OAG improve customer relations through commitment to BIM best practice
Overview
BRE has been raising the standards of the built environment since 1921 and is a recognised provider of training and certification in a range of services, including Information Management. This, along with BRE’s reputation within the industry, led OAG to work with BRE for this certification on the basis that it would show that they have received high quality assessment and certification from an industry-leading organisation.
About
OAGdesigns and delivers stunning architectural glazing solutions, working on some of the most iconic and challenging schemes in the UK. Established in 1995, OAG has extensive knowledge and experience built from a wide-ranging portfolio. The company’s design and engineering capabilities enable it to work and deliver some of the most elaborate schemes.
Background
As a client-centric organisation, OAG strives to consistently demonstrate the highest level of commitment to its clients. Information Management using Building Information Modelling (BIM) is transforming the construction industry and OAG saw an increase in the number of their clients looking for ISO 19650-2:2018 certification from their supply chain.
Challenges
No longer seen as a nice to have, but a must have requirement, certification helps the supply chain demonstrate conformance to ISO 19650-2:2018, accelerating innovation and collaboration of clients and project teams. OAG wanted to be in a strong position to help its clients, so the company made an organisational decision to be an early adopter of Information Management certification, establishing a thorough procedure for BIM projects within their organisation and embracing the culture of collaboration, to better help clients. OAG also wanted to have an internal method rather than rely on external sources. |
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Solutions
The certification process began in 2020, having already held ISO 9001, OAG had the opportunity to integrate the two standards, to tailor to the needs of not only BIM projects, but the projects where BIM isn’t required.
BRE worked closely with OAG throughout the certification process. An initial pre-assessment was undertaken which provided OAG with a detailed gap analysis of its processes. From these findings, the assessment was done in two stages. The first being a desktop assessment, where BRE analysed procedures to see if they aligned with ISO 19650-2:2018 and BRE scheme requirements. The second was assessing those procedures in practice on site to ensure they’re working as intended. OAG re-worked where necessary and provided evidence demonstrating that the systems in place were successful.
The final stage of the certification process saw BRE’s auditors review OAG’s work with projects such as AstraZeneca Travel Hub, 50 Finsbury Square and Morello II, Croydon. The certification process is thorough, with two main stages, from desktop assessment to onsite assessment and finishing with successful certification when all scheme requirements have been met. BRE’s BIM experts assessed OAG throughout the process and successful certification was completed in mid-2022.
Enhancing this achievement, during OAG’s certification process, BRE’s ISO 19650-2:2018 Information Management Certification for Businesses using BIM achieved accreditation by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). This makes BRE one of the first and few certification bodies in the world to offer ISO/IEC 17065:2012 accredited BIM certification. In turn, OAG was one of the first companies to hold this accredited certification internationally.
Accredited certification provides the highest level of assurance, as the certification scheme and its operation has been and is subject to regular assessments against the requirements of ISO/IEC 17065:2012, so you can be confident in the value of the BRE scheme.
Benefits
OAG has demonstrated to existing, and potential, clients that the organisation works to the core standards, principles, and workflows of ISO 19650-2:2018, and that its processes are managed effectively. Successful certification showcases that OAG is confident in the BIM environment and competent as an appointed party task team. Internally, it has led to a much deeper level of understanding of the BIM process and culture across OAG, which empowers their employees to embrace this method of working and seek Individual BIM Certification with BRE in addition to the company certification that has been achieved. As the demand for BIM requirements grows, OAG is keen to continue developing BIM processes within the organisation. Certification is maintained through annual audits and OAG is keen to re-engage with BRE on this on an on-going basis. As it currently stands 50% of the design team at OAG is using BIM, Design Director, James Batchelor would like to see this extend to the rest of the team within the next year, to help maintain their certification. He commented, “We are very excited to demonstrate our ability going forward and the benefits that a fully coordinated BIM design process will give on site. This is yet another reason why OAG stands out in our industry as a trusted partner, our clients know OAG will be a safe pair of hands.” |
BIM certification
Our scheme certifies an organisations’ capability to input into the Information Management process for the delivery phase of appointments (e.g. projects) and produce outputs from that process.
Certification helps the supply chain demonstrate conformance to ISO 19650-2:2018, accelerating innovation and collaboration of clients and project teams.
More about BIM certification