With the responsibilities of each construction professional growing daily, kick off your next project with everyone on the same (digital) page. Maximize your team’s efficiency in design and construction through the use of paperless jobsites—a topic of discussion at a recent Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter event.

Attendees gained an inside look into this practice through the eyes of an architect, general contractor, and subcontractor. Some of the lessons learned and trends discussed included:

• It’s not just for millennials. Many seasoned construction professionals are embracing the shift, with teams sharing 100% digital project files and using iPads in the field. During the submittal approval process, we see an average savings of ten days/each submittal approval. During construction, tech-savvy subcontractors gain real-time communication with the jobsite. The result is seamless communication, improving the ability to manage change and meet schedule milestones more efficiently.
• It’s vital to select the necessary processes and supporting tools before starting a project. Bluebeam Studio, PlanGrid and Box are just a few digital tools used to collaborate. The means and methods of consistent file structure are equally as important as the tools themselves.
• “Human interaction still prevails,” said William Santiago with HKS Architects, Inc. By blending human interaction with real-time technology, we’re able to bring the industry forward, together.

Joining William and me on the panel were Kali Bonnell with DPR Construction, and RayC Southern with Baker Concrete. HKS and DPR worked together on the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Christine E. Lynn Women’s Health and Wellness Institute (a paperless jobsite), and Baker worked with DPR on the FIU Academic Health Science Building 4.