Streamline Your Project Data for Better Timelines and Results – Ep 057

In this episode, I speak with Carl Veillette, chief product officer at Newforma, about addressing the AEC industry’s challenge of managing the overwhelming flow of project data and its effects on budgets, timelines, and collaboration. We also discuss actionable strategies to ensure information remains secure, accessible, and organized for smoother project outcomes. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Carl: How has the volume of project data evolved in the AEC industry? What are the main challenges that AEC firms face in managing and organizing all their project information? How does poor information management impact projects and organizations? How are AEC firms using tools like BIM, cloud computing, and AI to improve project delivery? What other security concerns exist around AEC information management and protecting data? Does Newforma’s software help firms stay compliant with agency requirements? How do AEC firms handle knowledge transfer and manage the loss of expertise when team members leave? What strategies would you recommend for firms to create an effective data strategy aligned with their business goals? What final piece of advice would you give to AEC professionals who want to excel in project information management? Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Streamline Your Project Data for Better Timelines and Results: The volume of project data in the AEC industry grows significantly, especially with BIM technology simplifying document creation while adding complexity to data management. This growth makes it crucial for firms to adopt strategies for organizing and accessing information efficiently. AEC firms face challenges in managing and organizing data spread across various platforms and partner systems, making consolidation difficult. Establishing a unified project record across these systems proves essential to streamline project management and reduce risks associated with dispersed information. Poor information management hinders a firm’s ability to effectively use AI, predict outcomes, and access critical data during litigation, posing significant risks. Without organized, searchable archives, firms risk losing knowledge and increased project vulnerabilities. AEC firms leverage BIM as a core information source beyond 3D visuals, capturing project and unstructured data, while cloud computing and AI facilitate data accessibility and analysis. These tools together enhance project delivery by allowing firms to reduce risks, manage data volume, and streamline communication. Increasing security regulations across countries requires AEC firms to ensure data compliance and protection, especially for government or DoD projects. By utilizing on-premises, cloud, and regional cloud options, firms securely store data while addressing diverse regulatory requirements. Newforma’s software supports compliance through various deployment options — on-premises, cloud, and regionalized cloud hosting — designed to meet regulatory needs across different jurisdictions. This approach allows firms to manage data effectively while ensuring compliance with security and industry standards. AEC firms utilize searchable project archives to retain valuable knowledge and make it accessible to new team members. This approach preserves expertise and ensures project continuity, even as experienced staff leave the organization. Firms should begin by mapping project delivery processes and identifying the tools and partners involved to ensure a comprehensive project record. Implementing a strong data governance strategy, supported by staff education and clear communication guidelines,