Ep. 03 - Sr. VDC Manager - The Future of BIM: Success Stories and Challenges in 2024 with Jack Desloge

The conversation focuses on the good, bad, and ugly of building digitally in 2024. The guest, Jack Desloge, shares his background and how he ended up at VIATechnik. They discuss the industry's level of leveraging BIM and the challenges faced by regional contractors. They also explore the importance of integrating BIM into the project team and the need for domain expertise in implementing the process. The conversation touches on the role of VDC managers and the potential paradigm shift in the industry. They discuss the benefits of cultivating strong VDC managers and the impact they can have on multiple projects. They also talk about the culture shift needed in the industry to attract and retain talent. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the day-to-day activities of a VDC manager on a project. The conversation explores the benefits and challenges of early involvement in construction projects and the potential of integrated project delivery (IPD) and progressive design build. The importance of collaboration, coordination, and education in VDC efforts is emphasized. The measurement of ROI in VDC is discussed, with a focus on schedule improvements and reducing rework. The future of the industry is envisioned to include standardized delivery of information models and increased demand for digital twins by owners.

Takeaways

• The industry still has a long way to go in leveraging BIM and integrating it into project delivery.
• The challenges faced by regional contractors in adopting BIM include fee constraints and the need for owner demand.
• The role of VDC managers is crucial in bridging the gap between the technical aspects of BIM and the project team's execution.
• There is a need for a paradigm shift in the industry to view BIM as an integrated and essential part of project delivery.
• Cultivating strong VDC managers can have a significant impact on multiple projects and improve project outcomes.
• The industry needs to undergo a culture shift to attract and retain talent, making it a more desirable place to work.
• The day-to-day activities of a VDC manager include constructability review, content creation, coordination with trade partners, and architectural wall coordination. Early involvement in construction projects can help prevent conflicts and improve coordination between disciplines.
• Integrated project delivery (IPD) and progressive design build can encourage collaboration and shared risk and reward.
• Continuing education and communication are crucial in VDC efforts.
• Measuring the ROI of VDC can be challenging, but schedule improvements and reducing rework are key indicators.
• The future of the industry may include standardized delivery of information models and increased demand for digital twins.