Integrating digital tools aids communication, collaboration, and functionality

Jason M Beck, Vice President Building Technology, WSP USA

In simple terms, digital transformation is the integration of digital tools to optimize processes and make them more efficient.  In the design and construction industry there are plentiful opportunities to use digital toolsduring this journey.  It most certainly is a journey and not a destination.  In my role at WSP we focus a lot on desired outcomes for our clients.  Operational efficiency, safety and security, sustainability and inspiring user experience are common themes of this focus.  These outcomes can be realized during project delivery as well, not just in the final product. WSP focuses on how these can be enabled by adopting tools offered through digital transformation.

As technology advances, firms must both strategically and tactically plan, organize, and align around technology adoption and the transitions involved in doing so.  This is no easy task.If an organization can commit to technology adoption and put into place a change management process to address each stakeholder’s workflow, the desired, even amazing results, can be achieved by the people that will choose, develop, deploy, and use these tools.Implementing an effective digital transformation puts them at the center of focus throughout the process.

To begin this process, I suggest focusing on the desired end-state of the project. Ask yourself, who is your clientele and how do they utilize their built environment?  How do they define success in their projects and what drives best-in-class operations and experience for them?  Identify the key handoffs during the project process and determine where things can be improved over traditional solutions. Lastly, find areas where the industry struggles and those that can apply to a broad range of clientele.  Transformational answers to these questions can inform and impact a large group of stakeholders across the building lifecycle.

AS BUILT / TOP PROCESS

I recommend using a robust collaboration tool that serves a project for the entire lifecycle of the facility.  Implement it at the very beginning of planning to drives good behavior amongst team members via prescriptive workflows and transparency.  At the end you have everything in a single location that is searchable and organized.  It essentially eliminates the traditional As-Built and Turnover Package process at the end of the project—a step that no one likes and is traditionally assigned to young project engineers who have little or no understanding of how the building is going to be utilized and operated.  However, when using a digital collaboration tool, everything is organized in a consistent and prescriptive manner driven for the end user by a project information manager. The result is a searchable, organized, comprehensive digital twin that is useful to building, real estate, asset management, property management and facilities management teams that are responsible for planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of a facility.  Furthermore, collecting and saving this data for the next project is especially useful when capital improvements are required.

“When using a digital collaboration tool, everything is organized in a consistent and prescriptive manner driven for the end user by a project information manager.”

START-UP AND COMMISSIONING

Many projects require a buyout of the start-up and commissioning services during the construction phase.  The more complex and arduous the effort required, the earlier in the lifecycle this should be done.  If there are compliance implications, then sometimes this is where buyout begins.  The project parameters for success are determined by the testing results that must be met by the facility.  Over the past several years some commissioning agents have transitioned to a monitoring-based commissioning platform.  This allows further insight into the operation and performance of our client’s building systems, primarily mechanical HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems.  

It enables a commissioning agent to determine pass/fail based on data in lieu of testing outcomes which can be subjective at times.  Furthermore, when these systems remain in place, the facilities maintenance and operations team is enabled to continuously commission the building, enforce warranties, and make small tweaks for optimization which result in financial savings over time, which can be significant.  Lastly, they have complimentary functionality in terms of HVAC fault detection and diagnostics as well as energy management tools.

VDC/BIM

A significant challenge I sometimes see is the ability for designers and constructors to communicate with the owner.  While architects and engineers who work with design tools every day can read two-dimensional drawings and visualize what the project will look like once built, many clients cannot.  This is not their everyday area of expertise.  Having the ability to render their design, known as virtual design and construction,via their building information management model removes that barrier from the owner or end-user to comprehend what it will look like once constructed. Solid communication can help a client understand how one space relates to another; what the ambiance of a space will be; and even an opportunity to review options across textures, colors, and a myriad of other design options.  It enables the design disciplines to coordinate their designs, perform clash detection and perform detailed constructability reviews.  Lastly, this is being taken to another level with the advent of virtual reality and augmented reality.

While there are areas where the industry has historically struggled, WSP is working with solution providers and innovative tools to mitigate challenges and benefit our clients.  We challenge ourselves to provide an ecosystem that serves designers, contractors, landlords and building operators across the built environment lifecycle that results in better outcomes in quality, efficiency, and financial performance.WSP’s global portfolio of projects leverages digital transformation in the construction industry for digital design and conceptualizing smart buildings across industries.