*by Christos Papageorgiou
The construction industry faces perennial challenges in completing projects on time, cost-effectively and with quality, while ensuring that they achieve their business objectives.
Recognizing this need, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published the standard ISO 6082:2025 — Construction Project Governance: Guidance on Delivery Management. The standard, drawn up in March 2025 by the International Technical Committee for Standardization ISO/TC 59 – Buildings and civil engineering works, provides a structured framework for governance and delivery management, with the aim that construction projects deliver measurable value from conception to completion.
Unlike technical standards that focus on design or materials, the new ISO 6082:2025 focuses on the strategic management level of a project — that is, how a project is guided, controlled and aligned with the organization's business goals.
Additionally, the standard places special emphasis on the role of the customer (or project owner), guiding organizations on how to translate their business intent into tangible, sustainable results through effective delivery management.
Key points of the standard include:
Defining governance roles, responsibilities and decision-making processes Ensuring alignment of project objectives with organizational strategy Managing performance, risk and value throughout the project Establishing transparency, accountability and effective oversight
The standard is aimed at both public and private entities, fostering collaboration between owners, designers and contractors, through clear expectations and strong governance structures. Thus, it helps bridge the gap between execution and exploitation of projects — a point where many constructions in the past have fallen behind.
With the implementation of ISO 6082:2025, in the future we are likely to see:
More organizations refer to this standard in their procurement, governance and project delivery policies Adopt governance checklists, maturity models or self-assessment tools aligned to the standard Align training and certification programs (for clients and project sponsors) to include skills in governance and delivery management Develop national or regional implementation guidelines (e.g. country adaptations) and integrate them with digital tools project governance
In conclusion, ISO 6082:2025 is an important milestone for the international construction industry. It offers a common framework and language for project governance, enabling organizations to deliver projects that are not only technically sound, but also strategically successful. In an industry where good governance often determines success or failure, ISO 6082:2025 sets a new benchmark for accountability, efficiency and sustainable value in the delivery of construction projects.
For project owners, managers and delivery partners, adopting the standard means moving from 'getting the job done' to 'creating value through the job'.
The adoption and implementation of European and International Standards in Cyprus is done through the Cyprus Organization for Standardization (CYS), which is the National body for standardization. Information on any developments in this matter, supply and/or reading of the standards, interested parties can obtain from the competent officers of (CYS) and from the Information & Service Center (KEPE).
*CYS Standardization Officer, Civil Engineer
