After 25 years in the construction industry and 14 years with WebFM, I’ve witnessed the evolution of project delivery across continents. Now, as I lead our expansion in the Middle East, I’m struck by both the region’s ambition and its readiness to embrace digital transformation.
The Middle East isn’t just building structures—it’s building the future, from NEOM and The Red Sea to One Za’abeel and many more. These aren’t just construction projects; they’re statements of possibility.
But ambition without execution is just aspiration. And execution in construction comes down to one critical factor: information management.
I’ve seen brilliant designs compromised by poor handover. I’ve watched FM teams struggle with incomplete data. I’ve witnessed the frustration when a billion-dollar asset can’t operate efficiently because the information required to maintain it is scattered, incomplete, or inaccessible.
Here’s what I’ve learned: The gap between construction and operations isn’t a technical problem—it’s an education problem. Construction teams don’t always understand what FM needs. FM teams don’t always engage early enough to specify requirements. And both sides often lack a common framework for collaboration.
ISO 19650 provides that framework. It defines clear information requirements at every stage. It establishes accountability for data delivery. It creates a common language for construction and operations teams. However, it is only effective when appointing parties include design, construction, commissioning, asset management, and facility management contributors.
Standards alone don’t solve problems—people do. That’s why WebFM combines technology with consulting. We don’t just provide software; we provide strategic guidance on implementing ISO 19650 progressively, defining Asset Information Requirements, and achieving operational readiness.
The Middle East has the vision, investment, and ambition to lead global construction innovation—and it is already doing so. What’s needed now is the discipline to implement proven processes that ensure today’s construction investments become tomorrow’s operational assets.
That’s the journey I’m honoured to support.
What challenges are you facing in bridging construction to operations? Let’s discuss.
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