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  • In this episode, we are joined by Matt Lacey from Survey Tech to find out all about Ground Penetrating Radar- what it does, what it is used for, and what support and training are available to get the most out of the equipment.

    00:00 Introduction to Matt and Survey Tech

    03:20 An overview of GPR Technology- what we can do with it and what we use it for

    05:00 Putting GPR into the construction context- from utility mapping to reinforcement surveys

    08:00 Use case- Bank of England refurb project

    10:00 How Augmented Reality can work with GPR

    10:56 The difference between GPR and a cover meter

    13:00 GPR terminology- line scanning, area scanning, data processing, and image creation

    17:40 What surface and ground conditions can GPR be used on

    18:47 Key benefits of using GPR Technology

    20:00 Making sense of the hyperbola generated on GPR readouts.

    23:00 How GPR technology compares with and compliments (but does not replace!) Genny & CAT tool for detecting buried services

    25:40 Using GPR with GNSS (Geolocating Technology) and Machine Control

    27:50 GPR and digital twins.

    30:00 GPR software packages overview and applications. How to get the data readouts into intelligible, useable information.

    37:20 The training and skills required to use a GPR effectively.

    38:20 How to get the most out of the technology.

    40:10 How to get in touch with Matt and Surveytech.

    More info about Survey Tech

    Geomax Survey Equipment Hire & Purchase | Survey Tech (survey-tech.co.uk)Survey Tech YouTube channel-(some fantastic informative videos for you to check out)

    Surveytech - YouTube

    The Ground Penetrating Radar and software Matt refers to on the Podcast is Proceq Screening Eagle. More info at this link

    Proceq GS8000 | Subsurface mapping (screeningeagle.com)

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  • David Shepherd is a true original Digital Construction pioneer and legend. He is also our final podcast guest of 2022!

    Dave has been at the forefront of CAD technology since the mid ’90s and has implemented BIM for the likes of Arup, Mott MacDonald, Kier, BAM and MWH. He has been Senior Technical Consulting Manager at Autodesk and is widely recognised as a leading expert on those software products that have transformed the Construction industry.

    In his time with HOK Architects, Dave authored the original report on how BIM could be used on the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Project in 2013. In 2019, he then picked the baton up again and has since been the Digital Product Manager and BIM lead for the UK Parliament In House Services and Estates implementing and integrating all sorts of digital tools, technology, and innovations so that everyone from master craftspeople & Tier 1s to parliamentarians can collaborate and contribute in a meaningful way to this landmark scheme. To give you a sense of the size of the Houses of Parliament, you could fit 4.5 Wembley-sized pitches into it and there are

    1100 windows 100 staircases 3,400 windows 3 km telephone cable

    Listen in if you want to hear all about the unique and challenging set of circumstances an iconic project like this brings about and what digitalisation in the context of a huge project looks and feels like, what the benefits are/will be and why the diversity and inclusion of SMEs and specialist contractors across the whole of the UK will play a key role in the project delivery phase.

    We also hear about Dave becoming an accredited Microsoft Power App developer and how this has led him to develop a simple set of information management tools that SMEs and asset owners can use to improve productivity, and reduce admin time whilst ensuring the continuity of the Golden Thread of digital information and compliance with the Building Safety Act.

    There are some words of wisdom for SMEs looking to digitalise their business and advice on where and when is the best place to start on the digitalisation journey as we look ahead to 2023.

    Having such a fantastic guest who summed up in one episode everything we have been promoting for the past 3 years was a fitting finale to our 2022 podcast series. Hope you enjoy!

    If you don't have time to listen in full here is a breakdown of what we talked about

    01:20 How Dave became involved with the Houses of Parliament project and his own digital journey so far

    05:00 The scale, purpose and scope of the Palace of Westminster project.

    10:00 The role of digitalisation in the project.

    12:00 The range of digital tools being used on the project

    16:30 SME and Tier 1 engagement with digital tools and the importance of focusing on incremental gains when adopting new digital tools within a business

    24:00 The role that digital tools can play in creating consistent quality outputs

    35:00 The benefits/anticipated benefits arising from the implementation of digital tools on the HoP scheme.

    43:00 How to address  and overcome any business technological limitations and what digital tools and processes you should focus on first.

    47:50 The digitalisation of the "Golden Thread" and the Building Safety Act

    55:00 The culture shift and different approaches that are required in construction to leverage the power of digital tools.

    1:05:00 Dave's aspirations for 2023.

    You can follow Dave on LinkedIn here

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  • Can AI be a major superpower and force for good in Construction Health and Safety?

    Yes

    And does such a solution exist?

    Yes

    Who is one of the leading lights driving this revolution?

    Simon Wright, CEO of Intuety, a tested, proven, and game-changing AI platform that can transform how we think about, plan manage, administer and lead Health and Safety in construction in the 2020s.

    Is the solution affordable and within reach of everyone in the industry

    Yes

    How does it work and why do clients love this solution so much?

    Listen to the podcast and find out!

    If you don't have time to listen to the whole podcast here's a breakdown of the main things we talked about:

    00:00 Intro, Simon's bio, and how the Intuety solution came about

    04:00 What problems Intuety solves, the pain it takes away.

    07:00 Key features of the platform

    10:30 How the platform works in practical terms

    12:00 Why a new predictive analytics feature being added will be significant for platform users.

    14:00 The relationship between skills, experience, and competencies of site teams and the platform

    17:00 What becomes possible for clients who adopt the solution

    19:00 Why the platform does not replace human thinking

    20:00 The affordability of the solution

    21:20 Onboarding- how long it takes to get set up and who gets access

    23:40 What typical challenges organisations face implementing such a technology and how can these challenges be overcome

    28:20 Interoperability of Intuety with other software/data

    30:00 The potential impact of Construction H&S in the industry with widespread adoption and implementation of such a technology.

    32:40 Key considerations for decision-makers considering investing in the technology 

    34:00 How to get in touch with Simon and find out more

    You can e mail Simon directly 

    [email protected]

    You can follow Simon on Linkedin

    Intuety website

    Home - Intuety

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  • Joining us for our latest podcast episode are Chris Matthew, Strategic Manager, and Paul Tuohy, Digital Plant Manager from Flannery Plant. In this podcast, we explore Machine Control and Telematics Technology and why it is a game changer for Flannery and its Clients.

    If you don't have time to listen to the whole podcast then you can always scroll to the sections most relevant to you below:

    00:00 Introduction, background to Flannery Plant and Chris and Paul's role in the business.

    03:50 What we mean by machine control.

    05:30 The key differences between 2D machine control and 3D machine control.

    07:00 How machine control can help service avoidance, where machine control is most commonly used, and how it is generally implemented in construction.

    08:50 What the uptake is for machine control and the current demand for it in the industry.

    10:00 Why adopting and integrating machine control technology has been a  real game changer for Flannery and its clients

    11:30 Clients- what they are looking for, what they know and the challenges faced by Chris and Paul when clients are not fully aware of the technology capabilities.

    13:20 Telematics- what it is and what it does in the context of plant operations.

    15:00 What the connection is between machine control and telematics and the key benefits of integrating, adopting, and implementing both.

    20:20 What useful telematics information can plant produce for clients and how this helps improve plant efficiency on site.

    23:00 The pain that Flannery takes away for their customers and the services Flannery provides to help their clients get the most from the technology.

    29:50 How telematics is transforming the way projects and teams can plan, manage and monitor plant operations on site.

    37:00 The skills and awareness of the technology that clients and their staff need to get the most from Machine Control and Telematics.

    42:29  The barriers and challenges faced when implementing machine control and telematics. How these are being overcome by Flannery.

    47:29 The lessons learned by Flannery on their digital journey and advice for SMEs looking to get started with the technology.

    Flannery Plant Website

    Home | Flannery (flanneryplanthire.com)

    Flannery Plant Twitter

    Flannery Plant Hire (@FlanneryPlant) / Twitter

    Flannery on LinkedIn

    Flannery Plant Hire: Overview | LinkedIn

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  • Liam McEvoy is an inspiration. We were absolutely thrilled to have Liam on the podcast to speak about Environmental Social Governance (ESG) with such enthusiasm and passion, and also to tell us why ESG is so important and how the SustainIQ solution can be used to help construction businesses in more ways than you might think!

    Liam, along with his co-founder Maria Diffley started SustainIQ in 2017 and now the platform is being used on over 1,000 sites helping construction companies meet their ESG (Environmental Social Governance) obligations as well as saving them time & money, improving project outcomes, and reducing risk.

    Here's a summary of what we discussed:

    01:00 Liam's background and motivation for co-creating SustainIQ

    02:46 What do we mean by ESG and what do construction companies need to know about it?

    05:38 The four key pillars of ESG that the platform is built around and how the platform works.

    11:32 Why SustainIQ can be a useful tool for construction SMEs and why it is not just for Tier 1 contractors and large organisations.

    13:00 The type of problems that SustainIQ can help businesses with and why reliable, accurate, transparent data as well as sustainable procurement has a major role to play in successful ESG management.

    16:00 How Heron Brothers used SustainIQ on a £16M Community Centre project in Midlothian, Scotland, and the key benefits that this has brought to their business.

    23:36 What we mean by "Greenwashing"

    25:40 The onboarding process- how the platform is introduced and implemented with new customers and the support available to ensure a successful transition to adopting the technology.

    28:37 What construction SMEs should consider when reflecting on their current ESG performance.

    30:30 How to find out more about Sustain IQ and ESG

    SustainIQ website

    SustainIQ

    Follow SustainIQ on twitter

    SustainIQ (@SustainIQ) / Twitter

    Connect with Liam on LinkedIn

    Liam McEvoy | LinkedIn

    SustainIQ blog page where you will find loads of really useful articles on ESG and related issues

    SustainIQ

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  • In this episode, we speak with Norma Matheson, Financial Director of Matheson Damp Services, a growing small family business specialising in damp and timber treatment.

    In the podcast, you will hear how Norma has implemented and streamlined its business processes using the free version of a platform called Asana and how this has transformed the business operations.

    Here's a summary of the key discussion points if you don't have time to listen to all the podcast:

    00:00 Introduction to Norma, the company and her role within the business.

    01:27 The problem the business was looking to solve.

    04:00 The process involved with selecting the software

    05:20 How the Asana platform is used  and applied within the business.

    08:30 The functionality of the "Free" version of Asana and why the business is considering paying for additional features.

    11:10 System setup and the skills and resources needed.

    12:27 The difference this has made to the business and key benefits realised.

    16:40 Team engagement with the tool, feedback from the field and ease of use on site devices.

    20:00 Next steps on the digital journey for Norma and the team

    21:00 Advice for other businesses looking to streamline their business processes.

    Matheson Damp Proof Services Website:

    Damp Specialists Glasgow | Damp Treatment | Matheson Damp Services

    You can e-mail Norma directly if you would like to find out more:

    [email protected]

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  • What is Project Management software and why would construction SMEs want to use it?  

    On this podcast, we are joined by Daniel Milligan, Co-founder of Frame Solutions to discuss their innovative software solution, ESTA that optimises team collaboration and project management data to produce real-time project analytics.  

    According to Daniel's research, we discard around 90% of construction project information once a contract is completed. So there is a huge area of improvement opportunity to be realised with digital technologies such as the one we discuss in this episode.

    The podcast is about 20 minutes long and here is a summary of the key points of the discussion that you can scroll to if you don't have time to listen to it all.  

    00:00 Introduction and background information about Frame Solutions  

    01:30 The problem that the project management software solves. 

    04:00 Who the solution is aimed at and the key features of the ESTA platform. 

    07:10 The key benefits derived by businesses that adopt the project management solution. 

    10:00 Making the business case for investment 12:00 Onboarding, support and training provided by Frame Solutions to ensure customers get the best out of the software 

    15:40 Interoperability & integration with other software platforms 

    17:30 The key factor a construction business should consider if they are thinking about investing.  

    You can follow Daniel on LinkedIn   https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-milligan-mrics-5239b51b8/ 

    And here's the link to the Frame Solutions Website where you can find out more about the ESTA platform. 

     https://www.frame-solutions.com/

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  • In this podcast, we hear from Jamie Brenton, Managing Director of Brebur Limited. Brebur is a specialist SFS, dry-lining, plastering, and suspended ceiling company based in Yorkshire, that delivers projects throughout the North of England.  

    About 3 years ago Brebur invested in a Cost Management Software Solution called Chalkstring and in this podcast, we hear how this has transformed the business and why having estimating, procurement, variations, payment applications, and value engineering integrated and managed on the same platform has been a real game-changer for them.  

    This is a recording of a webinar and is the first in the series of events we are running this year in collaboration with the Finishes and Interiors Sector. Asking the questions on this episode is Joe Cillia Technical Director of the Finishes and Interiors Sector. We also hear briefly on the podcast from Sarah Crawford and Barry Chapman Director and Managing Director of Chalkstring and we are very grateful to the FIS, Chalkstring, and Jamie Brenton for giving us permission to republish this webinar as an edited podcast.  

     The episode is about 40 minutes long and in case you don't have time to watch it all you can scroll to the relevant sections below  

    00:00 Start 

    00:45 Introduction by Jamie and background to the business. 

    01:20 What Chalkstring is used for in the business. 

    02:00 The motivation for adopting a Cost Management Software Solution 

    03:00 Why Brebur chose Chalkstring specifically and what the key outcomes have been. 

    05:52 The challenges the business faced before and what changed as a result of implementing the software 

    07:50 How Chalkstring has helped simplify the Value Engineering Process 

    09:18 How information management and communication has improved overall in the business as a result of implementing Chalkstring 

    10:40 How the procurement process has been transformed by implementing the software. 

    15:50 How Chalkstring has helped Brebur as a business to manage price increases. 

    17:30 How the solution helps manage pricing and variations. 

    22:00 A summary of the key benefits realised by the business overall as a result of implementing the software. Including recruitment of new staff. 

    24:00 Why business growth was the main catalyst for implementing the software. 

    25:30 An overview of what the biggest changes have been for the business as a result of implementing the software.Why this has led to much happier staff! 

    30:00 The challenges and experiences of implementing the new software within the business. 

    36:00 How operatives on-site use and engage with Chalkstring.  

    Links  

    Brebur Website https://www.breburltd.co.uk 

    Chalkstring Website https://chalkstring.com

    Finishes and Interiors Sector Website https://www.thefis.org

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  • A podcast about the benefits of Time & Attendance and Resource Management Software.

    In our latest podcast, we caught up with Michelle Pretorious Director of EDMA Systems to talk all about their Time & Attendance and Resource Management Software.

    We get asked a lot about time & attendance software so it was great finally to get a deep dive on this subject.

    It's about 54 minutes long as there was a lot to talk about. We have broken it down into sections below for you to scroll to if you do not have the time.

    00:40 An introduction to Michelle, her work and all about EDMA systems
    05:31 What is meant by the terms resource management and time & attendance.
    07:00 Why might a construction company need time & attendance software and what problems it can solve.
    12:15 The key features of the EDMA platform
    19:30 The key modules within the solution that are most useful for a construction company.
    21:40 What is biometrics and how it is used within time & attendance software.
    23:40 What becomes possible for companies who adopt time & attendance/resource management software.
    27:55 What is involved with setting up & the onboarding process.
    35:00 The typical challenges a company might face internally when implementing the solution.
    44:20 The key things a business should consider when investing in time & attendance software
    49:05 The transformation potential that time & attendance and resource management software could have on workforce planning and on the world of work.
    52:00 How to find out more about EDMA systems and get in touch with Michelle.

    You can get in touch with Michelle directly

    [email protected]

    You can follow Michelle on LinkedIn

    Michelle Pretorius | LinkedIn

    EDMA systems website

    Edma Systems UK | | Time, Resource & Job Management Software

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  • In our latest Digital Construction Skills podcast, we speak with a true pioneer in the industry, CDM compliance advocate (and all-around good guy!), Imanuel Steele CEO and Co-founder of PRIN- D Technology.   

    PRIN- D is a platform that allows Clients and Duty Holders to manage their CDM and legal obligations under the new and emerging Building Safety Bill regulations capturing what Dame Judith Hackitt describes in her post-Grenfell Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety as the "Golden Thread of Information".  

    Hear how this digital information stored on the Blockchain (or to give its proper name- Distributed Ledger Technology) gives what Imanuel describes as an "immutable" digital record and why it is a transparent, safe, structured, and secure system that will give Clients the tools and assurance they need to ensure that Health and Safety can be much more effectively managed through the whole lifecycle of a project.   How the emergence of the Draft Building Safety Bill Legislation currently passing through the UK Parliament, means the need to ensure the health and safety competence of construction professionals has never been greater and why now is time for the industry to seize the opportunity that technologies such as distributed ledger technology can provide to begin to rebuild the trust and credibility of the construction industry in parts where it is so desperately needed.   The interview is about 1 hour long but you can just scroll or click on the timestamps below if you are short on time.  

    00:00 CDM, the "Golden Thread" and distributed ledger technology- Imanuel Steele

     00:50 Imanuel brief bio. How PRIN-D came about. CDM regulations and Principal Designer. 

    04:45 Brief overview of UK CDM regulations what they do and why they are important. 

    06:35 Building Safety Bill, CDM regs and the influence of the Hackitt Report on shaping the platform. 

    10:11 New UK Building Safety Bill and duty holders under CDM regulations 

    12:00 Extended client responsibilities under new laws.The need to demonstrate client competence. 

    13:30 Distributed Ledger Technology in simple terms and why it's a great leap forward. 

    17:35 The "Golden Thread" and what it means in the context of the PRIN D platform. 19:15 Real-time digital info accessibility- the keyholders. Possible tool for HSE inspectors. 

    21:20 PRIN- D solution. The key problems it solves.

    23:00 How PRIN-D works- key features and who it is aimed at. 

    25:45 PRIN-D interoperability with CDE platforms such as MS SharePoint and Procore. 

    28:40 Eliminating risk of inaccessible emails and large file attachments using the platform. 

    31:40 Trends, data, and analytics- why simplicity is key and the opportunity to link supply chain. 

    36:38 Key benefits for adopters of solution. Immutable digital records and handover information. 

    40:10 Interoperability and parallels with BIM and CDM regs. The platform's ISO19650 template. 

    46:30 Onboarding, setting up, operating the platform. The opportunities for further collaboration. 

    49:00 Advice for others looking to adopt digital tools and/or emerging technologies. 

    54:00 Imanuel- his wider conversations ongoing to transform industry and his future aspirations. 

     You can follow Imanuel or get in touch directly with Imanuel via LinkedIn at this link  https://www.linkedin.com/in/imanuel-steele-8299a915/

    If you like what you hear, don't forget to like and subscribe to the podcast- you can find us also on Itunes or Spotify

    Feel free to get in touch too! You can email us at [email protected] 

    or visit www.digitalconstructionskills.com

    #safetyculture #rics #hse #cdmregulations

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  • In our latest podcast episode, we discuss Fire Safety, the Golden Thread, the Building Safety Bill, and how a digital fire safety compliance platform can help transform how Clients, Facilities Managers, and Owner/Operators manage buildings in relation to Fire Safety.   

    We also examine what impact this might have for wider society, how building projects of the future may be funded and insured based on fire safety data as well as the empowering impact such a platform can have in terms of fire safety participation to drive better compliance and decision making at all levels of an organisation.  

    John Noone is a Chartered Fire Safety Engineer and has been advising clients on Fire Safety all his career in Ireland, the UK, and the Middle East. In 2017 he co-founded the Joule Group, an independent company of Fire Safety designers, engineers, consultants, and technology solution specialists who strive to ensure all aspects of fire safety are balanced and fully coordinated in design, construction, and operation.  

    00:30 John’s background as a Fire Safety Engineer and the co-founding of the Joule Group.

    2:00 The Dame Judith Hackitt review, the building safety bill and what this might mean for the construction and facilities management sector. 

    5:45 The Golden Thread in relation to Fire Safety through the Project and Asset/Building Lifecycles. 

    09:00 The TFS Fire Safety Compliance Solution- what problems does this digital tool solve?  

    10:50 The key features of the TFS Platform- how it works and how it supports clients and building operators  

    14:30 The key benefits for clients and building operators who adopt this digital solution. 

    18:20 The process of adopting the solution- how long it takes to set up, the training/upskilling required, and the support available to implement the solution. 

    20:00 The wider benefits of the solution and its potential impact on how buildings and building safety is managed, the assurance for building owners and regulators, and what it might mean for how projects are funded and insured in the future. 

    24:00 How the TFS compliance platform can empower organisations for people at all levels to play their part more effectively in Fire Safety compliance and management  

    27:00 How digital information from the Fire Safety Compliance Platform can be a catalyst for significant behavioural and cultural change within the construction industry.  

    28:00 What others can learn from John’s experience and advice for anyone looking to adopt a digital solution into their business.  

    29:00 Joule Group future plans and John’s personal aspirations- how he sees the role of the Fire Safety Engineer evolving and being integral to the construction and design process. 

    More info about the Joule Group here  

    https://joule-group.com/ 

    Joule Group LinkedIn page  https://www.linkedin.com/company/joule-group 

    #Firesafety #Buildingsafetybill #goldenthread #Hackittreview

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  • A must-listen episode if you are an SME looking to grow your business and want to understand what is involved with gaining ISO9001 accreditation and how digital tools can be used to transform quality performance on site.

    In this podcast episode, we talk to Lorna Hagan, Director of Construct Tuition all about the key foundational standards we use in construction to help us get it right on site- ISO9001and 14001. Lorna talks about how she helps construction SMEs through this process and what is involved. Lorna also tells us about how she can support SMEs and site teams to get the quality right on site. We also have an interesting conversation about how digital tools can transform how organisations and site teams can dramatically reduce wastage improve quality, efficiency, and profitability.

    You can connect with Lorna on LinkedIn using the following link https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorna-hagan-7457483a?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAhL8iUBy1_z92LdvCSyz1wI5ALYuD5i-qY&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_search_srp_all%3Bb2ha7mVDQ%2FuWWo5tRMpv0Q%3D%3D

    Lorna's website is https://constructtuition.co.uk/

    In case you can't watch it all you can scroll to the main sections below.

    3:00 What are the IS09001 and 14001 standards and why are they important? 07:00 Document management and digital solutions

    09:40 The first steps a company should take when considering ISO9001 accreditation and why it is an important step for a construction SME to take if they are serious about growing their business.

    14:00 The process of ISO9001 accreditation- how long would you expect this to take?

    17:30 Getting it right on site- the key focus areas.

    20:20 The key benefits of quality training- financial, confidence, and competence of teams and how it adds value to a business.

    25:00 Digital tools, Inspection &Test plans, data analytics, and the Quality Frequency Rate.

    26:30 The potential for SMEs to gain competitive advantage through quality management and implementation of digital tools.

    30:30 The link between digital tools and business improvement.

    33:00 The time saved by organisations using digital tools and why this is beneficial both for the board and site teams.

    35:00 The advantages of employing an external consultant (and getting the right one for your business)

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  • We are joined on this podcast by David Emery from the Supply Chain Sustainability School,  a pioneer and leading expert on BIM, Modern Methods of Construction and digital construction.  This 45-minute interview is full of insights and wisdom from a leading light in the industry and is very worthy of your time and attention. 

    In case you don't have time to watch in full you can scroll to the most relevant section  (see below)

    1:00 What we mean by the Golden Thread of Information relating to Building Information Modelling (BIM) and the vital role that the SME sector and the supply chain must play.

    3:00 How Dave put the Golden Thread and BIM concept into practise with a Tier 1 Client and Contractor on the £300 Million West Midlands Hospital to engage with the SME sector on the project.

    5:30 What mean exactly by BIM and the importance of having standards.

    7:40 Why BIM is not just for large infrastructure projects.

    12:10 What an excellent BIM project looks like and what is required. Where BIM can also go wrong.

    15:40 Demystifying the SME digital information requirements for BIM and why it really isn’t that complicated.

    18:40 Is there a risk (for the SME sector) of giving your IP away by collaborating on a 3D model?

    25:00 The digital tools that the SME sector can use to engage with the BIM process, (and why it is highly unlikely to be a BIM authoring tool that you need!) How the supply chain got the knowledge and skills needed to engage with the West Midlands Hospital Project.

    26:25 The potential benefits and spin-offs for the SME sector by adopting BIM

    28:27 BIM in the housing sector- BIM4Housing

    31:13 Why the housing sector is slow to adopt BIM and what are key drivers that might accelerate a change.

    34:30 How we are not quite there yet with BIM in terms of clients and facilities managers realising the benefits in the operating phase and how “digital twins” might accelerate this.

    38:25 Modern Methods of Construction- what is it and how MMC and BIM have huge potential for solving some of the most challenging issues in construction. Why it is also a huge opportunity for the SME sector.

    42:00 The training, learning and support available from the Supply Chain Sustainability School.

    You can follow Dave Emery on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/virtechs?... 

    And here is a link to the Supply Chain Sustainability School  https://www.supplychainschool.co.uk/

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  • In our latest podcast we interviewed Phil Thompson, Procurement Data Manager for major building services contractor, NG Bailey. We talk about their journey from lean construction to developing a bespoke procurement solution that has transformed their business, how NG Bailey can now manage the “Golden Thread” of information right through the procurement process and what lessons can be learned from this that can be shared with the wider industry.

    The podcast is 43 minutes long so if you want to scroll to the relevant sections here is what we talked about

    1:00 Phil’s background, his involvement with lean construction initiatives, and how this eventually shaped the digital procurement platform solution.

    10:00 Overview of the digital procurement solution-who was involved, what was required and the behavioural and cultural changes that were needed to develop the solution.

    13:25 How the solution was Project Managed- scope, duration, and costs. Why addressing root cause and not the symptoms was key to the project's success.

    16:38 How the solution was rolled out within the wider business. The initial barriers faced with the quality of product information from suppliers.

    20:20 How NG Bailey engaged with over 200 manufacturers in the supply chain what challenges were overcome to get the right information from them.

    21:40 The “Golden Thread” in the context of procurement- what is meant by this and what this looks like through the procurement process

    24:00 Why inconsistency of procurement data is still a major challenge for the industry.

    25:30 What we mean by GS1 standards, why they are important, and how this integrates with the procurement platform. The potential for GS1 standards to transform procurement practices within the wider industry.

    29:30 The key benefits of implementing the Procurement Platform (and some of the frustrations felt along the way!) Why technology does not solve your problems by itself and the fundamental importance of focusing on process and culture as the key to project success.

    33:42 Traceability of procurement data- the wider business benefits of having access to accurate, granular procurement information. How this has a huge positive impact on commercial performance and buying strategy.

    36:54 The evolution of the procurement tool and giving access to the wider supply chain- what benefits this is bringing.

    38:50 Lessons learned from implementing this solution and some advice for others looking to adopt a similar solution or a specific digital tool for their business.

    40:25 The broader conversations going on in the industry that Phil is involved with regarding procurement and Phil’s aspirations for the future of construction

    You can follow Phil on Linkedin here

    NG Bailey Website

    NG Bailey

    If you have a digital tool that is solving a practical problem the industry should hear about then get in touch with me by contacting [email protected]

    This podcast has been created thanks to funding from the CITB. If you would like to find out more about how our free training, support, and learning resource can help your team or business then visit our website www.digitalconstructionskills.com or get in touch with [email protected]

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  • In our latest podcast, we talk with Padraic Geraghty from Skillko to find out what a Digital Training Management Software Solution can do for a construction business.

     We find out how it drives compliance, reduces the cumbersome administrative burden, and significantly saves time and money for a business.  We also talk about the key features of the platform that make up this innovative solution that is already being used by companies such as Roadbridge, PJ Hegarty, and Keltbray among many others. 

     In the interview, we mention briefly that we are running a 1-day CITB funded Getting started with digital construction interactive workshop in collaboration with Skillko on the 19th of October 2021 so if you would like to try it out and see for yourself the solution capabilities as well as finding out more about what other digital tools are available to improve business performance then you can register for the event at the link below:

     https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/167043731297 

    The podcast is about 29 minutes long, so if you don't have time to listen or watch it all, here is a summary of the discussion points you can scroll to. 

     1:00 Brief overview of the Skillko Training Management Platform- what it does and who are some of the contractors already using this solution.  2:30 How the platform help to solve specific problems and why it is a great tool for ensuring Health and Safety compliance, collating pre-construction information as well as significantly reducing the admin time and costs.  

    5:15 The key features of the platform- staff profiles, contractor portal, bulk downloads for tenders, automated training matrix, onboarding, and learning management system.  

    9:22 Onboarding and the flexibility it offers to deliver a more engaging induction and less burdensome induction management process.  

    10:50 A summary of the main benefits that companies realise after adopting the solution. 

    15:00 How the solution can be used by the supply chain and subcontractors.  

    18:00 Help, support, and training available to ensure you get the most out of the solution  

    19:30 The typical barriers a company might face when adopting this solution and why digital champions in an organisation are important.  

    23:30 Interoperability and the ease and speed of exporting data to other platforms or key functions within an organisation.  

    25:50 Advice for digital champions and senior decision-makers looking to invest in the solution. 

     For more info on Skillko visit their website  www.skillko.com  

    You can also find out more about our work and the CITB fully-funded support and strategy support by visiting   www.digitalconstructionskills.com

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  • In part 2 of our interview with Reality Capture expert, Fil Ntagadakis we explore how laser scanning can be utilised in building services, fit-out and interiors sectors.  

    1:00 What a laser scan does and what different types are available.  

    4:00 Cost of laser scanning equipment  

    6:50 The simple process of getting upskilled in using a laser scanner properly.  

    10:50 Processing of laser scanning data- how to do it what it can do for you.  

    13:40 Investment in second-hand laser scanning equipment. Will older scanners become obsolete? 

    15:15 The newly developed training standards and training courses for laser scanning and who is it for (not just for site engineers and surveyors!)

    You can follow Fil on LinkedIn here 

    Filippos Ntagadakis | LinkedIn

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  • Everything you need to know about getting started with reality capture tools. 

     Fil Ntagadakis is a reality capture specialist and director of Scotia Survey and Safety. Fil is highly regarded in the UK Construction Industry for his encyclopedic knowledge of survey equipment and reality capture tools. 

     In this podcast, we focus on reality capture from a viewpoint of someone from the trades, building services or finishes, and interior fit-out perspective and why there is a great opportunity to increase business productivity and efficiency, reduce risk, add value and new skills and capabilities. 

     2:00 What we mean by reality capture- why it is not just for site engineers and surveyors and why it can be useful for the trades, buildings and fit-out sector 

     5:00 Overview of reality capture- from cameras and mobile phones to drones and laser scanning 

     9:11 Practical applications of reality capture for trades, building, and fit-out sector.  

    13:15 What we can do with data captured and how it can be repurposed for other things that could benefit your business. 

     19:00 Drones: how they can be operated on-site. 

     22:20 How to get started with drones- how much do they costs and practical advice on taking the next small step.  

    Part 2 of this interview will focus on laser scanning and the training and support available to get the skills to operate a laser scanner and how to manage drones within a construction context.

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  • Smart, Lean BIM for SMEs

    Getting ahead of the competition and driving greater efficiencies. 

    In our latest Podcast, we caught up with Clive Jordan and Akos Hamar from Plannerly. (www.plannerly.com)    The team at Plannerly are passionate about ‘Smart, Lean BIM’ and their innovative and unique platform can help users manage the BIM process in a clear and transparent way – achieving both greater efficiencies and BIM compliance.  

    In this episode, we focus specifically on the SME sector and how Plannerly might help them:  Get ahead of the competition, Make BIM work for them to drive greater efficiencies, and Avoid what Clive describes as ‘evil’ BIM.  

    Short on time? If you don’t have time to listen to the whole thing, you can scroll to the relevant sections: 

     1:00 What BIM is and how Plannerly can help manage data and information more efficiently. 

     3:10 Smart, Lean BIM and why it’s relevant to SMEs.  

    6:25 BIM Execution Plans using Plannerly templates versus using traditional Word documents.  

    10:00 Plannerly SME use-cases – scenarios and examples of where it’s applied. 

    12:00 How the different modules on the platform can help SME better manage BIM compliance, project scope and contracts.  

    14:30 The factors to consider when making the business case for Plannerly; understanding the workflow and using ISO19650-compliant templates.  

    16:00 Why executive/director-level buy-in and company culture can have an impact on successful implementation.  

    19:30 How Plannerly and the Smart, Lean BIM online community can help you solve problems and challenges and offer ongoing support post-implementation.  

    21:30 What to do next if you like what you hear more.

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  • If we’re to get to grips with the vision set out by construction leaders and governments for the construction industry, we need to make sense of the language commonly used in information management – and urgently, as evidenced by the latest policy paper from the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, Transforming Infrastructure Performance: Roadmap to 2030.

    So, where do we start?

    In this podcast, I spoke with George Harold, CEO and co-founder of Integrated Facilities Solutions (IFS), to get an overview of some of the basic concepts and language used in the process of information management.

     Listen in to find out:  

    What we mean by the Common Data Environment – and what it’s used for.   What the BIM standards do and how they help asset owners and operators better manage their facilities.   How digital twin technology will be used by asset owners and operators in the future – and what this means for the supply chain.   Why understanding terms like ‘interoperability’ and ‘Applied Programme Interface (API)’ is important.  The difference between ‘digitisation’ and ‘digitalisation’ – and why we should never use the terms interchangeably.   How we begin to get rid of the boxes of O&M manuals at the end of a job!

    About Integrated Facilities Solutions  

    IFS is a leading and award-winning company who’ve pioneered digital transformation with their Common Data Environment solution that allows owners and operators to manage their information for the whole asset lifecycle. Their blue-chip client list includes a diverse range of organisations from industry sectors such as transport, financial services, pharmaceuticals, education, sports stadia, health, data centres, commercial and residential.  

    Learn about Building Information Modelling (BIM), interoperability and the Common Data Environment (CDE)… .…sign-up for DCS’s free CITB-Assured eLearning module, Taking digital construction to the next level. 

    This module is for construction professionals who have a good understanding of the full range of digital solutions available and the benefits they can bring and would like to explore in more detail which solutions will be best for their business. It’s ideal for managers and decision-makers (including financial directors) who are ready to create and implement a robust digital strategy to help them achieve their short- and long-term business goals.

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  • As most people know AutoCAD is one of the most used digital tools in UK construction. AutoCAD was primarily designed as a tool for architects and designers- not site engineers.  One of the biggest limitations to AutoCAD from a site engineering perspective is that it is not a Digital Terrain Modelling software. It can’t work with 3D surfaces so it’s not the best tool for site engineers however AutoCAD is often the only tool they have to work with.  This is why Gail McEwan from our sister company, Setting Out For Construction created a two day CITB Assured “AutoCAD for Site Engineers” course which is designed to help site engineers be able to get the most out of this digital tool.  

    We spoke with Gail in this short interview and in it she talks about: 

    • Why she created the course and why there is a need for it

    . • Why you won’t find any of this information on the AutoCAD “how to” videos on you tube 

    • How the course takes you through the very basics such as drawing shapes and lines to more advanced functions such as importing data from Total Stations, GNSS and laser scanning equipment 

    • How you will be able to import different file formats including the one file format that many engineers struggle with and many 

     • How the course teaches you to present the information that looks professional and give your AutoCAD drawings the wow factor to make you stand apart! 

    • How you can use AutoCAD to geo-reference setting out when you have no co-ordinate system information available on site.

    Gail McEwen is lead trainer at Setting Out for Construction and a Civil Engineer with over ten years' experience of the construction phase of civil engineering projects. She is a PhD student at Glasgow Caledonian University with her area of study on the implementation of digital transformation within the construction sector. Her site experience includes a range of hands-on and supervisory site based roles including plant operating, site engineering and project management.

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