How to Determine Which Technologies Are Best

Part 2 of 2 SAN FRANCISCO—In part one of this Q&A, we chatted with Dave Burns , director of field solutions at McCarthy Building Cos. Inc. , who exclusively told us about technologies helping to streamline the industry’s design and building process. He said that the list of viable tech tools is continuing to grow. In part two of the interview, we chat more specifically about some of the hottest tech trends and how to figure out which are right for you. GlobeSt.com: How should owners determine what technologies are best for their development or renovation projects? Dave Burns: A fellow construction technologist once told me that the key to the success of any technology adoption is to ‘implement, and then innovate’. Our business is complex, and most technologies require a period of vetting before companies truly understand how (and where) they fit into their operations. My suggestion to any owner who is trying to determine what technology to use – ask your designers and contractors to talk about their experience using various tools. Most anybody can market trendy tech, but good contractors should be able to tell you what tools will add value based on their experiences and your unique project needs and their proven experience. Also, try to think about how technology can benefit the entire design and construction process, through completion and beyond. Sometimes I see owners or other project stakeholders make decision about technology knowing that it will benefit them, even though it will create huge inefficiencies or unnecessary complexity with others involved in the project. If you want the project to be successful, engage in open and honest conversations with the key players on your project to make sure you’re selecting tools based on the optimal benefits to the team. GlobeSt.com: What is the hottest technology trend in construction right now? Burns: Hands down, virtual reality is the hottest thing in our industry right now—and for good reason. Making changes to a building’s design during construction—or finished—is both expensive and leads to delays. To avoid costly adjustments, my firm pioneers the utilization of virtual reality. We build virtual mockups of a project’s design and utilize Facebook’s Oculus Rift headset, allowing clients to experience completely immersive tours of their buildings, affording the ability to make structural, design and conceivably any changes before construction begins. For example, using virtual reality a doctor can “be in” his/her operating room and help perfect the functionality of the space, and a developer can “drive through” its parking structure to test out the design. While the video-gaming industry brought virtual reality to life, the construction industry is heralded as the first to apply it for business use. I expect it to be the norm in commercial real estate development in the near future. Retailers can map out their stores, manufacturers can adequately place its assembly lines and equipment, and workplaces can really optimize collaborative spaces by experiencing them virtually first. I’m excited to see—and be on the leading edge—of where this goes. Dave Burns is director of field solutions at McCarthy Building Cos. Inc., where he currently leads a technology delivery team focused on the company’s $3+ billion dollar portfolio of work in the San Francisco Bay Area region.