Dealing with contract disputes is a common headache for construction firms. They can hold up project schedules, consume a large number of resources to navigate, and when not handled properly, can stress important relationships between contractors and project owners 

We sat down with Sarah Keyte, Technical Director at HKA, and Cliff Moser, Executive Consultant for Architecture at HKA, to learn about their work in contract disputes, hear some of the horror stories from their experiences, and to share how collaborative delivery methods and new tech are making the contract dispute process much more manageable. 

Here’s what we cover: 

• Overview of contract claims and disputes 
• Tools and techniques for managing disputes 
• How integrated project delivery (IPD) and technology are reducing the frequency and complexity of contract disputes 
• How thorough and accurate records can save your company in a contract dispute 
• Ways AI could make contract disputes easier to resolve  

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

Finance is one of those topics that intersects with every single facet of construction—whether it’s tech adoption, labor and training, research, and supplies. You name it, finance impacts it. That’s why it’s critical for organizations to fully understand what kind of value they are driving through any strategy they adopt. 

We had the privilege of sitting down with Rexine Jones, Chief Financial & Information Officer & Company Secretary at Hansen Yuncken, during Autodesk University to do a deep dive into how she balances people, profitability, and technological advancement. 

 We discuss: 

• A day in the life at Hansen Yuncken 
• Balancing innovation and training with profitability and sustainability 
• Zipping up the communication flow during a project 
• Why giving workers meaningful voice ensures impactful tech adoption 
• An important perspective shift on partnerships 
• How Hansen Yuncken is approaching AI 

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

Estimating, Scheduling, Budget Management, and Document Controls—these are the Four Pillars of Project Controls, each being a key part of the foundation for every successful project. That’s why having the right people and technology to manage Project Controls effectively is so important. 

 We were thrilled to sit down with Emily Rech, Director of Project Controls at Pond Company, during AU2024 to break down what an effective Project Controls system looks like, what new technology is on the horizon, and how it all falls apart without great communication skills. 

 We discuss: 

• The Four Pillars of Project Controls 
• What is needed to develop a robust Project Controls system 
• Why Project Controls relies on effective communication 
• Document management 
• The evolution of 4D construction 

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

In this episode recorded live at AU2024, we are exploring the accessibility and powerful impact of community within construction with three powerhouse community leaders: Steven Bloomer, BIM Lead at GHD, Laurie Yaneff, BIM Technician at Stone Group Architects, and Michaela Alexander, Senior Manager of Global Customer Advocacy & Engagement at Autodesk.  

We discuss: 

• How community empowers people to bring their whole selves into their career space. 
• What is Autodesk’s Big Room community? 
• The opportunities for digital and local community building 
• The tangible career impacts of joining the Big Room and attending Autodesk University 
• The difference between formal and informal mentorship and how both can help propel your career 

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

We sat down with David Purdon, Technical Director at NTI Diatec, live at AU2024 to explore how companies are leveraging automation, data, and AI tools to optimize their business operations while mitigating risk improving consistency. More and more organizations are seeing how these tools are transforming the AEC landscape. 

We discuss: 

• Custom-built tools vs. off-the-shelf solutions 
• How companies are maturing in their approach to AI-based tools 
• The immense value of common data environments 
• How automation and common data environments are reducing risk and improving consistency 
• How to properly leverage AI in automation 

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

The role of mentorship is becoming more important than ever as new technology is taking the AEC industry by storm, while many new workers are starting their construction careers from non-traditional backgrounds outside of the AEC industry. There is so much valuable knowledge that is at risk of being lost if we aren’t intentionally connecting these newer entrants into the industry with seasoned workers and leaders. 

In this episode, we are sitting down with Graham Condit, Director of Emerging Technology at Skanska, to dive into the convergence of emerging technologies, mentorship, and recruitment to explore how those of us currently in the field can empower those that will follow in our footsteps. 

We discuss: 

• What is the ACE Mentorship program 
• How leaders can get involved in mentorship programs 
• How mentees can find strong mentors 
• How adaptive automation is making Construction careers more attractive 
• The bridge between emerging tech and adaptive skills for new workers 

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

One of the most common industries for veterans to transition into when they return to civilian life is construction, and with that comes an opportunity to ensure that transition process can be as smooth as possible.

In this episode recorded live at AU2024, we will be diving into the role of veterans in the construction industry, personal stories of civilian life transition, how we can empower employers and veterans to be more successful as they continue their career journey. What better way to highlight how we can offer support than to sit down with veterans who have successfully transitioned into civilian life and a leader facilitating how we train them: 

• Ron McGuire, the Senior Program Administrator for the International Training Institute 
• Sarah Velez, the Senior Technical Program Manager a& Global Co-Lead of Autodesk Veterans Employees Resource Group 
• Anthony Williams, the OSM Project Coordinator for Dynamic Systems, Inc. 

Throughout the episode, you will hear about: 

• Effective support and training programs available to veterans looking to transition into the construction industry or the trades 
• How to translate military skills into civilian jobs 
• Comparisons between leadership and teamwork in the Armed Forces versus in the workforce 
• Why veterans can be very favorable hires in the construction industry,How employers can make that transition process easier for veterans  

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

Industrialized construction brings several benefits to construction, including cost reduction, improving safety, and building at scale.  In this episode, we sit down with Ben Cochran, VP of Developer Enablement at Autodesk, and Tarika Jain Bhartiya, Co-founder and Head of Business at nCircle Tech, to talk about the global state of industrialized construction and its intersection with the AEC industry. 

Here’s what we cover: 

• Risk factors associated with industrialized construction 
• Improving collaboration between manufacturing and construction 
• How purpose-built data tools are bridging the gaps between design, manufacturing, and construction 
• The biggest challenges and opportunities for companies to embrace 
• The complexities of balancing bespoke requests with manufacturing standardization 
• Augmentation versus Replacement with AI’s growing adoption 

 Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

Join us for this special episode of the Digital Builder Podcast, recorded live at AU 2024, the Design & Make conference!

In this episode, Eric celebrates the different milestones Digital Builder has reached this year, including 100 episodes, over 150 guests, and more than 500,000 streams across all platforms. In addition, he will also give you sneak peek into some of the episodes that have been recorded live during this year's Autodesk University.

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Join us for our milestone 100th episode of the Digital Builder Podcast, recorded live at AU 2024, the Design & Make conference!

We sit down with Esteban Corrales, Senior Technical Sales Manager at Autodesk, and Jenna Pellegrino, Senior Manager of Customer Experience Strategy at Autodesk, to talk about their experiences at Autodesk University so far, what to check out throughout the rest of AU, the conversations and interactions they've been having with customers, and the importance of empathy and trust for building effective partnerships.

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.