way throughout the business – making it easier for teams to collaborate, even at short notice. Es- tablishing best practice guidelines will ensure that everyone is using technology in the most produc- tive way possible. In the longer term, construction firms will benefit from considering digital technology in the context of their overall business strategy. This means eval- uating how technology can work as a competitive differentiator by boosting productivity, improving relationships with clients or delivering cutting- edge, innovative infrastructure projects. It will also ensure that the tools needed are in place to deliver resiliency in the face of any future disruption. A roadmap for resilience Extreme circumstances can underline the need for change. Following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the physical infrastructure of the U.S. was strength- ened significantly and prepared for future events. The disruption caused by COVID-19 may possibly accelerate changes that will be positive in the long term for individual businesses and the industry as a whole. Technology can improve productivity and collabo- ration, to enhance performance on every project. By enabling flexible working, technology can also boost employee engagement, as well as reduce firms’ reliance on location. Most importantly, with a strategic approach, digital technology can improve resilience in good times and bad, to help construction businesses be ready for the future whatever it holds.
We engineered an emergency medical site and helped a community heal.
TEAMWORK IS THE BEST MEDICINE.
Mercy Hospital / Joplin, Missouri
DUSTIN DEVAN is vice president of construction industry strategy for Autodesk, where he taps into his many years as a construction technology entrepreneur to deliver unique insights and perspective on the future of the industry. Previously, Dustin was the co-founder and CEO of BuildingConnected, the leading preconstruc- tion platform enabling real estate owners and general contractors to hire qualified contractors for their projects. BuildingConnected was acquired by Autodesk in 2019. Before founding BuildingConnected in 2012, Dustin worked in commercial construction for more than six years as an engineer, scheduler, estimator, and project manager for some of the largest construc- tion companies in the country, including Bechtel, Rudolph and Sletten, and XL Construction.
We’re Olsson, engineers who understand that where there’s a project, there’s a purpose. Meet the team, hear the stories, and learn how Joplin, Missouri, fought its way back from an EF-5 tornado at olsson.com.
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may 2020
csengineermag.com
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