The Impact of Collaboration on Aec Innovation

The biggest problem in the AEC is not 'low productivity' - it's solving the SAME problem in MANY places. This means having 3 people in 100 companies solving the same problem, instead of having 300 people working together to solve it. Hear me out: A few years ago more and more countries started requiring AEC firms to do environmental analysis. Idea: Great! But there was very little software available to help architects and engineers to do this efficiently. So, many AEC firms, especially the ones with deeper pockets, started investing in 'building their own solution'. An 'in-house app' only they know how to use. And so it was: We had 3-10 people in 300-1000 companies building the 'Environmental App of The Future'. This helped keep the 'firm IP' - but it didn't look at something very important: We have been trying to solve the SAME problem in MANY places. Solution: Good in theory, but not in practice. Why? Because: • We have dissipated talent across many firms. • We lost so much time and money unnecessarily. • We still don't have a single reliable solution that works. This situation went so far that we had the SAME talent move from company to company, to solve the SAME problem. (yeah, really) So what is the solution to this I propose? I'm not saying everyone should open-source their apps, (even though the ones who do like Speckle and That Open Company are known for a reason) But I am saying that we need to THINK about this DIFFERENTLY. What do I mean by that: • We should focus on collaborating. • We should share our insights with others. • We should build out in the open, so everyone can join. (And if you don't think this works, I'm a living example that it does.) The AEC industry has so much talent for programming, for sharing, for building, for analyzing: BUT most of the talent is stuck in companies that don't allow them to fully grow. So if you want to truly make an impact and leave a legacy: 1. THINK differently. 2. ACT accordingly and openly. 3. BUILD in public and with everyone together. If you ask me - that is the only way we can move forward as an industry. We need MORE talent solving MANY problems and doing that TOGETHER. Stjepan #ai #aec #buildopenly #yourlegacy #ourimpact #bedifferent

In the world of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC), three things often don’t play nice together: budget, schedule, and scope. We’ve all seen projects where things unravel—change orders fly, fingers point, and collaboration breaks down. That’s where IPD (Integrated Project Delivery) comes in. It’s not new, but it’s more relevant than ever—and more powerful when paired with today’s connected tools and workflows. IPD Here’s a quick breakdown of why more AEC teams are turning to IPD and why it works. What is IPD, and How’s It Different? Integrated Project Delivery flips the script on the typical project structure. Instead of the owner hiring a designer and then a contractor—each with their own contracts and goals—IPD brings everyone together from the start. It’s a shared contract, shared risk, and shared reward model. Early involvement: The architect, builder, engineers, and owner all weigh in from day one. Shared goals: Everyone’s success is tied to the project outcome, not just their own deliverables. Real-time collaboration: Decisions are made as a team—not handed off from silo to silo. Why AEC Teams Choose IPD Fewer surprises When everyone’s in the room early, problems get spotted before they’re expensive. That means fewer RFIs, less rework, and fewer schedule slips. Better use of budget Instead of value engineering at the last minute, teams make smart choices throughout—maximizing the budget without compromising the design. Trust (yes, really) Shared goals lead to better relationships. It’s harder to blame when you're solving problems together. Faster decisions No more endless email chains or weeks waiting on a response. With regular check-ins and shared tools, decisions move at the speed of the project. How Technology Supercharges IPD Modern tools—like cloud-based model coordination, live dashboards, and shared data environments—turn the promise of IPD into something real. Centralizing communication Keeping models up to date and accessible Automating version control and document management Giving every stakeholder real-time visibility into progress The result? Less time wrangling information, more time solving actual project challenges. Real Talk: It’s Not Always Easy IPD isn’t magic. It takes: A strong owner who wants collaboration over control Teams willing to share both risk and reward Clear communication and the right tech stack But when it works, it works. Projects come in faster, with fewer disputes, and often better outcomes. Bottom Line IPD is about aligning people, process, and technology. In an industry where misalignment costs time and money, that’s no small thing. If your project is complex, high-stakes, or has tight margins—IPD might be worth considering. It’s not just a contract. It’s a mindset shift toward building smarter, together.

Real-time, multi-user collaboration is no longer a future vision—it’s here, and it’s live in #Forma and Autodesk Construction Cloud via the Forma Board. This is a huge leap forward for #AEC teams: a browser-based collaboration environment where architects, consultants, and stakeholders can work together in the same model, at the same time. No screen sharing. No file handoffs. No waiting for feedback loops to catch up with the pace of work. It’s not just about improving productivity—it’s about enabling truly connected design. Getting the right people in the room (or in the model) earlier, so decisions are more informed and outcomes are stronger. Multiplayer mode in Autodesk Forma Board is helping teams accelerate decision-making, stay aligned, and unlock better outcomes earlier in the process. This is what connected design looks like—and it’s only the beginning. 🎥 Take a look at what’s possible. #Forma #AEC #DesignTechnology #Collaboration #DigitalDelivery #Autodesk #Innovation #Architecture #DigitalTransformation

Capturing the Collective Genius of an Integrated Team Good teams don’t come to the table with answers already in mind… Instead, they discover the solutions as they engage with others to solve the problem. When nobody has a preconceived answer, there is an incredible opportunity to work through the complexities of the issue from every possible angle and come up with a solution that otherwise would have never been envisioned on an individual basis. But when we let our rank, or title, or discipline get in the way it prevents us from fully engaging and contributing at the highest level—beyond what our designated labels might otherwise imply.  Such “label liability” diminishes our collective creativity and contribution, and limits what is possible. Integrated, multi-discipline teams are able to embrace their collective genius and address the problem from multiple perspectives rather than through their limited individual single-discipline lenses. When was the last time you had the opportunity to view a problem from an integrated mindset, rather than a segregated services mentality?    Making this mental shift to true integrated teaming is one of the toughest nuts to crack in the AEC Industry, but it also provides the greatest opportunity to optimize solutions beyond the usual expectations. I address this Mindset challenge as part of DBIA’s Collaborative Delivery Leadership Academy.  Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/epyGY9ik #problemsolving #teamwork #leadership #designbuild