Nima calls for consistent information requirements from government

Nima has responded to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government’s (MHCLG) consultation on the strategy for the built environment professions, trades and occupations.

It believes it is important for government bodies to share useful knowledge and information, to promote consistent and joined-up thinking, and to champion examples of best practice across departmental boundaries.

Nima notes government’s role as construction’s biggest customer and wants it to take a leading role. “Government should take its opportunities as legislator, regulator and owner-operator of built and managed assets to provide the leadership and exemplars for the sector, as it did from 2009 to 2016,” it said. “Legislation can encourage digitalisation by empowering departments to prescribe international open standards as the minimum expectation for submissions and approvals. Regulatory processes can be automated using machine-operable standards, an area in which the UK has led the way for three decades.

“As client-owner-operator for 17% of the sector, [the] government should lead with minimum qualifications, competencies and capabilities in advance of any legislative programme.”

Nima’s response reiterates much of what it detailed in the consultation on the single construction regulator: “Nima feels the principles in its Information Management Initiative and in the GIIG Code of Practice should be embedded in the construction regulator’s digital operating model guidance, procurement expectations and interface requirements. It particularly recommends that framework procurement routes (for example, Build UK’s Common Assessment Standard) incorporate strong requirements on information management so that organisations and individuals are mandated to apply the latest best practices as a prerequisite of prequalification.

“Beyond initial appointment, it is vital that all individuals (and their employing organisations) maintain their competence in information management, undertaking appropriate training or CPD activities to remain abreast of current standards and requirements.”