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    Where is your AEC firm in its tech journey?

    To get the most out of modern tech, you need to know where you stand. Here’s a guide to help you evaluate your firm.

    Published on December 16, 2024
    by Lucas Hayden

    7 minute read

    Unanet recently released its 2024 AEC Inspire Report. In this blog series, we’ll explore the topics and themes it covers and how your AEC firm can use this information to gain a competitive advantage.

    The smartest architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms use technology to give themselves an edge. It helps make work easier while allowing them to deliver better business outcomes. But not every firm is as far along as they’d like to be when it comes to incorporating and benefitting from the use of technology.  

    AEC firms fall into one of three categories when it comes to implementing and using technology: tech-emergent, tech-progressing, and tech-advanced. Let’s take a closer look at all three stages to help you figure out where your firm stands – and what you’ll need to do to move to the next stage.  

    Tech-emergent 

    Many AEC firms are at the start of their tech journey and they’re labeled as tech-emergent. Features of tech-emergent firms include:    

    • Data limited
    • AI curious
    • Traditional infrastructure
    • Basic or manual tech tools
    • Siloed systems 

    If you find yourself at this stage, here’s what you can do:  

    Seek quick tech wins 

    Identify where immediate upgrades could provide the most benefit. Consider cost, speed, and impact. 

    Timeline your transformation 

    Set a date by which you want to upgrade basic Excel or freemium tools. 

    Upskill your talent 

    Invest in training and education for your team. Get people proficient in data and comfortable with new technology. 

    Unify 

    Begin integrating software systems to reduce silos and improve data visibility. 

    Explore AI use 

    Look into entry-level AI tools for data analysis, automation, report writing and other easy-win areas. 

    Tech-progressing 

    AEC firms that have already started their tech journey but aren’t yet advanced fall in the category of “tech-progressing.” Features of tech-progressing firms include:  

    • Data proficient 
    • AI adopted 
    • Hybrid infrastructure 
    • Enhanced tech stack 
    • Partially or mostly integrated 

    You’ve moved beyond that critical beginner stage, but you’ve still got a ways to go. Here’s how you can move even further:  

    Invest and explore 

    Invest in advanced tools with sophisticated data visualization and predictive analytics. Provide opportunities for employees to learn and explore. 

    Ramp up AI use 

    Expand (or establish) AI pilot projects. Diversify AI use cases. Develop and circulate organizational AI usage policies. 

    Get serious about data 

    Revise data governance policies and procedures, prioritizing data quality and security and compliance. 

    Integrate, integrate, integrate 

    Explore integrating existing platforms using pre-built or custom APIs to further enhance your tech and data. If your tools don’t integrate, find ones that will. 

    Tech-advanced 

    Finally, the most tech-savvy and sophisticated firms are referred to as “tech-advanced.” The features of tech-advanced AEC firms include:  

    • Data optimized
    • AI-mature
    • Cloud dominant infrastructure
    • Comprehensive tech stack
    • Fully integrated system 

    While being tech-advanced may seem like the end of the journey, there are still steps you can take to solidify your firm’s position, including:  

    Innovate at the edge 

    Consider setting up an innovation lab or R&D initiative dedicated to investigating emerging technologies. 

    Establish in-house expertise 

    Ensure your board, your executive team, and senior leadership include people with deep tech expertise. 

    Think AI for everything, everywhere 

    AI isn’t just for business strategy. Consider its widespread potential: AI can enhance activities like knowledge-sharing, surveying and modeling. As a bonus: your evolving offerings can help set you apart in the market. 

    Pioneer the future 

    Set the stage for the next generation of firm leaders to continue to enhance design and delivery with tech. Your clients and communities will thank you. 

    The key takeaway is this: always look to push your firm forward with regard to embracing technology that can empower your team members. It’s what helps your firm work smarter and more effectively. That journey starts with creating an honest assessment of where you are in your tech journey.  

    In our next post, we’ll take a closer look at how you can use tech to empower your people. Until then, download the entire 2024 AEC Inspire Report  here.     

    Looking to make business easy while freeing up more time to do the work that matters? Learn how Unanet can help.  Schedule a demo today.