In an era where data drives decision-making, the construction and infrastructure sectors are on the cusp of a transformative shift. The newly launched Information Management Initiative (IMI) is set to redefine how organisations manage, share, and leverage information. Spearheaded by Nima and supported by industry experts like Chris Lees, CEO of Data Clan, the IMI offers a streamlined, future-proof approach to information management across the built and managed environment.
Here’s why the IMI is important, how it differs from previous mandates, and what it means for the future of the industry. We’ve summarised the key points raised in the webinar, but you can watch the full recording on demand below:
The why behind the IMI
Information is the lifeblood of the built environment, influencing everything from construction to maintenance and safety. However, as Chris Lees pointed out, the sector has historically struggled to achieve consistency in managing this information. Despite isolated examples of success, most organisations face challenges such as:
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Fragmented data: siloed information systems make seamless data sharing difficult.
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Ambiguity in responsibilities: many stakeholders are unclear on their roles in managing information.
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Lagging progress: adoption of effective practices has been slow, partly due to complexity and lack of clarity.
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Lees emphasises, "We are all information managers—this is not somebody else's job…productivity is also paramount and that can't be done without effective information management." This powerful statement underpins the IMI’s mission to make information management a shared, universal responsibility.
What is the Information Management Initiative (IMI)?
The IMI builds upon the lessons learned from the 2016 BIM mandate and the Transforming Infrastructure Performance Roadmap to 2030. However, it introduces several critical updates to address the shortcomings of its predecessors:
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Organisation-level focus
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Unlike earlier efforts that focused on project-level adoption, the IMI emphasises embedding information management practices across entire organisations. This ensures consistency, scalability, and long-term benefits.
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Simplification and clarity
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By making information management less ambiguous and more actionable, the IMI removes barriers to adoption.
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Digital integration across lifecycles
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The IMI enables seamless data flow through all phases of the built environment, benefiting all stakeholders—from developers to end-users.
Key principles of the IMI
One of the IMI’s most compelling aspects is its focus on delivering tangible benefits. Good information management doesn’t just meet regulatory requirements—it drives measurable value:
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Cost savings: organisations that adopt holistic information management practices see significant financial returns. Poor practices, on the other hand, often lead to costly disputes and inefficiencies.
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Improved productivity: by reducing time wasted searching for information or managing disorganized data, teams can focus on higher-value tasks.
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Enhanced compliance: initiatives like the Building Safety Act rely on a “golden thread” of accurate, accessible data—a goal the IMI helps organisations achieve.
Lees puts it succinctly: "If you’re not saving money through good information management, you’re doing it wrong."
The role of email management in information practices
While the IMI addresses broader information management challenges, email management plays a crucial supporting role. As the most common form of project correspondence, email is often neglected in information strategies, leading to:
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Project-critical information buried in individual inboxes can be irretrievable when needed.
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Poor email management is a leading cause of project disputes, with 85% of scope changes linked to email correspondence.
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Teams spending hours searching for emails, detracting from productivity.
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Proper email management ensures that project teams can access, share, and store information efficiently, supporting the IMI’s overarching goals.
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Find out more about the benefits of email management and why it’s essential to project success.
What’s next for the IMI?
The new approach to information management in the UK: IMI, launched on November 7, 2024, marking the start of its adoption phase.
The Information Management Initiative represents a turning point for the construction and infrastructure sectors. By simplifying and standardising information practices, it not only ensures compliance with regulations but also unlocks significant financial, operational, and safety benefits.
Whether you’re a contractor, regulator, or end-user, the IMI’s message is clear: information management is everyone’s responsibility—and it’s time to get it right.
If you’d like to learn more on how Ideagen Mail Manager can help you address your information management concerns, book a demo with our team today or download a free trial!
