TECHNOLOGY REPORT
Tech trajectory How contractors are innovating with technology BY JACOB STOLLER
20 / OCTOBER 2021
with his opening comments. “Contractors have already begun moving the goalposts on expectations on the business side of the industry and during design and construction,” he said. “To remain on the cutting edge, Canada’s leading contractors are making technology choices today that will dictate how the industry tackles projects throughout the 2020s and beyond.” Picklyk guided the discussion with a series of questions about current initiatives, future plans, measurements of success, and challenges.
WHAT IS WORKING? All panelists agreed that VDC (Virtual Design and Construction) models are here to stay. Accordingly, they are seeking ways to not only improve them, but to leverage the data they’re already collecting to streamline their day-to-day operations. Much of this is about closing the information gaps between VDC systems and the field. “On the VDC side, we’ve had success with integrated collaboration platforms, which has helped us get that model information out to the field, and, for lack of a better word, democratize that data,” says
PHOTO © BY KATESTUDIO / ADOBE STOCK
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n August 24, On-Site hosted a lively webinar discussion on digital transformation in the construction industry. Insights were provided by experts representing three leading Canadian contractors: Libby Rowe, manager of business development and project development for Turner Construction in Vancouver; Hammad Chaudhry, director of virtual design and construction for EllisDon, Western Canada; and Dan Bockstael, vice-president of pre-construction at Winnipeg-based Bockstael. Moderator Doug Picklyk set the tone
