Build Digital launched its National Annual Survey 2024 at the recent CWMF BIM Mandate Conference. The aim of the survey is to capture the level of digitalisation in the Irish construction and built environment sector in 2024 to drive future digital transformation effectively.

Build Digital announced the launch of its National Annual Survey 2024 at the CWMF BIM Mandate Conference, and now is your last chance to take part. Build Digital is calling on members of the construction and built environment sectors to participate in the survey and voice their opinion of digital transformation and the necessary requirements for the construction and built environment sectors in Ireland.

Stakeholders from all corners of the industry are invited to participate in the survey. Every opinion matters, and Build Digital wants to hear from you. Closing date: Friday 20 December 2024 (details of the survey can be found at www.builddigitalproject.ie).

Key Findings from 2023  

As Build Digital’s 2024 survey gathers participant’s insights, we have taken the opportunity to look over the 2023 results.

The survey’s aim was to track the progression of the industry’s digital journey and to gauge the commitment to digital transformation throughout the industry.

The submissions and feedback created a comprehensive picture of the rate of digital transformation in the construction and built environment sectors.

Participants in the survey included members of industry (42%) academia (35%) and government (23%). Education and training were highlighted as continual necessities for future digital adoption, with the majority of participants noting that their organisations and workplaces offer training opportunities in digital tools for their employees. This demonstrates the industry-wide commitment to digitalisation.

The level of ongoing digital transformation across the sector was positive, as 85.3% of respondents stated that their organisations had already started their digital transformation journeys. 64.2% of respondents also noted that the leaders in their organisations had personal involvement within these digital transformation journeys.  

2024: Digitalisation in Construction  

2024 has proven to be a transformative year for digitalisation within the Irish Construction sector. In January, a BIM (Building Information Modelling) mandate by the Irish Government came into effect which dictated that BIM requirements would apply to all public works projects over €100m. The requirements of the BIM mandate have resulted in a surge in interest and investment in digitalisation within the construction and built environment sectors.

To support the construction and built environment sectors, Build Digital announced the creation of the Exchange Hub, a digital bank of resources aimed at signposting digitalisation within the industry. Here you will find templates, demonstration videos, interactive dashboards and presentations to assist with digital transformation journey. Build Digital has published their International Best Practice in Digital Construction Adoption Report, Education and Training Inventory for Digital Construction and Irish BIM Mandate Project Assessor tool through the Exchange Hub.

About the CWMF BIM Mandate Conference   

Build Digital recently partnered with the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) to present the BIM Mandate Conference 2024. The one-day event is part of a broader strategy to support public sector clients in adopting the new Building Information Modelling (BIM) mandate, which came into effect at the beginning of 2024 under the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF).

The conference, which took place in the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa in Cork, marked the third annual conference for the Build Digital Project. Approximately 150 construction professionals and industry leaders gathered to network, hear from expert speakers and participate in workshops all designed to enhance understanding of the Irish BIM mandate. 

In her opening speech, Director of Build Digital, Dr Clare Eriksson said: “Build Digital is essentially a transformation project designed to signpost the answers to the ‘why?’ and the ‘how?’ of driving integrated inter-operable digital transformation and adoption across the industry. We aim to innovatively improve efficiency, improve productivity and improve international competitiveness on a sustainable basis in Ireland.”

Attendees at the conference benefited from panel discussions, Q&A sessions and individual presentations throughout the morning of the conference.

Chaired by Shane Dempsey, Secretary General of the ACEI, speakers included Dr Clare Eriksson, Director Build Digital, Brian O’Loughlin, NSAI, Joe Mady, DCT Group, Robert Moore, Build Digital Project Lead, Alen O’Farrell, Department of Education, Daniel Crowley, Cork City Council, Dean Murphy, Clúid Housing, Joanne Treacy, CIF, PJ Rudden, Dept of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform and Charles Mitchell OGP.   

The sessions explored the digitalisation journey, CWMF and BIM requirements. Build Digital Project Lead Robert Moore presented the two plans currently available on the Exchange Hub, the organisation and appointed party information management plans; they include templates for clients to prepare tenders compliant with the BIM mandate. Alen O’Farrell, from the Department of Education, followed Robert by presenting his experience of implementing BIM within the department and using the appointed party information management plan in current projects. Robert Moore also presented the new plan that will be released in the Exchange Hub before Christmas, the delivery team information management plan, which includes templates for tenderers to create a tender response that is compliant with the Irish BIM mandate. 

Panel discussions were conducted surrounding NSAI initiatives and the opportunities and challenges of implementing the BIM mandate for different cohorts of public clients.    

Build Digital’s outputs were outlined by Jimmy Fahy, ATU, Dr Ken Thomas, SETU, Ted McKenna, MTU and Dr Joe Harrington, MTU. A regional specific panel discussion chaired by Joanne Treacy, CIF, Cork, followed this. This panel discussion addressed the opportunities and challenges of implementing the BIM mandate for different cohorts of public clients, including national infrastructure, local infrastructure, and housing. The panel consisted of representatives from each cohort including Alen O’Farrell, Department of Education, Daniel Crowley, Cork City Council, and Dean Murphy, Clúid Housing.   

In the afternoon session of the conference, attendees took part in industry-specific workshops led by Mary Ryan, Build Digital Operations Lead. Key topics discussed included the impact of the BIM mandate on local councils, the demand for upskilling within teams and the importance of the mandate.

The conference proved to be an excellent opportunity for industry networking amongst attendees and speakers.

Build Digital  

Build Digital is a government-funded initiative dedicated to supporting the progression of digital adoption in the construction and built environment sector in Ireland. Build Digital is dedicated to supporting organisations in their digital transformation journey and signposting the construction and built environment sectors in driving digital adoption.

Pictured above: Robert Moore, Build Digital Project Lead, Dr Clare Eriksson, Build Digital Director and Mary Ryan, Build Digital Operations Lead.