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Virtual Design and Construction Innovation Summit

November 13, 2018
Staff
Each fall, Gilbane’s Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) leaders gather together from 10 different offices and jobsites across the country to talk tech, showcase the best deliverables, and brainstorm about the latest construction industry technology needs. This year’s Innovation Summit gathered 17 in-house VDC managers and engineers in Houston for two days. The days were packed with sticky-note brainstorming sessions, break-out sessions, and panel discussions with executive leadership.

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Gilbane’s Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) leaders gathered in Houston for an annual Innovation Summit

Face-to Face Communication

Though it would be easy to jump on a virtual call, as a best practice, we recommend that even tech-enabled professionals meet in-person annually to collaborate without distractions, to build relationships, share successes, and work together to solve challenges.  It was helpful to hear directly from the Houston VDC group about streamlining 3D printing, from the New York VDC group about Virtual  Reality (VR)-ready meeting platforms, and from the Phoenix VDC group about the logistics and insurance requirements of flying drones.  Our VDC teams left Houston with stronger bonds and the desire to stay connected.

Thought Leaders

During the year on our calls, determining who knows the latest about BIM or Field mobile platforms and whether anyone has tried the newest 4D estimating tools became challenging. The summit formally recognized experts in specific software and hardware platforms. Thought leaders were assigned to guide small groups tasked with exploring evaluate current workflows, comparing software, and recommending changes to ensure we stay on top of technology. A sample of break-out topics included upcoming new deliverables such as:

  • Reality Capture (laser scanning, 360 cameras, drone photography)
  • 3D Printing
  • Estimate Trending (with data visualizations, graphs, and insights)
  • The connected jobsite (tablets and BIM enabled field teams)

Continuing the Conversation

Gilbane VDC will use a cloud-based collaboration hub that launched at the Innovation Summit to share updates and search for information in real-time.  Per global marketing intelligence firm, IDC research, this hub will result in 32% less email, 23% fewer meetings, and 86% easier access to information.

Are you at the Autodesk University Vegas conference this week? Gilbane’s Ian Carney, Sr. VDC Engineer, and John Myers,  Director VDC New England, will be presenting “The Revit Requirement: Benefits of TC & Designer Single Software Project Delivery” today at 4:30 PST. Click here for more information.