Digital Ecosystem in Complex Projects: A Producer Perspective
If humans had a superpower, and they gathered together to decide what it should be, what would it be? In his book Unstoppable Us, Yuval Noah Harari makes his well-known explanation more simple, but describes the superpower of humanity as something not immediately obvious. It is not physical strength or endurance, but the ability to imagine things that do not exist and to tell all kinds of fictional stories. This power has shaped everything from myths and tales to the rules of civilizations and technological innovations throughout thousands of years of human history. While Harari discusses the destructive side of this power, in this article, we will focus on its positive aspects. By doing so, we can examine the ways in which we can build a better future and contribute positively to our development.
Today, the development of digital construction technologies is entirely shaped by imagination. Tools like BIM, digital twins, and artificial intelligence enable us to design structures that do not physically exist yet and allow us to analyze them in detail before bringing them to life in reality. Naturally, the accumulated knowledge, engineering principles, and methods throughout history, along with technology, are now accessible to everyone, helping us manage projects in a more planned and high-quality manner than ever before. As a result, we are now able to produce architecture and engineering works that are more complex, larger in scale, or visually stunning than ever.
In particular, the digitalization of processes in complex projects like airports, healthcare complexes, manufacturing plants, or large-scale residential projects is crucial for their successful execution and use. This can only be achieved if all parties involved in the project contribute to the process.
The integration of project stakeholders—architects, engineering and management consultants, contractors, and suppliers—into the digital processes is of great importance. To fully achieve this, it is necessary for specialized companies to have completed their own digital transformation processes or made significant progress in this area. In fact, in order to participate in large projects, specialized suppliers must meet specific standards and prove they can adapt to the digital processes.
In the graphic I created to summarize BIM or digitalization processes, I have tried to demonstrate how specialized suppliers are involved in processes in complex projects and how the integration of digital tools is achieved. In the visual, you can see that the project process is divided into four main phases. Let’s take a look at how the processes work in each phase.
Phase 1: BIM Management
In the first phase, BIM management is a fundamental component from the very beginning of the project. Integration with design and engineering processes starts here. BIM integration includes digital quality control (QA/QC) and project management during the design phase. In this process, modeling support is provided with software tools, and analyses are made to assess how the design will adapt to real-world conditions. For advanced modeling support, tools such as Revit and Inventor are used, and interdisciplinary coordination is also crucial at this stage. Potential clashes and errors in the design are detected in advance. Additionally, processes like design automation and quality management are handled digitally, improving efficiency and reducing error rates. This phase sets the foundation for the entire process and provides a strong digital infrastructure for the following phases.
Phase 2: Design and Material Approval
In the second phase, the design and material approval process begins. This phase includes approvals for application models and drawings, material compatibility, and physical model approvals. After the designs are completed, these documents are reviewed digitally, and approval processes are expedited. Tools like Autodesk Construction Cloud make these approval processes trackable, allowing all parties to have real-time information on project progress. Additionally, testing and certification processes take place during this phase. Testing the model during the design phase and before application helps identify any production or assembly errors early on.
Phase 3: Procurement
In the third phase, the procurement process begins. Critical operations such as material procurement, production, quality control, and logistics are tracked with digital systems. Design data is integrated into the production phase, and the process progresses simultaneously with production-level models. During this phase, everything is reported digitally, enabling the delivery process, quality control data, and production process to be transparently tracked.
Phase 4: Quality Control and Site Inspection
The final phase focuses on quality control and site inspection. After the production and procurement processes, materials are delivered to the site, and installation begins. This phase requires continuous coordination and reporting through digital processes. The performance of the model is monitored through reporting systems that track progress on the construction site. Additionally, site inspections and quality control are carried out using digital forms and software.
In conclusion, this roadmap provides insight into the digitalization of the entire project process and its more efficient management. The integration of specialized suppliers and all stakeholders into digital processes helps increase coordination at every stage of the project, ensuring transparency, and ultimately contributing to the timely and budget-compliant completion of projects.
Digitalizing the Production Process
The disconnect between design and production has often been a major issue. Today, digitalization is turning this gap into a strong bridge. With software like Autodesk Inventor, ideas and designs are brought to life in the digital realm. Designs are not only visualized; they are also tested with 3D printing and physical models. This process is crucial for verifying that the design works not just in theory, but in reality. These verifications, made before moving to production, save significant time and costs.
Digitalised production processes from design to construction,
For example, Autodesk Inventor helps transfer design data created at the production level to a Revit project with the support of the BIM Content Environment. The content created in Inventor can be simplified and exported in multiple formats, such as Revit Family, IFC2x3 files, or Autodesk Exchange Files.
These steps simplify complex processes, ensuring that all teams involved in the project speak the same language. As a result, the journey from production to the field becomes much smoother.
Managing production data in the digital ecosystem is possible with the integrated operation of many software
In large projects, transparency and coordination are not luxuries; they are necessities. Tools like Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) make all processes from production to assembly trackable. For example, with QR code integration, every stage of materials, from production to delivery, can be easily tracked. This system allows for quick intervention in case of delays or errors and increases trust among project stakeholders. Additionally, coordination between different disciplines using Navisworks helps detect potential clashes early, saving time and costs.
The integration of Autodesk Construction Cloud and Power BI plays a key role in transforming raw data into meaningful stories. These tools allow the analysis of model performance, production schedules, and delivery data, making it possible to manage projects more efficiently. The best part is that this information can be easily shared with stakeholders, making the project not just technically successful but also strategically successful.
Today, the participation of specialized suppliers in digital processes shapes not only the technical success but also the sustainability of projects.
Digitalization is also a sign of a cultural shift. We now live in a world where every step is transparent, every discipline works in harmony, and every decision is data-driven. This culture is propelling not only projects but the entire industry forward.
While we shape the projects of the future with imagination, turning these dreams into reality through digitalization becomes the greatest superpower of modern humans. As projects grow, tools evolve. However, no matter how much technology is used, the ability to imagine and create remains at the heart of this process.
Ahmet Ekrem Celikel is a BIM Manager with a civil engineering background and a master’s in Construction Engineering and Management. He has led BIM execution for large-scale projects in the AECO industry and is a founding member of BIM4Turkey, actively promoting digital transformation and innovation in construction. |
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