Digital Consultancy of the Year shortlist

This project proves that data-led MMC, powered by collaborative digital consultancy, can redefine NHS infrastructure delivery – faster, greener, and future-ready.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) faced a formidable information management challenge on its Small Secure Houseblock Programme, comprising more than 200 live projects and involving more than 1,000 stakeholders. The programme required timely validation of project information aligned with stringent UK BIM Framework and ISO 19650 standards – but lacked the digital infrastructure to manage this at scale.

Mace led a transformative solution using Morta.io, automating validation of more than 13,000 information items across eight prison sites and three tier one contractors. The system integrated familiar tools such as Excel with cloud platforms including Power BI, Viewpoint, and Solibri, ensuring seamless IFC and Open BIM compliance. Bespoke templates and dashboards tracked contractor performance, reducing file validation time from 20 minutes to under a minute.

The results were impressive: a 99% reduction in information review time, 15% projected cost savings, and a 25% increase in compliance with MoJ documentation requirements. Error rates dropped from 60% to 35%, while automation ensured sustainability deliverables like BREEAM reports and TM54 assessments met environmental targets.

More than 200 stakeholders were onboarded through targeted training and cultural change efforts. Mace’s structured, scalable digital solution now underpins the MoJ’s modular delivery strategy, delivering compliance, clarity and long-term digital resilience across the justice estate.

The University of St Andrews faced mounting challenges managing its estate data, asset lifecycle, and project documentation, and was plagued by fragmented systems, inconsistent formats and manual inefficiencies. Majenta Solutions was brought in to lead a digital transformation underpinned by BIM, aligned to ISO 19650, overhauling outdated practices and introducing standardised, data-driven workflows.

A central feature was the deployment of a cloud-based common data environment to improve document control, real-time collaboration, and asset management. Automated data integration ensured seamless transfer to Planon, the university’s CAFM platform, removing manual entry errors. Majenta’s phased implementation included stakeholder engagement workshops, hands-on training, and careful integration with existing facilities systems to ease the transition.

The results were transformational. Project coordination time dropped by an estimated 40%, while coordination errors were reduced by 95%. Predictive maintenance strategies, enabled by IoT integration, contributed to a 10% cut in maintenance and repair costs. Project handover was accelerated through structured workflows and automation, while digital upskilling of university staff ensured long-term adoption.

The benefits extended to the supply chain, where ISO 19650-compliant protocols enhanced collaboration and documentation consistency. Material waste was reduced via improved resource tracking, supporting the university’s sustainability goals.

This scalable solution has become the new standard for all capital projects, positioning St Andrews as a digital estate management leader in higher education and setting a replicable benchmark across the sector.

BMW’s Spartanburg facility in South Carolina is central to the company’s global manufacturing expansion. While BMW has long embraced CAD in automotive production, it sought to extend digitisation into the construction and procurement of its facilities. The group engaged Okana to define and deliver this ambition, addressing key challenges, including managing vast datasets, stringent cost accuracy requirements, and ensuring early design fidelity.

Embedded on site for much of the project, Okana collaborated closely with the delivery team, enabling real-time analysis and decision-making. It developed a federated model combining existing asset data, live construction models, point cloud scans and technology manufacturer inputs, supporting critical processes like clash detection and forensic analysis. The model also enabled advanced studies, including ‘no-fly’ zones for manufacturing equipment, evacuation analysis, and damage attribution using scan data.

To mitigate risk, Okana established a robust cost verification process, challenging estimations with detailed design-based analysis. This prevented more than $12m (£9m) in cost discrepancies – more than 30% of project value – particularly on structural elements like steelwork. A data warehouse-powered project dashboard offered stakeholders high-level and drill-down insights.

Using BIMCollab, Okana achieved a 99% resolution rate across all identified issues, enabled by training and structured workflows for the supply chain. The result: BMW Americas is now the group’s benchmark for digital construction excellence. All processes, scripts and dashboards were shared openly within BMW, allowing global replication and reinforcing Okana’s commitment to transparency and innovation.

Plymouth CAST, a multi-academy trust overseeing more than 35 schools, is seeking to achieve ambitious net-zero targets by 2050. A fragmented digital estate, ageing infrastructure and limited funding posed major barriers. Systems were siloed and inefficient, undermining efforts to monitor energy use or prioritise maintenance across a varied portfolio.

In response, digital consultancy ONE Creative Environments developed ONE TwinVis, a software-agnostic digital twin platform tailored to CAST’s needs. Co-developed with facilities teams, the platform integrates IoT sensors, building management systems (BMS) and QR-coded assets to provide live data and predictive maintenance insights. Inspired by best practices in healthcare and manufacturing, the tool automates compliance tracking and delivers real-time insights via intuitive dashboards.

A phased roll-out began with a pilot school to validate return on investment before scaling. Integration with PV solar panel systems, BACnet-based BMS and legacy data sources, such as BIM models and condition surveys, ensured compatibility across all sites.

Results are compelling. CAST now benefits from reduced unplanned maintenance, streamlined compliance and measurable energy savings. Facilities teams report enhanced responsiveness and morale, supported by mobile access and visual heatmaps. The system improves financial forecasting, extends asset life, and reduces carbon emissions – key goals of the Department for Education’s net-zero agenda.

By avoiding vendor lock-in and prioritising interoperability, ONE TwinVis offers a replicable model for other public estates. ONE’s solution exemplifies how digital consultancy can drive sustainable transformation at scale.

Founded in early 2023, RLB Digital has rapidly established itself as a forward-thinking digital consultancy within the built environment. The consultancy’s dual challenge has been growth while maintaining its culture of innovation and client-centricity.

To enhance project delivery, RLB Digital evolved its RLB Field platform, introduced internal resource dashboards, and developed a suite of information management templates. A standout project involved creating a unified database of information requirements using Morta, aligned with ISO 19650, and implementing IFC 4.3 and IDS standards. Partnering with Morta and xBIM, RLB delivered the UK’s first 100% compliant IDS export.

‘Project Colin’ reimagines documentation using modular content to streamline creation of O&M, fire, and health and safety files, reducing duplication. The team also delivered a major data migration for a data centre client – transferring 9TB of data, 500,000 documents and 100,000 reviews from Autodesk BIM 360 to Microsoft SharePoint.

In response to the RAAC crisis, RLB built a Power BI dashboard and live application to help a large estate prioritise surveys and manage risk.

RLB’s Social Value Digital Platform cuts reporting time by 50% and operational costs by 30%. With thought leadership from experts like Emma Hooper and Rob Jackson, RLB Digital is setting a scalable benchmark for digital transformation across the sector.

The winners will be revealed at the gala dinner on 1 July at the Brewery in London.

You can join the shortlisted entrants by booking your seats at the awards.

The Digital Construction Awards are organised by Digital Construction Week, the Chartered Institute of Building, Construction Management and DC+. The first sponsor to be announced is Bluebeam.

To find out more about the Awards, visit digitalconstructionawards.co.uk.

Generative artificial intelligence was used to help with the creation of this article. All content in the article was sourced, checked and verified by our editorial team before publication.