a practical way forward, helping organisations make the most of the information they already have while creating stronger foundations for future investment.”
The report highlights around £7.5 billion of public sector construction projects have already been delivered using structured information management approaches. It concludes that Scotland is well placed to build on this progress, however it warns that further progress will depend on organisations investing in skills, leadership and governance, while ensuring that information management becomes a routine part of managing public assets rather than something limited to individual projects.
Melanie Robinson, strategy director at Okana, added, “Scotland has done something many countries are still working towards: it has moved digital information management from a niche technical requirement into a genuine public-sector priority. The next major opportunity lies in the buildings we already own, and getting information about existing assets into a form that estates teams can actually use with clear ownership, realistic resourcing, and the discipline to maintain records over time.
“That is what a connected digital estate means in practice, and with the foundations already in place, it is entirely achievable.”
