The Fall Paradox: Why Change is the Foundation of Growth in AEC

Have you noticed the leaves lately? There's something profound about watching leaves transform from green to amber, crimson, and gold. It's nature's reminder to our industry that change isn't just inevitable, it's essential for growth and the very mechanism that enables it.

Change is not our enemy, after all the most enduring structures throughout history weren't built by people who resisted change, they were built by innovators who embraced it! The Romans revolutionized concrete, the Gothics pushed boundaries with stone and for us, the digital landscape is our opportunity to excel.

The only constant, as the leaves remind us each year, is change.

BIM: More than Technology, a Recipe for Transformation

When it comes to BIM, many people treat it like a new kitchen appliance - you buy it, plug it in and voila! Unfortunately, BIM isn't just a shiny new gadget or piece of software that will miraculously solve all your problems, it's a transformation you have to undergo (more like renovating your entire kitchen, changing how you prep, cook and serve your meals!). This transformation requires:

• Shifting from working in silos —> integration and collaboration

  Imagine preparing a full-course meal where all the chefs in the kitchen don’t talk to one another, disastrous?! BIM requires all parties (owners, architects, engineers, contractors) to work together and share their information centrally so that everybody is working from the same recipe book!
  
  

• Moving from documents —> living data

  Information becomes alive and evolves throughout the project’s lifecycle, rather than being frozen in time with static snapshots, it develops and becomes richer (just like a sourdough starter!).
  
  

• Switching from fixing problems —> preventing problems

  BIM allows for taste-testing beforehand, it’s a proactive approach instead of reactive. By identifying and resolving issues, optimizing performance and analyzing options in the virtual world, risks can be managed early before they become timely and costly re-runs on site.
  
  

All the above changes are not technical, they are human and require the people in your teams to make them happen.

My way always works: Should we resist change?

Trees don’t argue with nature, the ones that fail to adapt simply don’t survive! Similarly, the market doesn’t wait for us and we have to listen to it or begin to decline.

Our reality for now is that clients are increasingly requiring BIM, younger talent expect to work with strong digital workflows; and project timelines and budgets are compressing, whilst pressure to deliver is increasing. Teams able to successfully navigate this climate aren’t those with the most experience per se, but those who have paired what experience they do have with adaptation.

Resistance to change is usually hiding in ‘harmless’ statements, for example:

“We’ve always done it this way and we’ve never had a problem, it works!”

“We don’t have time for our team to do this, we are not ready yet”

“We can’t afford to do this”

Does it sound familiar? Sadly, this often comes from fear of the unknown. The irony is that the very act of chasing, learning and adapting to change is what prevents us from being obsolete.

How do we lead through change?

If you’ve ever tried to get somebody to eat more healthily in their diet, you’ll know that you can’t just force fruit and veg down them! You need to have a plan, slowly introduce it, explain the story and be patient to see the results. Successful transformation does not come from mandating alone, but requires intentional leadership.

• Start with ‘why’

  Before jumping into software demos and purchases, your team needs to understand the purpose. What problems have you identified? How is BIM going to help? What opportunities will it bring? When people understand the ‘why’, they will become your partners and advocates in the change rather than go against it.
  
  

• Acknowledge the challenge

  Change is not an easy thing, it can feel uncomfortable. High performing team members may feel less competent or workflows might initially be clunky before as they get adjusted. Speak out the challenges with your team and create psychological safety where people can feel comfortable adapting without judgement.
  
  

• Crawl, walk and then run

  For sustainable results, a systematic step-by-step approach needs to be taken to implement the BIM way of working. Invest in ongoing training, gradual skill development and celebrate the small wins before rolling out at a wider scale.
  
  

• Lead by example from the top

  Leaders who acknowledge their own learning curves, are curious and ask questions allow for a honest environment in which the whole team can learn together.
  
  

Is the grass greener on the other side?

Seeing the leaves during fall demonstrates that letting go isn’t loss, it’s preparation for something new.

Teams that start or on their BIM journey don’t just survive the changing market, but they discover new capabilities and start to thrive. They are able to deliver projects they may not have been able to before, they attract talent that want to work in a digital way; and they build projects in a smarter way, as well as build strong relationships through this collaborative approach.

The best part of ‘change’ is that you build a culture of adaptability. Each transformation thereon will become easier and less fearful than the one before and you’ve seasoned your team with resilience!

It’s the time to transform!

As you step and crunch on the colourful leaves this season, ask yourself ‘What transformation is my team innovating or avoiding on? What comfortable, familiar ways of working am I holding onto?’

BIM implementation, like any other change, takes courage and investment of time, resources and energy. It could make us uncomfortable, but we begin again by trusting in a process whose full benefits will be realized in the long term.

The organizations that embrace strategic change today are the ones that will flourish in tomorrow's built environment. The leaves are changing and preparing for new growth, the question is are you?

What season is your team in? Are you preparing for transformation, or are you holding onto leaves that need to fall?

Are you ready to let some old ways fall so new growth can emerge? The choice, like the seasons themselves, is both inevitable and full of possibility.

Let's chat about how we can help your team embrace change, one leaf at a time!