Big data and information mobility, predictive analytics, geotechnologies and simultaneous design and construction were key topics at ENR’s, “Imagining Construction’s Future” FutureTech conference in New York City. Executives and professionals from Architecture, Engineering, and Construction firms gathered at the event to share and discuss transformative technologies and their business applications.
Dan Kieny, director of consulting and knowledge at MWH Global, was a speaker on a predictive analytics panel. The panel, “Measuring Future Opportunity & Success Based on Predictive Analytics for a Competitive Edge”, identified meaningful trends inside and outside of the AEC industry, and demonstrated applicability of predictive analytics for design and construction companies. Dan’s talk highlighted MWH thought leadership around this emerging and important topic. To do this, Dan connected stories from other industries to the pragmatic approaches we take that generate a valuable return on investment for MWH clients.
FutureTech provided a forum for technology leaders in our sector to share what success looks like when planning, design, and construction are coherent, intelligent and streamlined. Perspectives emphasized contracting, visualization, data management, talent management, and integrated and aligned delivery teams. In addition to Dan’s panel, other interesting panels included panels on Automated Fabrication, Geodesign and Construction, and Concurrent Design and Construction.
Jay Mezher from Parsons Brinkerhoff and Cory Dippold from Hatch Mott MacDonald gave Geodesign talks with very impressive infrastructure visualizations. Graphic examples of engineering options and extreme event simulations were presented as effective communication and design tools. These firms are using a variety of technology providers, data sources and methodologies to achieve desired visualization results.
Kiewit and B4 Consulting co-presented an excellent session on an end-to-end enterprise resource planning system. Jake Macholtz of Kiewit provided a visual walk through of a suite of tools Kiewit is using, including custom mobile applications, to improve collaboration and productivity on the job. These tools aggregate, access and analyze data for individual construction project efficiency, in addition to supporting an evaluation of Kiewit’s total portfolio of projects.
Attendees responded very well to Dan Kieny’s presentation and panel. Many followed up with Dan to further discuss MWH and our innovative approach to emerging technology trends, data management, and data analytics.
The forum provided great insight into IT trends. It also highlighted where owners and contractors find pragmatic applications for emerging technologies, and illuminated the difficulty many in our sector have in communicating how, with what tools, and why owners and contractors should integrate or adopt these technologies.
