Challenges of technology awareness for large multidisciplinary consultancies

A survey within a large multidisciplinary consultancy was conducted in 2008 examining the role and experience of some 1000 designers, the tools they used to carry out their work and their appreciation of the direction in terms of technology change being taken by the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry. The survey revealed significant divergence from where the innovators such as the International Alliance for Interoperability perceived the industry should be heading, to how the designers and managers executed their work and the processes used for information sharing. Key findings from the survey identified that self perception of capability from users of design tools differed markedly from the level of training they had received. In addition use of industry standards for design processes and awareness of technological trends was very low implying both poor willingness to research emerging trends by the respondents and possibly ineffective communication from technology vendors and thought leaders. The target audience requiring change effort to mitigate issues revealed by the survey is identified in the conclusion.