Project Context

A large commercial building project was initiated with the vision of establishing a comprehensive digital framework that would streamline design, construction, and operations using innovative technologies.

However, a critical challenge emerged: stakeholders had limited awareness of ISO 19650 processes, documentation requirements, and Common Data Environment (CDE) workflows. This knowledge gap created delays, misalignment, and inefficiencies in digital construction practices — threatening the project’s goal of achieving a fully digitized and collaborative environment.

Client’s Initial Hurdles – The Challenge

Stakeholders unfamiliar with ISO 19650 workflows and requirements.

· Absence of standardized documentation (EIR, BEP, TIDP).

· Lack of a centralized Common Data Environment for collaboration.

· Complexity in linking 3D BIM models with project schedules for accurate 4D & 5D simulation.

· Risk of delays, cost overruns, and execution errors without digital coordination.

Why This Was Critical

Q1. Why were stakeholders struggling with ISO 19650?

Because most participants had little to no prior exposure to ISO 19650 workflows, leading to inconsistent file management, missing documentation, and confusion in responsibilities

Q2. Why was time a critical factor?

The project had a strict construction timeline without standardized digital processes, approvals, coordination, and clash resolution would delay design and execution by weeks.

Q3. Why did collaboration gaps pose a risk?

Multiple consultants, contractors, and design teams were working simultaneously. Without a Common Data Environment (CDE), information exchange risked becoming fragmented, causing rework and disputes.

Q4. Why were 4D & 5D BIM simulations essential?

Because linking the model with time and cost was the only way to monitor planned vs actual progress, validate constructability, and control project expenses effectively.

Q5. What would have gone wrong without intervention?

The project would have faced misaligned teams, higher rework, cost overruns, compliance issues, and lost opportunities to build a reusable digital asset for future operations.

Gaps in Existing Information

The project initially lacked a reliable foundation of digital processes and data.

• The absence of ISO 19650-compliant documentation (like BEP, EIR, and TIDP) meant there was no single source of truth for project information
• Existing workflows were siloed, with consultants and contractors exchanging files informally, leading to risks of duplication, missing updates, and version conflicts.
• There was no structured way to validate progress stakeholders had no visibility on how the planned schedule compared with actual site conditions.
• Critical project data was scattered across formats and platforms, with no mechanism for integration into a Common Data Environment.

This information gap made it impossible for the client to establish consistency, traceability, or confidence in decision-making.

Why Specific Requirements Mattered

The client’s vision went beyond just “using BIM tools.” They needed:

1. Standardization through ISO 19650 – To create a structured, repeatable process that would guide every stakeholder in file naming, documentation, and approvals.

2. A Common Data Environment (CDE) – To centralize all project information and ensure the right people accessed the right data at the right time.

3. 4D & 5D BIM integration – To link designs with schedule and cost, providing accurate visibility into progress and financial control.

4. Reality Capture with LiDAR – To verify site execution against plans, reduce risk of undetected errors, and update models with true As-Built data.

These weren’t optional add-ons they were critical enablers to meet project deadlines, maintain quality, and lay the foundation for long-term digital asset management.

The Desapex Solution

Desapex delivered a holistic, step-by-step solution tailored for a first-time ISO 19650 adoption project:

• Establishing the Framework

 Created ISO 19650-compliant documentation (EIR, BEP, TIDP, risk register, naming conventions). Conducted multiple workshops to train and align all stakeholders.

• ‍ Implementing the Common Data Environment

 Configured Autodesk Construction Cloud as the project’s digital backbone, ensuring every stakeholder worked from a single source of truth. Integrated clash detection  workflows to flag issues early.

• ‍4D & 5D Simulation

‍ Structured the BIM models according to the Work Breakdown Structure, assigned unique WBS IDs, and linked them with the project schedule and cost plans. This  enabled virtual construction simulations and precise tracking of planned vs actual progress.

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Reality Capture & Progress Validation

 Conducted periodic LiDAR scans of the site, feeding the data back into BIM models. This kept the models continuously updated to reflect real-world conditions and   prevented costly errors by catching deviations early.

The result was a robust digital project management ecosystem where stakeholders could collaborate seamlessly, track progress in real time, and make informed decisions with confidence.

Project Timeline & Milestones

• ‍Detail Design Phase: 6 months
• ‍Construction Phase: Periodic progress tracking and updates throughout execution

Technology & Tools Used

• Autodesk Revit
• Autodesk Construction Cloud
• Autodesk Navisworks
• Synchro 4D Pro
• Reality Capture Software & 360° TrueView

The Real Business Value Delivered

Through Desapex’s intervention, the project achieved:

· A fully operational ISO 19650-compliant digital framework.

· Seamless stakeholder collaboration through a Common Data Environment.

· Time & cost savings by detecting errors early via 4D & 5D simulation.

· Reduced rework and delays with LiDAR-based progress validation.

· Long-term digital assets for ongoing facility management and future refurbishments.

What This Means for Future Projects

From the client’s perspective, this project marked a turning point. What began as a challenge of limited ISO 19650 awareness transformed into a future-ready digital framework. They now have not just a one-time solution, but a scalable process they can replicate across upcoming developments. The digital assets created — updated BIM models, structured documentation, and validated As-Built records will continue delivering value long after construction is complete.

From the Desapex perspective, this project reaffirmed our belief that digital maturity starts with structure and collaboration. By guiding stakeholders through ISO 19650 adoption, training teams, and integrating technology step by step, we enabled a culture shift from fragmented practices to a single, collaborative digital ecosystem.

Looking at the future impact, the success of this project demonstrates how standardized frameworks, combined with BIM, 4D/5D simulations, and Reality Capture, can transform corporate real estate development. It sets a precedent where projects don’t just finish on time and on budget they leave behind living digital assets that support facility management, compliance, and smarter decision-making for decades to come.

In short, this case shows a simple truth: when clients invest in digital clarity and partners like Desapex deliver it with precision, every future project becomes faster, safer, and smarter.