Digital Builder

Leaders face the challenge of balancing rapid growth with technology integration. The conversation highlights the evolution of tech adoption in construction over the past 15 years. Empowering teams and fostering a culture of inclusivity are essential for navigating change. The shift to remote work has transformed collaboration, emphasizing clear communication. A strong data strategy is crucial for competitive advantage. Additionally, advancements in quantum computing and accessible tech enhance decision-making and project outcomes.

Intentional investment in raising an organization's data quality, improving its access to information, and creating and implementing robust, purpose-built technology deployments in the field is already proving to be transformative for all stakeholders across construction projects.   For leaders like Christy Steffen, Assistant Director of Gaylor University at Gaylor Electric, and Brandon Floyd, Director of Quality at Rosendin, they are already seeing the major upside to upskilling their teams and implementing these tools on site. In this episode, we’ve invited them to share how their teams are approaching the implementation of data-driven tools, team training programs, and more. We discuss: Ways to maintain a safe environment within a culture of continuous improvement How Gaylor Electric and Rosendin are approaching data training and implementation How project management technology has advanced over the last 10 years in the AEC industry The biggest challenges facing specialty contractors with project delivery and on-site safety How better data and on-demand access are already making field teams more efficient Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

Autodesk’s Global VP discusses the history of CAD and its future with AI tools in AEC. Topics include AI impact, avoiding 'Clippy', data security, decision-making, and collaboration tools. They explore the evolution of AutoCAD, ML integration, personalized tools, trust in technology, and cloud adoption in construction industry.

Contractors that are still opting for outdated payment management processes, like paper checks and double entry accounting, are starting to experience trouble in the form of higher subcontractor prices and potentially fewer options of partners to bring into projects. With these problems growing in frequency and severity, there is an urgent need to modernize our financial processes. In this episode, we sit down with Mike Milligan, Chief Growth Officer GCPay, an Autodesk Company, to explore the ins and outs of payment systems throughout the AEC ecosystem and make a strong case for why the financial side of our operations should be included in our technology adoption roadmaps.  We discuss: How payment systems vary by region whether by culture or regulations The harmful mindset that is holding companies back from digitizing their payment systems How utilizing digital payment solutions builds stronger relationships with sub-contractors The first steps to modernize your company’s payment system Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

One of the most important contributors to meeting project deadlines accurately and safely is having access to the most updated and accurate project information. For many years, issues like distance, storage, and communication methods have been major obstacles to onsite decision-making, project adaptations, and even building trust between on-site and off-site teams. Thanks to new technology, federal partnerships, and innovative approaches to these old problems, Departments of Transportation around the United States are seeing major improvements in how quickly they work, how much more they can accomplish, and how much more robust their team operations are.  During last year’s Autodesk University, we sat down with Andrew Pangallo, Construction Digital Delivery Lead Engineer at The Indiana Department of Transportation, and Kelly Barber, Division Chief for Systems Management at The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to hear more about how they are seeing these innovations are transforming the way their organizations work. We discuss: Core functions and goals of DOTs How INDOT and PennDOT are using technology to build trust between field and office workers, enable faster decision-making, and empower onsite leaders How INDOT and PennDOT are interfacing with the FHA’s Digital Construction Program How they are maintaining strict regulatory compliance while adopting new technologies How ongoing federal and industry partnerships are empowering innovation Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) programs are growing in their impact and importance across the entire AEC industry. When implemented correctly, DEIB improves profits, worker productivity and satisfaction, collaboration across business units, and makes companies more attractive to new and upcoming talent.  We had the chance to sit down with Randi Lucas, former Project Manager at CNY Group (now with Cord Meyer Development Company), and Reana Maglis, BIM VDC Manager at Hansen Yuncken, during Autodesk University to explore how you can create a high-impact, successful DEIB program in your organization. In this episode, we explore: Why DEIB Matters in Construction How Diversity in multiple categories improves creative thinking and problem solving A closer look at how Hansen Yuncken and CNY Group are approaching DEIB Current “gaps” in DEIB across the industry Where to start when building a DEIB program How to scale your DEIB program Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Construction is a balancing act from start to finish, that includes careful supervision of the finer details of each project like safety, budget, quality, while also managing multiple stakeholders, on and offsite teams, and staying on schedule.  That’s why improving predictability at all phases of a project is a top priority at companies like DPR Construction. At Autodesk University, we had the chance to sit down with DPR’s CTO Atul Khanzode and Tim Gaylord, DPR’s Corporate Director of Innovation to learn more about how DPR is approaching technology deployment across all levels of the organization, how IPD is transforming collaboration throughout the entire construction process, and how other organizations can benefit from their learnings. In this episode, we cover Why consistent predictability is a challenge in construction How to maintain employee confidence when implementing new processes or technology How to win support for IPD DPR’s approach to technology deployment The advantages of specialization and how subject matter experts can bridge the gaps between various business units Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

Intuitive Machines aimed to be the first private, US commercial company to send a spacecraft to the moon. On February 22, 2024 they accomplished that goal. Helping Intuitive Machines realize their dreams was today’s guest, Stephen Brooke, a Digital Delivery Manager at Burns & McDonnell. With the recent completion of the SuperBAB operations and testing facility in Houston, TX, Stephen joined us at Autodesk University to share how the project was brought to life, how Burns & McDonnell approaches value delivery and client success, and how data and AI will continue to impact the future of the AEC industry. We also talk about: Stephen’s career journey through the industry Intuitive Machines’ testing facility How to encourage an innovative mindset in the next generation Collaborating with vendors to bring value to clients  Assets Mentioned: The Mural Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

One of the most exciting ways the AEC industry is continuing to find new ways to increase sustainability and safety is through mass timber construction. That’s why we’ve invited Ariana Cohn, a Digital Construction Engineer at Timberlab, an organization dedicated to advancing the mass timber’s mainstream adoption.  Whether it’s mass timber’s impact on the environment, or its ease of use in prefab and modular construction, there is so much potential for it to be a game changer for the industry.   Here are some of the topics you can look forward to in this episode:  The top misconceptions about mass timber Timberlab’s approach to its mission A day in the life of a Digital Construction Engineer at Timberlab The biggest obstacles for mass timber’s mainstream adoption Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

This week, Autodesk’s Chief Marketing Officer Dara Treseder, joins Eric at Autodesk University to break down the 2023 State of Design & Make report, including the key focuses of the study, narrative shifts across the AEC industry, and the competitive difference between Digital Transformation and Digital Maturity. In this episode, you will learn: How companies across the AEC industry are experiencing the benefits of converging technologies Why companies focusing on Digital Maturity are maintaining a statistically significant competitive advantage How to engage the next generation of talent Why the future of AEC innovation is going to focus on augmentation in our workforce Assets Mentioned: The 2023 State of Design & Make Report Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.