The Role of Data in Construction with Josh Symonds

G'day construction innovators!

In a recent insightful episode of the digital construction podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with data leader Josh Symonds, who brought his wealth of experience from firms like Arup, SMEC and his current ventures to the forefront of our discussion: the critical role of data in the digital transformation of the construction industry.

Our conversation delved deep into the growing importance of data throughout the entire project lifecycle. Josh compellingly argued that data is often the "missing link" between the design phase and the asset management phase. He noted a positive shift in recent years, driven by the demands of asset management and even some gentle ribbing from design teams.

We explored the evolution of data within BIM workflows, moving beyond just geometric representation to include data-rich information like carbon footprint. Automation through tools like Revit families is playing a crucial role in populating these models with valuable data.

For those wrestling with the complexities of data, Josh offered some key principles of effective data management, with a foundational point being having a standard way of structuring your data, even if it's not the perfect, one-size-fits-all solution. He also stressed the importance of metadata tracking to understand the origin and context of data. 

Turning raw data into actionable insights is paramount, and Josh emphasised the need to bring disparate datasets together for effective reporting and decision-making, suggesting tools like PowerBI and dashboards. He shared a compelling example from a light rail project where BIM data on materials directly informed carbon reporting and aided design decisions.

Of course, no discussion about data is complete without addressing information security. Josh wisely advocated for a zero-trust approach to data access. 

When it comes to legal considerations, data ownership post-project is a significant aspect often overlooked, with clients typically owning the data generated. Data residency and understanding where your data is stored, especially with cloud solutions, also carries crucial legal and performance implications.

Looking to the future, Josh is excited about the potential of AI and machine learning to revolutionise data validation, populate missing data, and enhance reporting. The ability to leverage new technologies to extract valuable insights from historical project data is another exciting prospect.

Key Takeaways:

• Data is a critical asset that needs to be managed strategically throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Establishing data standards provides a crucial foundation for effective data management.
• Understanding data ownership and residency has important legal and practical implications.
• AI and digital twins hold immense potential for the future of data in construction.