Government agencies are faced with rising pressure in today’s construction landscape, with project risks and costs at an all-time high.
The cost of building facilities is increasing. Data from Oxford Economics indicates that 82.5 percent of construction materials experienced a significant cost increase since 2020. It’s expected that continued demand for construction will keep prices of both materials and labor high through 2025.
Accessing the right data during construction helps inform decision-making, while retaining ownership of that data after construction reduces operational costs and enables better decisions that extend the structure’s lifespan.
The good news is that a lot of that necessary information can be obtained while the project is underway. But today, many agencies lack visibility into the construction of their buildings. As a result, many don’t have the data required to operate their facilities for maximum efficiency.
A CDE enables agencies to tap into valuable data and information throughout the construction process, so they can operate more efficiently.
One way to solve this issue is through the use of a common data environment (CDE).
A common data environment is a single system used to capture, manage, and distribute information and documents throughout the project. It also facilitates communication between stakeholders, so everyone is working using the same set of information.
Think of a CDE as a central hub where team members can find all the information they need about a project — including BIM data, plans, contracts, and more.
A CDE enables agencies to tap into valuable data and information throughout the construction process, so they can operate more efficiently. It also enables agencies to consolidate data into a single environment that can be leveraged throughout the project lifecycle.
Now that we’ve covered what a common data environment is, let’s look at the factors to consider when selecting and setting up a CDE. Here are the key attributes of an effective CDE.
Provide Easy Access to Data
Your common data environment should work in the cloud so that all team members can upload and retrieve documents and information from anywhere. This gives your agency the ability to access the data you need whether you’re in the office or at the jobsite.
Plus, your CDE should consolidate the necessary documents and info in one place, so you can access documents submitted by various team members without having to look in different places. This includes access to data from the design phase in construction and operations. For instance, Autodesk Construction Cloud brings all project data, starting in design, into one common data environment. This includes model and asset data that can be used for design reviews, identify constructability issues and quickly begin building operations.
Works with Your Tools and Workflows
No agency should have to wrangle with disparate platforms, which is why a CDE must work with your existing systems and procedures. Your common data environment should be able to connect with tools such as your CMMS, PMIS, or ERP systems and enable seamless workflows.
Having a CDE that’s tightly integrated with your current systems results in better collaboration, ensuring that owners and team members are working from the same data and are on the same page at all times.
Standardized and Scalable
A great CDE helps you standardize workflows so that all your procedures remain consistent across multiple projects. Whether your agency has a small but growing range of projects or you’re already managing several projects, having standardized and scalable systems will enable you to save time and increase productivity.
Prioritizes Data Security
Since your CDE collects, manages, and distributes all project information (most of which consists of confidential documents and data), it must have tight security features. The CDE must comply with the latest standards and protocols. Ideally, it should come with multi-factor verification and enable integration with SSO authentication solutions.
User permissions are also an important consideration. While owners should have the ability to access all project data, the CDE must be able to restrict access so other team members can only view information relevant to them.
