Authored by: Dana Pezzuti, BE Structural
As technology rapidly improves in the architectural/engineering/construction (AEC) industry, so should the quality of construction drawings? Right?
Maybe theoretically, but as those of us in the AEC Industry are discovering, it is not always the case.
In fact, we are seeing just the opposite. After hearing about this trend, I decided to explore the topic further, talk with colleagues and do some research.
Below are my key takeaways and potential reasons for the decline in quality.
1. As Building Information Technology (BIM) becomes more advanced, there is more reliance on software to solve problems.
Young professionals entering the architectural engineering field are not getting the opportunity to think about real world obstacles like they did in the past. Technology is getting better and simultaneously the need for critical thinking is becoming less.
We are building even more complex 3D models and integrating many disciplines through BIM technology. As complexity increases, it has become much easier for common sense problems and real world feasibility issues to be overlooked. Hand calculations have become outdated and running a quick calculation to make reasonable assumptions-a lost art.
2. Cross Disciplinary Design Teams are getting bigger, while project turnaround time is getting shorter.
More and more cross disciplinary professionals are being asked to collaborate and incorporate their piece of the pie into one computer model. Another great feature of BIM but, at the same time, expectations for turn around are becoming shorter.
Clients expect drawings to be completed in a much faster time frame than in the past. Better, cheaper, faster always compromises quality but throw in a few more “cooks in the kitchen” and we open up a bigger window for errors, omissions and onsite delivery problems.
3. The Changing Workplace Landscape-Remote vs Hybrid vs Onsite
Remote, Hybrid, Onsite-These are three words that didn’t mean much to most of us before 2020. Covid has significantly changed the global workplace landscape. Remote working is normal now and onsite meeting are becoming less frequent. Young AEC professional aren’t getting the same amount of face to face interaction as their predecessors.
In addition, drawings are not only being developed but transmitted electronically now. This lessens peer review time and onsite meetings to talk about the project and drawings. Junior professionals are not getting the same level of onsite mentorship as they did in the past and are being given more leeway to complete their segment of the project independently and without face to face collaboration.
So how do we do better?
Get Back to Basics
I asked a few of my senior colleagues and they believe the answer is getting back to basics. It starts with education and while engineering software courses are great, so is practical knowledge at the most basic level. The course description could even read-“Take a step back in time to learn how engineering of the past worked before computers”.
Outsourcing Peer Review
While companies are expecting more of AEC professionals, they are giving them less. Less time to complete vital tasks, less money to hire senior level individuals and less time for quality control. There is something to be said for a fresh set of eyes evaluating a large, complex project.
A potential solution could be to outsource peer review of construction documents. Companies avoid taking on large annual salaries but still gain value from a senior level peer review.
As we propel forward into 2025 and beyond, I’m excited to see if AEC professionals can improve the quality of our deliverables while still taking advantage of the amazing technological advancements our industry continues to deliver.