What is a Common Data Environment (CDE) and why is it required on Irish NDP projects?

A CDE (Common Data Environment) is the single source of truth for all project information — the agreed cloud platform where all design data is created, reviewed, approved and shared under ISO 19650 information management practice. On Irish NDP projects mandated by the OGP BIM Framework, HSE Capital Programme or DoE school building programme, a CDE is required as part of ISO 19650 compliance. The CDE eliminates the fragmented file-sharing (email, USB, Dropbox) that causes version control failures and design coordination errors on Irish projects.

What are the four zones in an ISO 19650-compliant CDE?

ISO 19650 defines four information states in a CDE: (1) Work in Progress (WIP) — information being created, visible only to the creating team, not yet shared; (2) Shared — information issued for coordination or review by other disciplines, not yet formally accepted; (3) Published — information formally approved and issued for use (construction, procurement, etc.); and (4) Archived — superseded information retained for reference but no longer current. All documents and models must pass through these states in sequence, with the CDE tracking the status of every information container.

How does GDPR apply to project data stored in a cloud CDE for Irish projects?

GDPR applies to project data in cloud CDEs where that data constitutes personal data — for example, CCTV coverage plans showing individual access routes, access control schedules naming individuals, or personnel records embedded in project documents. Where such data is transferred to a CDE hosted outside the EEA (as is common with US-headquartered platforms such as ACC), the data transfer requires a lawful basis under GDPR — typically Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) provided by the CDE platform in its terms of service. For general BIM model data and building drawings, GDPR issues typically do not arise.

Can an offshore BIM team work within an Irish project's CDE?

Yes. All major Irish project CDE platforms (ACC, Asite, Viewpoint) are cloud-based and accessible from any location with internet connectivity. ASDV works within client-specified CDEs on Irish NDP projects — receiving project information from the CDE, uploading models and reports to the CDE in the correct naming format and information status, and participating in coordination reviews via the CDE's issue management tools. Geographic location of the BIM team is irrelevant to CDE compliance — what matters is adherence to the project's naming conventions, workflow and information status requirements.

Common Data Environments (CDE) Compared — Ireland

Q: Which CDE platforms are used on HSE Capital Programme projects in Ireland?

Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC, formerly BIM 360) and Asite are the most commonly specified CDE platforms on HSE Capital Programme projects. HSE project briefs specify the CDE platform in the Employer Information Requirements — design teams must confirm their ability to work within the specified platform in the pre-contract BEP. ASDV has active experience on both ACC and Asite, and can onboard to either platform within 24 hours of CDE credential receipt.

Choosing the right CDE for an Irish NDP project is not always a free choice. HSE Capital Programme EIRs often specify Autodesk Construction Cloud or Asite. OGP framework projects may specify a different platform. And on private sector Irish projects without a client EIR specifying a CDE, the lead designer or project manager must select and configure a platform that satisfies ISO 19650 four-state information management requirements. This guide compares the main CDE platforms used on Irish NDP projects, covers the four ISO 19650 information states, and addresses the GDPR considerations that Irish teams often overlook when storing project data in US-headquartered cloud platforms.

What Is a Common Data Environment (CDE)?

Under ISO 19650, a CDE is the single source of truth for all project information — the agreed digital environment where all project data is created, reviewed, approved, shared and archived. It replaces the fragmented file management (email attachments, USB drives, personal Dropbox accounts) that causes version control failures and coordination errors on Irish construction projects. The CDE is not just a file storage system — it is a structured information management environment with workflow, status tracking and audit trail capabilities.

The Four CDE Zones — Work in Progress, Shared, Published, Archived

ISO 19650 defines four information states that every document and model must pass through:

Work in Progress (WIP) — Information being created by the authoring team. Not yet shared with other project parties. Visible only to the creating discipline team.
Shared — Information issued for review or coordination by other disciplines. Not yet formally approved or published. Other teams can see and comment but it is not "issued for construction."
Published — Information formally approved and issued for use — construction, procurement, client review or regulatory submission. This is the authoritative version.
Archived — Superseded information retained for reference. No longer current but maintained for audit trail and dispute resolution.

The four ISO 19650 information states that all documents and models must pass through in a compliant CDE — Work in Progress → Shared → Published → Archived. Every CDE platform used on Irish NDP projects must support these four states as a minimum for ISO 19650 compliance.

CDE Platform Options for Irish NDP Projects

Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC / BIM 360)

ACC (Autodesk Construction Cloud) — incorporating the former BIM 360 brand — is the dominant CDE platform on Irish NDP projects, particularly those led by Autodesk-heavy design teams using Revit as their BIM authoring tool. ACC's tight integration with Revit (direct model publishing to ACC, Revit Collaborate for cloud-native co-authoring) makes it the natural choice for ISO 19650-compliant Revit-based workflows. ACC is the most commonly specified CDE in HSE Capital Programme EIRs and is widely adopted across major Irish MEP and architecture practices.

Strengths for Irish projects: Revit integration, market-leading adoption among Irish design teams, strong clash detection integration (Navisworks Manage with ACC model feeds), and BIM Collaborate Pro for cloud-native coordination. Consideration: US data centre hosting (covered by ACC's EU Standard Contractual Clauses for GDPR compliance, but worth verifying for sensitive public sector Irish projects).

Asite

Asite is a UK/EU-origin CDE platform that has strong adoption on Irish public sector projects — particularly through Asite's established relationship with UK/Irish public sector bodies and its EU data hosting options. HSE Capital Programme projects and OGP framework contracts frequently specify Asite as the project CDE, making it an important platform for Irish practices working on public healthcare and government building commissions.

Strengths for Irish projects: EU data hosting options (important for public sector GDPR compliance); established Irish public sector adoption; document management, workflow and RFI management alongside BIM model storage. Consideration: Less tight Revit integration than ACC; document-management heritage means BIM model coordination features are less native than ACC's.

Viewpoint (Trimble)

Viewpoint (now part of the Trimble construction technology group) is specified on some Irish NDP projects, particularly those with Trimble-aligned quantity surveying or project management tools. Its strength is in document management, commercial management (cost tracking, variation management) and site coordination rather than BIM model coordination specifically.

GDPR and Data Sovereignty in Cloud CDEs for Ireland

For Irish public sector NDP projects — particularly HSE and Department of Justice commissions — the question of where project data is hosted has GDPR implications when the CDE stores personal data (CCTV plans, access control schedules naming individuals, personnel records). All major CDE platforms offer EU data residency options or provide Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) as the GDPR transfer mechanism. Irish project managers should confirm the data residency and GDPR compliance documentation with the CDE provider before the platform is specified in the BEP.

Common CDE Mistakes on Irish NDP Projects

Not configuring the four-state workflow correctly — models issued directly to Published without Shared review stage
Naming convention not set up before first model upload — discipline teams use different naming formats, breaking CDE organisation
Not revoking access for departed project team members — CDE security gap common on longer Irish NDP commissions
Using CDE storage as a backup system rather than an active information management tool — defeating the purpose of the CDE
Not archiving superseded models — WIP and Published zones become cluttered with outdated revisions

ASDV works within client-specified CDEs on all Irish NDP projects. See our BIM support services Ireland and our ISO 19650 explained guide for the broader information management context.

FAQs — CDE Platforms Ireland

A CDE is the single source of truth for all project information — required on ISO 19650-mandated Irish NDP projects. It eliminates version control failures and coordination errors by providing structured information management with workflow, status tracking and audit trail capabilities.

ACC (Autodesk Construction Cloud) and Asite are the most commonly specified on HSE Capital Programme projects. The specific platform is defined in the project's Employer Information Requirements — design teams must confirm their ability to work within the specified platform in the pre-contract BEP.

Work in Progress (WIP — being created, not yet shared); Shared (issued for coordination or review); Published (formally approved and issued for use); and Archived (superseded, retained for reference). All documents and models must pass through these states in sequence.

GDPR applies where CDE data constitutes personal data. For sensitive Irish public sector projects, confirm EU data residency or Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) with the CDE provider. General BIM model and drawing data typically does not raise GDPR issues.

Yes. All major CDE platforms are cloud-based and accessible globally. ASDV works within client-specified CDEs — ACC, Asite or Viewpoint — on Irish NDP projects. Geographic location is irrelevant to CDE compliance; adherence to naming conventions, workflow and information status requirements is what matters.

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ASDV Design Team

BIM Coordination Specialists — ASDV Consultant Ireland

ASDV works within client-specified CDEs on all Irish NDP projects — ACC, Asite and Viewpoint. Remote delivery from New Delhi to Dublin, Cork, Galway and nationwide.