Digital transformation in construction is about far more than adopting new platforms, creating BIM models or launching dashboards. According to Olufemi Akinwumi, senior information manager at WSP, organisations often focus on generating more data without ensuring that information is reliable, accessible and useful. As a result, duplicated files, inconsistent metadata and undocumented decisions can persist even in highly digitised environments.
Akinwumi argues that the missing ingredient is information discipline. While projects may operate in cloud-based environments and use advanced technologies, poor information management can undermine their value and limit long-term usability.
Building a Strong Information Strategy
The foundation of successful digital delivery is trust and control. Organisations must ensure information is current, authorised, appropriately detailed and traceable to a responsible source. Achieving this requires consistent naming conventions, meaningful metadata, defined information states, controlled access rights and clear audit trails.
He also stresses that a Common Data Environment (CDE) should be supported by robust governance rather than simply acting as a file repository. Effective governance includes role-based permissions, searchable metadata, proportionate review processes and practical naming standards, helping teams operate from a consistent and reliable framework.
Automation and Dashboards
Automation can significantly improve efficiency when applied to repetitive information management tasks such as validation, submission workflows, permissions and reporting. Akinwumi cites examples where Python-based solutions reduced manual effort by 80%, while a Power Platform tool at WSP cut response times by 65%.
However, he notes that automation should only be introduced once data requirements, responsibilities and exception processes are clearly understood. Similarly, dashboards are only valuable when they are built on reliable and well-governed data. Without this foundation, visualisations can mask underlying inconsistencies rather than provide meaningful insight.
Five Tests of Digital Maturity
Akinwumi outlines five key questions organisations should ask to assess their information management maturity:
- Can users access authorised information without relying on the original creator?
- Are information requirements linked to specific decisions or lifecycle needs?
- Are status, ownership and exceptions clearly visible through workflows?
- Does automation reduce friction while maintaining accountability?
- Will information remain useful after project completion for operation and maintenance purposes?
The Role of Information Management in Emerging Technologies
As technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital twins and connected platforms become more widespread, strong governance becomes even more important. Akinwumi warns: “When trained or prompted with unreliable information, an AI system will give unreliable assistance more efficiently.”
He adds that digital twins built on poorly controlled data may appear impressive but lack resilience and reliability. Ultimately, organisations that gain the greatest value from technology will be those with clearly defined information requirements, trusted systems and strong decision-making processes.
Concluding, Akinwumi emphasises that information management is not simply an administrative function but a critical enabler of digital delivery. “Information management is not an administrative abstraction of digital delivery. It is the infrastructure that enables digital delivery to scale.” When information is structured, governed and usable, technology becomes a dependable way of working rather than just a collection of tools.
