What is the generation leading the BIM change?

The millennials are the ones in charge because of its ability with new technologies and ways of communication

Published: 14/08/2017

Country: Spain

A tough statement by Paul Newby, executive engineering services director at SES Engineering Services: the digital revolution that the AEC sector needs is at least one generation away. Is that bad news? Not necessarily. Therefore, we're facing a complicated situation. On one hand, the generation that can change the current situation have the attitude and skills needed but not the experience and leadership. On the other hand, those who have leadership and experience are very skeptical and very reluctant to the change. And don't forget the neutral zone, a huge number of people that rest watching in which direction will the situation turn to.

Meanwhile, the BIM revolution keeps going further and even with the flip-flop decisions of the government's about its upcoming implantation, a new profile has risen: BIM Warrior, a professional that has to deal with the lack of information and tools and the small demand from the customers. You can read why clients are not asking for BIM yet in this interesting article.

Is this BIM Warrior real? For the benefit of the industry yes. We're talking about a person that has given the baton to jump into a digitalized era, despite its short experience and knowledge in a concrete topic. They are patient, motivated and self-confident to lead the change: they're the millennials. In them, rest the whole future of the industry, especially because of their mastery of social, media and new communication channels such Instagram or Snapchat, can blow fresh air into the system.

Working in a collaborative way, social justice, and a creative environment will be the key point of this generation, making a huge difference in the medium-long term for the digitalization of the industry. However, we can't forget about the need for the designers to communicate in the most efficient way, and that can't be thought without years of experience working on real projects and people.

There's not enough just being a software master, but also analytical and critical thinking are needed and can only be learned over the years. Not investing in training and formation, has affected the industry to the current point, in where we have been overwhelmed by the fast speed of the events. We need to understand to gain experience takes time, but we see a tiny light at the end of the tunnel. If we start training now to improve the workforce to a more experienced one, with a special focus on a collaborative environment, we will be able to create a product ready to give the customers whenever they want.

That will take time, but we can't forget the idea of we could be facing a generational problem as this graphic from Paul Newby proves. We still have a lot of work ahead to unlock the benefits of BIM, to release the efficiency gains, cost reductions and time savings.