Consensus-based standards are Required across the architecture, engineering, construction, owner and operator (A/E/C/O/O) industry

Collaboration and integrated, efficient project delivery methods are needed to achieve productivity gains within the  architecture, engineering, construction, owner and operator (A/E/C/O/O) industry.  At the same time a robust ONTOLOGY and consensus-based standards demand immediate focus.

The combination of proven business practices such as integrated project delivery (IPD), job order contracting (JOC), and other efficient construction methods, with standardized terms, definitions, and metrics are needed in order to achieve economic and environmental gains.

Efficient life-cycle management of the built environment can be easilyi achieved through prescribing effective, repeatable elements and mechanisms in the creation, exchange and  management of information. From a BIM perspective, for examply, elements and mechanisms  include “Reference Standards” of technology, classification systems and conformance specifications; “Technical and Information Exchange Standards” that describe processes and exchange requirements for specific tasks during different  parts of the building life cycle; “Standard Practice Guides,”  which outline processes and workflows for data modeling,  management, communication, project execution and delivery (and even contract specifications); and, finally, a “Glossary/
Terminology” section to rationalize the language and concepts used throughout the content in the standard.

via http://www.4Clicks.com – Premier cost estimating and efficient project delivery software solutions for JOC, SABER, IDIQ, MATOC, SATOC, MACC, POCA, BOA, BOS … featuring an exclusively enhanced 400,000 line item RSMeans Cost Database, visual estimating/automatic quantity take off ( QTO), and collaborative contract/project/document management, all in one application. Our technology is currently serving over 85% of United States Air Force bases and rapidly growing numbers of other DOD and non-DOD (United States Army Corps of Engineers, Army, GSA, Homeland Security, VA..) federal departments/agencies, as well as state/county/local governments, colleges/universities, healthcare, and airports/transportation. RSMeans Strategic Partner

Top Ten Considerations for a Business Strategy for The Life-cycle Management of the Built Environment – BLM, LMB

Current Business Environment – Deconstruction of the AECOO Sector (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Operations, Owner)

1. Falling Transaction Costs
2. Falling Computing Costs
3. Falling Communication Costs
4. Increasing Collaboration and Communication
5. Over half of All Information is Digital… has and IP Address
6. Patterns are Now Transparent – Cost, Function, Productivity, …
7. Computer Software Applications and Traditional Databases are Dead – Being Replaced by Plug-ins and On-demand Data
8. Life-cycle Cost vs. First-Cost Focus
9. Propriety Information is contrary to Scale, Growth, Collaboration
10. Small/Local Action with Global Oversight Driving Horizontal vs. Vertical Value Chains

Business strategy is driven by our environment and associated demands and fundamental change is upon all of us.

 

 

BIM, Productivity, Architecture, Engineering, and Construction.

Albert E. was right…it’s all relative.

Stress and lack of productivity  are largely related to several factors: uncertainty, poor communication/collaboration, improperly assigned time factors, etc., and thus can only be mitigated.  Some us actually are cursed to love the associated  challenges and thrive on the unknown facing each new renovation, repair, or new construction project.

Can undue stress, uncertainty, risk, etc.  be minimized? Can productivity and transparency be improved?  Absolutely!  Here’s a “short list” of some items for consideration;
1. The construction project delivery method/process is the single most important aspect that impacts the tone and ultimate success/failure.  Focus within our industry must be shifted to business processes that encourage collaboration and upfront planning/information sharing: integrated project delivery – IPD, job order contracting – JOC, public private partnerships – PPC, etc.
2. Technology is an enabler, not a solution.  Benefit is maximized by embedding robust business process into technology…. not enabling poor processes!!!! (review the history of ERP systems – enterprise resource planning,  for a primer on the failures associated with spending millions on automating poor business practices – “garbage in = garbage out”.  That said, cloud computing (vs. cloud-washing) is a disruptive technology that will act as a catalyst to accelerate change in our industry and general business/social environment.
3. Revit, Archicad et al… are NOT BIM, but rather 3D visualization components of BIM.  BIM is the life-cycle management of the built environment supported by digital technology.  Again, an instance of technology supporting a robust process.  Don’t even THINK about implementing BIM without an understanding of robust life-cycle management / total cost of ownership processes, ontology, metrics, etc.
4. Our educational system as well as our industry is at the threshold of fundamental change.  Focus upon individual domains or silos of information/work will shift to integration and collaborative techniques. Adapt or fail.

 

Via http://www.4Clicks.com — Premier cost estimating and efficient project delivery software solutions for JOC, SABER, IDIQ, MATOC, SATOC, MACC, POCA, BOA, BOS … featuring an exclusively enhanced 400,000 line item RSMeans Cost Database complete with line item modifiers and full plain English descriptions.  Visual estimating/automatic quantity take off ( QTO),  and collaborative contract/project/document management, are all in one application.   Our integrated technology platform is complete with Contract, Project, and Document Management, and Visual Estimating/Electronic Quantity Take-off (QTO) to enable users to achieve higher levels of productivity, collaboration, transparency, and accuracy.  We currently serve over 85% of United States Air Force bases and rapidly growing numbers of other DOD and non-DOD (United States Army Corps of Engineers,  Army, GSA, Homeland Security, VA..) federal departments/agencies, as well as state/county/local governments, colleges/universities, healthcare,  and airports/transportation, as well as their AEs, Contractors, and Subcontractors.  An RSMeans Strategic Partner.

Cloud Computing, Construction, Engineering, Architecture and Productivity

Cloud computing is a more than catalyst for change, it is a DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY.  Cloud computing will drive significantly enhanced productivity within the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Facility Management Sectors by enabling the consistent deployment of integrated project delivery methods.   Owners, Contractors, Architects, Engineers and stakeholders of the built environment will benefit if they focus upon CHANGE MANAGEMENT and how to best leverage cloud computing.

1. Collaboration – True cloud computing (vs. cloud-washing, or simply posting legacy application to the cloud) lets users  work concurrently on projects in real-time (milliseconds)… virtually anyone, anywhere, anytime.  Multi-language and mult-currency, etc. can easily be implemented.
2. Security – Information is NEVER deleted.  This is potentially the best form of security available.   “Who” does “What” and “When” is always tracked and changes can be “rolled back” at any time by authorized administrators.  Furthermore, only changes are transmitted vs. full data sets and even these are encrypted.
3. IP Protection – Despite all the “hype” to the contrary, it is YOU, the user who determines how, when, and where to publish data.   For example, you can maintain information in your private area, publish as read only to specified members within a private cloud…or publish to all members in a private cloud, or publish information to all members in public cloud and enable rights to use and modify data.
4. Visualization –  Despite the pervasive misunderstanding of BIM and unfortunate focus upon 3D visualization, DATA visualization and the associated development and implementation of the colloborative life-cycle management of built environment are the benefits provided by BIM.  Cloud computing will accelerate data visualization and transparency among all stakeholders of physical infrastructure and promote performance-based processes.
5. Agility – Our work and natural environments are changing at an accelerated pace.  Rapid deployment, monitoring,  and the associated modification of processes and policies is becoming increasingly important.  Cloud computing deploys process faster than any other method currently available.   There is no longer a need to rely upon internal “IT” for deployment or applications specific changes.
6. Mobility – It is neither cost effective, nor efficient to have everyone working in offices or specified work settings.  Resources need to be tapped from multiple locations enabling use of “the best of the best”, and resources with localized resources and/or capabilities.   Cloud computing allows direct, transparent access to local resources while also communicating centralized processes and procedures.
7. Centralization of Information – While information can be scattered among several data centers, it also can be instantly consolidated to provide global management in support of an organization’s mission as well as associated, efficient local action.
8. Business Continuity – True, Internet access is required, however, would you rather store your information at your location and risk catastrophic failure, or have your information at multiple locations designed with redundancy, power backup, etc.?

BIG DATA and EFFICIENT CONSTRUCTION METHODS (Integrated Project Delivery, Job Order Contracting), CLOUD COMPUTING, and BIM are here to stay, are you ready?

via http://www.4Clicks.com – Premier cost estimating and efficient project delivery software for JOC, SABER, IDIQ, SATOC, MATOC, MACC, POCA, BOA, …

Roadmap

BIG DATA