Priority Construction’s successful NSAI BIM certification proves that digital transformation isn’t just for industry giants. By leveraging Build Digital’s free, step-by-step Information Management Plans, small to medium contractors now have a practical blueprint to strengthen internal processes and stay competitive as public sector BIM mandates expand.  Priority Construction has become the first Irish organisation to achieve BIM certification through NSAI using the Information Management Plans developed by Build Digital, marking an important milestone for both the company and Ireland’s wider digital construction programme.

The achievement demonstrates Priority Construction’s commitment to structured information management, digital delivery and continuous improvement. More importantly, it offers a practical example of how Irish construction companies can use Build Digital’s free resources to strengthen internal processes and prepare for expanding BIM requirements under the Capital Works Management Framework.

Build Digital developed its Information Management Plans to help organisations move from interest in BIM and digital construction to a clearly defined, implementable approach. The plans help organisations establish how information will be created, managed, reviewed, exchanged, and maintained across projects.

A PRACTICAL MILESTONE FOR IRISH CONTRACTORS

Rather than treating BIM as a software exercise, Information Management Plans provide templates for key ISO 19650-2 documents that define the processes, responsibilities, and decision-making structures needed to manage information effectively.

Priority Construction adopted the Build Digital templates as part of its preparation for BIM certification with NSAI. While the process required the company to carefully examine its existing practices, the Priority Construction team found the Information Management Plans logical, sensible, and straightforward to complete once they began working through the detail.

FOCUS ON PROCESS, NOT COMPLEX SOFTWARE

This is an important finding for other construction organisations that may be hesitant about starting their digital transformation journey. BIM implementation can seem complicated, particularly when organisations encounter unfamiliar terminology, standards, and technical requirements. Priority Construction’s experience demonstrates that a structured template can make the process significantly more manageable.

The Build Digital plans allowed Priority Construction to consider its objectives, resources, technology, responsibilities and implementation requirements in an organised manner. The result was not simply a document created to meet a certification requirement, but rather a practical framework that can support the company’s ongoing project delivery.

DEMYSTIFYING THE DIGITAL JOURNEY

Priority Construction’s decision to align its business with the Build Digital Information Management Plans also reflects considerable forward thinking.

The BIM requirements within the Capital Works Management Framework are being introduced progressively across public works projects. As the applicable project-value threshold reduces and BIM requirements extend to a broader range of contracts, contractors will increasingly need to demonstrate that they have appropriate information management systems, processes and competencies in place.

Organisations that wait until a tender requires evidence of BIM capability may find themselves attempting to introduce new processes under significant time pressure. Priority Construction has taken the opposite approach by preparing its systems and people in advance.

FUTURE-PROOFING FOR PUBLIC SECTOR TENDERS

This proactive investment should provide the company with a marked advantage when competing for future work, particularly public-sector projects delivered through the Capital Works Management Framework. Its NSAI certification provides independent assurance that the company has established and documented its approach to BIM and information management.

For clients, this provides additional confidence in Priority Construction’s ability to manage project information consistently and under controlled conditions. Clients can be assured that its approach aligns with best-practice guidance developed through Build Digital and the direction of travel for public works delivery in Ireland.

REAL-WORLD BENEFITS BEYOND COMPLIANCE

Effective information management has benefits throughout the project lifecycle. Clear requirements, defined responsibilities, and controlled information exchanges can reduce ambiguity, limit duplication, and support better coordination among clients, designers, contractors, and the wider supply chain.  to improved decision-making, greater transparency and a more reliable project record.

Priority Construction’s achievement is therefore significant beyond the certification itself. It shows that digital transformation is not limited to Ireland’s largest contractors or to organisations with extensive specialist resources. With clear leadership, structured guidance and a willingness to examine existing processes, companies can make meaningful and measurable progress.

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.”

BUILT BY THE INDUSTRY, FOR THE INDUSTRY

For Build Digital, the certification also strongly validates the programme’s focus on producing practical, industry-ready supports. Build Digital was established to enable the adoption and implementation of digital construction in Ireland. Its Information Management Plans were created to reduce the uncertainty organisations face when deciding how to begin or formalise their BIM journey.

 

A PROVEN ROADMAP FOR SMES

Priority Construction’s success in using these templates as the foundation for NSAI BIM certification shows these resources can support organisations through a recognised, independently assessed process. Priority Construction has set a valuable precedent for the Irish construction industry. By adopting the Build Digital Information Management Plans and achieving NSAI certification, the company has positioned itself not only to respond to today’s requirements, but to compete confidently as digital information management becomes an increasingly important part of project procurement and delivery.

Its experience sends a clear message to the wider industry: when examined and completed in detail, structured information management planning is logical, sensible and achievable. Priority Construction took that step early, giving the company, its project partners, and its clients a strong foundation for the future of digitally enabled construction in Ireland.

 

IN CONCLUSION

Priority Construction’s milestone strips away the intimidation surrounding BIM certification for SMEs. As digital mandates continue to roll out across Ireland’s construction sector, waiting for a public tender deadline to force your hand is a risk no contractor needs to take. By leveraging Build Digital’s free, industry-backed resources today, small and medium contractors can convert potential compliance headaches into a distinct competitive advantage—proving that structured digital transformation is logical, achievable, and well within reach for the entire industry.

 

To learn more about free resources available from Build Digital, visit www.buildigital.ie