Sam Gregson, Building Structures Digital Lead at Mott MacDonald, looks at some changes we can expect to see in the near future when it comes to designing and planning construction projects.
The digital transformation of engineering and construction is steadily reshaping the industry. The adoption of building information modelling (BIM) and cloud-based project management software has enhanced collaboration, efficiency and accuracy. Meanwhile, the integration of robotics, drones and 3D printing represents emerging technologies with the potential to streamline construction processes, reduce costs and improve safety. But what about those designing, planning and costing today’s buildings and cities? Here, improvements to current methods are expected to boost productivity and enhance workflows. Looking ahead, there is optimism for accelerated adoption of new technologies in the coming years, driven by advancements in software integrations and the potential of large language models (LLMs) to create innovative tools and processes.
Challenges with legacy office-based tools
Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) has been heavily used in engineering and consultancy, especially for automating tasks in Excel. However, Microsoft has begun phasing out support for VBA, and with security issues increasingly a concern, the construction industry naturally has its eyes open for potential alternatives. Engineers are particularly looking to those Excel alternatives that are better suited to engineering calculations. These tools aim to be more accurate and easier to manage in terms of version control and the handling of complex engineering workflows. Newer platforms may integrate features like application programming interface (API) access for external automation and integration with other software.
The shift to more versatile technologies
There is increasing interest in adopting more widely applicable programming languages such as Python, JavaScript and TypeScript. Python, in particular, is gaining traction within engineering fields, with courses being developed specifically for engineers to learn the language.
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These languages also offer broader applications outside of engineering alone, making them more versatile and potentially more valuable to the built environment. Their appeal to new talent that will be familiar with the methods of coding that these languages make possible, means potential to attract and more seamlessly transition those who might want to use their expertise within the built environment.
Incorporation of software engineering practices
There is a push to integrate modern software engineering practices (such as Git version control, pull requests and code reviews) into engineering workflows. This looks set to lead to more structured and reliable development of engineering models and calculations. Inspiration is being drawn from broader development tools and practices, with a vision for more systematic, transparent and collaborative processes in engineering projects.
Interoperability
Speckle, a collaborative data hub that connects with architecture engineering and construction (AEC) tools, has come to maturity in the last few years. Speckle offers better ways to manage digital assets, incorporating version control and vastly improved interoperability capabilities. The giant that is Autodesk is also heavily invested in this goal, delivering their Autodesk Data Exchange. This is an exciting space to follow and is set to change how we manage data and collaborate.
A continuing move away from legacy tech
The broader continuing move away from outdated technologies in favour of more modern, flexible and scalable solutions is a necessary disruption which will continue to improve efficiency, collaboration and innovation across the industry. This move represents an opportunity for engineers and consultancies to rethink how they approach calculations and automation. While the industry has certainly lagged behind others that have been quicker to embrace digital transformation, the full benefits afforded by digital technology as it becomes more tailored for specific purposes, is something that is now being fully realised.
