In construction, where the fruits of your labour are set in stone, project stakeholders must be on the same page when it comes to planning. Working in a common data environment (CDE) creates a single, centralised platform where all project information is stored and shared.
This is essential in the construction industry for five key reasons:
Having a CDE allows access to all project documentation, models, drawings and other relevant data for all parties involved. CDEs track different versions of files and allow for reviews, comments and changes to plans to be made in real-time in a way that hard copies can’t. This facilitates efficient communication and collaboration, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and errors.
According to Luis Calderon, BIM Product Owner with global marine contractor Van Oord: “The most important thing we found while using the Autodesk common data environment is, since it's a cloud-based solution, we're able to collaborate with our stakeholders and suppliers all around the world, which is no easy feat.
“It provides us with the capability to have information in one location that everybody can benefit from. Being able to have traceability to all the documents that come in and out has made it possible to manage all that information much more effectively.”
A CDE offers a single source of truth for everyone involved in a project, from designers and engineers to contractors and owners. This gives each party more oversight on plans and changes, eliminating confusion and ensuring consistency. Project progress can be tracked and potential problems can be identified and addressed early, preventing costly delays and rework.
According to Clare Montgomery, a Subject Matter Expert on CAD at SSEN Transmission: “We work primarily in Autodesk Construction Cloud. All our sketches, our 2D and 3D models, and all the data we receive from engineers are stored in a project space in the Construction Cloud.
“In early design development, there can be a lot of changes and some jumping back and forth on decisions. Autodesk Construction Cloud provides different versions within the cloud. If we need to, we can jump back to previous versions, which is something we weren't able to do before.”
Automated processes save time and paperwork. They allow for informed decision making that means fewer errors and faster project completion. “The world today requires us to move fast, people want real-time data,” according to Ann Blanchard, a Senior Construction Manager for Arcadis Global.
“They want it quickly and they want it to be accurate. They're making big decisions all the way that may impact the safety of someone in the field. That and the recommendations we make to an owner may have the impact of millions of dollars.”
By minimising the risk of errors or reworks, projects can expect significant cost savings. This enables better resource allocation and use. Working with data-driven insights can help identify cost-saving opportunities and optimise budgets.
Better coordination between project stakeholders can lead to higher-quality work from start to finish. Having a single source of truth from a common data environment is critical. It’s equally important to ensure a smooth transition into using a new product or service to maintain workflow and quality. “We decided to partner with Autodesk because the tools they produce are the best tools for us” according to Michael Milligan, Engineering Manager with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks.
“They’ve always used AutoCAD, so it was a natural transition to start looking at newer tools such as Revit, Civil 3D and collaborating in the cloud."
For anyone looking to work in a common data environment, Autodesk offers a suite of tools available for a range of fields: Architecture, Engineering and Construction, product design and manufacturing and media and entertainment. This can help you streamline your workflow, improve collaboration, and make data-driven decisions.
