It’s not a secret that government architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) projects oftentimes exceed budgets and take more time to complete than originally anticipated. As a matter of fact, according to the Washington Post, the Silver Line extension for the Washington, D.C. Metro was four years late in completion and $250 million over budget.
“I don’t know that they properly planned for the magnitude of this project,” said Jeffrey C. McKay, chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Construction-related problems and resulting disputes with some of the authority’s, “gazillion subcontractors…just seemed to me to drag on and on and on for too long,” he added.
This project setback is not an isolated incident, this is a common occurrence in the AEC industry, especially government megaprojects. But why do these setbacks occur?
From hardware and software performance to lack of staff and more, there are so many factors that can slow government AEC project and task completion. ATG recently published an article highlighting some of these challenges that governments and AEC professionals are facing today. Here are four things slowing the AEC industry courtesy of ATG:
1. Outdated, unreliable hardware
Hardware is advancing fast in both power and price, so it’s not always easy and cost-effective to keep up with the latest and greatest technology. Many users tend to go with the cheapest option, which often turns out to be slow, unreliable, and short-lived.
If you’re in the market for a new computer, you need to ensure you assess all your options and make an informed decision based on your workflow needs. Solutions like BIMBOX have many options depending on what type of work you do. From full desktops to slim laptops, there’s a computer that can meet everyone’s workflow needs.
2. Repetitive tasks
Repetitive tasks such as labeling sheets and drawings in Civil 3D or swapping types in Revit take up valuable time that you could be spending completing your project. Many users spend hours, even days working to complete these crucial tasks.
What if there was a way to make out-of-the-box Revit and Civil 3D work for you? With a little extra help from software plugins like CTC tools, you can automate routine tasks, create plans in just a few clicks, clean up your projects, and more. Plus, you can test any of the tools out for free before making a commitment.
3. Lack of staff
“The Great Resignation” and “Quiet Quitting” have taken the industry by storm. This has caused many firms to struggle to find or keep talent, which in turn causes loss of work and billable hours, inefficient workflows, and stagnant business growth. Government agencies and AEC firms need to identify how to overcome these roadblocks.
4. Poor project management
Poorly managed projects and deadlines are a high-risk move that can lead to a demotivated team, lack of teamwork, cost overruns, rework, and more. And once that project starts to go downhill, it’s hard to get it back on track.
