The U.K.-based Network for Information Management and Analysis (nima) and the Digital Operations Working Group (DOWG) have launched a collaborative initiative aimed at addressing one of the most persistent challenges in the built environment: the disconnect between project delivery data and operational asset information, tells AEC Magazine.
Despite significant advances in digital design, BIM, and information management, much of the data generated during the design and construction phases fails to deliver value once a facility enters operation. Asset owners and operators frequently struggle to access reliable, structured information that can support maintenance, performance monitoring, compliance, and lifecycle management. The new partnership seeks to close this gap by aligning information requirements across the entire asset lifecycle.
The initiative brings together nima’s expertise in information management standards and DOWG’s focus on operational outcomes. Rather than treating project delivery and operations as separate disciplines, the collaboration promotes a continuous flow of trusted data from planning and construction through long-term asset management. The goal is to ensure that information created during a project remains useful and accessible after handover, when facilities begin generating operational data and business value.
A central focus of the effort is the development of practical guidance and frameworks that help organizations define, manage, and exchange information more effectively. The partners argue that many digital transformation efforts have concentrated heavily on technology while paying insufficient attention to the information itself. By establishing clearer requirements and governance practices, the industry can improve decision-making, reduce inefficiencies, and support better outcomes throughout an asset’s life.
The collaboration also reflects a broader shift in the architecture, engineering, construction, and operations sector toward data-centric asset management. As digital twins, connected infrastructure, and smart building technologies become more common, the quality and consistency of underlying information are increasingly critical.
By bringing together project delivery and operational stakeholders, nima and DOWG hope to create a shared approach that enables information to flow seamlessly across organizational boundaries. The initiative aims to help asset owners extract greater long-term value from their digital investments while supporting more sustainable and efficient management of the built environment.