AEC Collaboration: Building A Stronger Industry Together

When bringing new voices to the table in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, it has been a perennial challenge to make sure those new voices are heard.

There has historically been a divide between general contractors and architects, and that gap needs to be bridged for more efficient projects. Better collaboration is a way to get there, and technology is a tool to help us achieve that.

A recent study found that nearly 90% of firms agree it’s time to embrace new digital technologies, and with remote and hybrid work continuing to be prolonged by the pandemic, adopting digital strategies is paramount to the AEC industry.

When we work seamlessly together less problems arise.

Better collaboration involves working seamlessly with others. Collaboration on a project is important because of the specter of rework lurking on the jobsite.

It was reported that poor project data and miscommunication on projects is responsible for 48% of all rework in construction in the United States.

No one goes into a project looking forward to doing their job twice. You should only have to do your job once and do it right. This is where collaboration is key.

Optimizing project outcomes through knowledge transfer.

Knowledge transfer in the AEC industry is critical. Firms must not only invest in technology, but in their employees too. With multiple generations involved in most projects, there is an increasing gap between the workforces. An easy but overlooked approach to closing this gap is by implementing generational cross-training mentorships.

As part of their career development, seasoned professionals can pass on their acquired skills on the field with insights to newer employees or interns, while the newer tech savvy employees teach the others how to use utilize any new software. This creates a winning culture that embraces all generations and increases team synergy.

A universal medium to working smarter.

Work smarter not harder. Mobile devices empower construction teams to work smarter. As a tool, they enable videos, photos, voice to text, and use a cloud-based platform to share information. With technology, teams can have everything they need at their fingertips.

Another huge benefit to construction collaboration is having a universal file type, and for many years that has been the PDF. Everyone can be on the same page and simplify the complexity when using PDFs.

An easy-to-use product like Bluebeam lets anyone use the most common and universal file type, PDF, to communicate. There are also Bluebeam Studio and Sessions tools that enable collaboration and help save time.

Bluebeam is an example of a bridging technology that can elevate the usefulness of a PDF by overlaying information on top of it.

Take the opportunity to download a free 30-day trial version and see firsthand how Bluebeam Revu enables collaboration and will help you get more done in less time. When it’s time to convert that 30-day trial to a subscription, contact Applied Software and talk to a Bluebeam expert about your firm’s specific needs.

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