CC Jan-Feb 2022

TECHNOLOGYfocus
Making the most of a CDE
Nassim Saoud, Director EMEA at Trimble Consulting explains why common data environments
help construction teams increase collaboration and reduce risk
Major construction projects come
with major data challenges. Large
infrastructure projects are no
exception - not only is there the sheer
volume of data to gather, but there are also
many different teams each using their own
technology tools, most of which won't
communicate seamlessly. As a result,
manual data sharing is common, taking up
valuable time and resources, and leading
to errors and omissions that trigger design
changes and rework.
A common data environment (CDE),
providing a unified view and single source
of truth about each project, can help
mitigate the challenges of growing
sustainability pressures, tighter budget
constraints, and labour shortages.
Centralised and consolidated project
information can be the catalyst that helps
minimise rework and RFIs, use materials
and equipment more efficiently and reduce
overall project risk.
Using a CDE also enables digital project
delivery, which is used to produce models
for visualisation, collect 3D survey
data, create contract
plansheets,
record as-built data, and develop
digital twins. Having a data-rich, accurate
representation of a project enables project
stakeholders to monitor construction
progress and manage resources more
effectively. Post-construction, digital twins
provide owners with insight into the design
and construction decisions behind the
asset. Sensors continually record
information on utilisation, weather and
more, which is fed back into the digital
twin. With this comprehensive data
collected throughout the lifecycle of the
asset, owners can simplify and optimise
maintenance and operations.
Ideally cloud-based platforms, the most
advanced CDE's are accessible from a
range of devices, including computers,
mobile phones, tablets, and even
machines in the field. Project stakeholders
can access BIM models, GIS data,
contract documents, estimates, work
plans and reports from anywhere, as well
as granular data like installation details and
materials specifications.
A CDE can also play a vital role in
achieving better outcomes with BIM.
Currently, most AEC firms use BIM
primarily for design, leaving much of the
potential value for improving project
delivery unused, with teams still operating
in silos. BIM can help stakeholders share
information across construction
disciplines. They can leverage the model
to capture and retrieve data throughout all
phases of the project, not just design. BIM
becomes a shared source of truth for the
various design professionals, engineers,
contractors, specialists, and owner
stakeholders involved in the project.
With a CDE adding centralised access to
accurate project data, multidisciplinary
teams improve collaboration further, reduce
waste and rework, and can share data with
owners to inform ongoing management
and maintenance projects. A CDE provides
a shared, centralised, and federated view
through a Master Assembly, bringing all
disciplines together, and enabling custom
and tailored data consummation for each
project role, offering the ability to switch
between macro views and very detailed
micro views.
FIVE WAYS TO MAXIMISE THE
VALUE OF A CDE
A CDE is a powerful platform, but it has to
be set up and used consistently to truly
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January/February 2022