Navigating the Gray Zone: Uniting Design Technology and ‘IT’, to foster collaboration.
In my years of practice within the architecture and design industry, I've encountered firsthand the pivotal importance of fostering collaboration between Design Technology (DT) or Building Information Modeling (BIM) managers and IT managers. This intersection, which I often referred to as the "Gray Zone," is where I've found that the expertise of both parties converges to drive innovation and streamline processes.
In my experience, I've come to believe that our AEC industry is poised for significant innovation and transformation in the next five years. To navigate this period successfully, I've found that active participation from both DT/BIM and IT managers in the Gray Zone is crucial.
Identifying and addressing these gray areas, in my experience, has been key to unlocking the full potential of collaboration. I've utilized regular hands-on meetings as a resource to foster collaboration, creating a platform for open communication and enabling the exchange of insights and alignment of priorities between the IT and DT/BIM teams.
During these collaborative sessions, I've observed that the IT team offers valuable insights into the IT environment, deployment schedules, licensing, and user-related issues, while the DT/BIM team provides insights into project pipelines, technical requirements, and deployment requests. By dedicating time to understanding each other's perspectives and needs, we've been able to bridge the gap in understanding and foster a culture of collaboration.
The outcomes of this collaboration have been manifold. Enhanced coordination has led to well-coordinated deployment updates, scheduled technology installations, and smoother workflows. Additionally, when user tickets cannot be resolved promptly, I've found that the collaborative effort enables swift resolution, minimizing disruptions to project timelines.
Furthermore, leveraging each other's expertise has positioned us at the forefront of architectural innovation. Drawing from my experience, I firmly believe that our collaborative approach will be instrumental in driving positive and on-time outcomes as we anticipate the industry's evolution over the next years.
In conclusion, based on my experience, the collaboration between DT/BIM and IT managers is essential for navigating the Gray Zone and driving architectural excellence. By leveraging experience and utilizing resources to foster collaboration, we position ourselves for success in an era of unprecedented innovation and transformation.
