UK to work with USA on National BIM Program

After much speculation, the United Kingdom and the United States have confirmed that they will work together to develop a US National BIM Program.

A breakthrough memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlines how both the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) will work with experts from the UK’s Centre for Digital Built Britain (CDBB) on setting national BIM standards in the US, supporting international alignment on technical standards for the built environment.

Lakisha A. Woods, President and CEO of NIBS, said: “The mission of the U.S. National BIM Program is to convene industry stakeholders to lead the development and broad deployment of next-generation national information management standards and practices focused on significantly improving the built environment delivery and operation processes.”

The collaboration between NIBS and the CDBB will see them adapt the UK program model and materials as a guide to creating a new roadmap for the US that aligns with the international standard for BIM – ISO19650.

Another aim of the MoU is to encourage the public and private sectors in both countries to learn from each other, exchanging best practices to create benefits for both economies and boost trade opportunities from increasing the sector’s productivity and performance.

The US National BIM Program is expected to manifest a more productive and collaborative international digital construction sector with the facilitation of innovation driving increased value, all of which will hope to secure long-term sustainable growth.

Adam Matthews, Head of International at CDBB, said: “This partnership continues the global trend of knowledge sharing between countries that is accelerating and aligning the construction sector’s digitalisation journey. It marks the culmination of two years of close joint working between the two countries – by working together to innovate the built environment, we can create better outcomes for people and places.”