Summary

In this episode, host Dr. Johnny Fortune speaks with Marcus Farquhar, Assistant Vice President of Digital Delivery at WSP and a leader with experience across the entire building lifecycle—including a key role leading the BIM program for Microsoft's global facilities. Marcus cuts through the hype surrounding new technologies, focusing on delivering genuine business value and the necessity of a pragmatic, use-case-driven approach, summarized by his core question: "Digital twin for what?"

The discussion explores the evolution of Digital Delivery, the challenge of standardizing data across global portfolios, and the crucial distinction between static BIM data and a live, operational digital twin. Marcus identifies organizational change management as the single biggest hurdle to successful technology implementation. He also advises on the necessity of data quality and contractual clarity, and provides practical, scalable advice for small-to-medium AECO firms. The conversation concludes with a forward-looking caution to executive leaders regarding the unique liability risks introduced by AI-generated content in the engineering and design field.

Key Takeaways

• Business Case Drives Terminology: The term used—BIM, VDC, or Digital Twin—should be defined by its specific business use case (e.g., design intent, construction risk capture, or operations value) within the larger framework of Digital Delivery.
• The "Digital Twin for What?" Principle: It is essential to define the specific business problem you are solving (e.g., energy monitoring, water conservation, causal analysis) to ensure a measurable return on investment (ROI).
• Organizational Change is the Primary Hurdle: Successful technology adoption requires effective change management to align daily habits and routines with new digital processes.
• Technology Scales: Affordable technology can provide immediate, high ROI for even small firms by mitigating existing conditions risk.
• Data Quality Assurance is Non-Negotiable: Digital deliverables must be subjected to the same rigorous quality control processes (e.g., check and sign-off) as any other engineering or design deliverable.
• The Rate of Learning is Critical: Given the rapid pace of technological change, firms must prioritize and plan for an increased rate of learning to maintain digital maturity.
• Caution on AI-Generated Content: Future adoption of AI will be complicated by questions of professional liability and the increased time required for engineers to review and stamp machine-generated deliverables.

Significant Quote

"The innovation isn't quite the gadgets and the tech. It’s the contract language and the perception of risk. That's a new thing for this industry… to articulate..."

— Marcus Farquhar

Keywords

Digital Delivery, Business Value, AECO Industry, Change Management, Data Quality, Technology Adoption, BIM vs. Digital Twin, Reality Capture, Executive Leadership, AI Liability, Rate of Learning

This episode was originally published on Oct 16, 2025, and is being re-added as part of our move to a new hosting platform.

In this conversation, Dr. Johnny Fortune interviews Brian Skripac, Director of VDC at the Design Build Institute of America. They discuss the significance of Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) in the design-build delivery method, emphasizing collaboration, the importance of formalizing VDC in contracts, and the evolving role of digital leadership in the AEC industry. Brian shares insights from his extensive experience, including the development of BIM standards and the value of VDC for owners. The discussion also highlights the upcoming VDC Leadership Exchange workshop and the need for continuous learning in the field.

Key Takeaways

• Collaboration is essential in VDC and design-build.VDC should be formalized in contracts to ensure accountability.
• Educating non-VDC professionals is crucial for project success.
• A well-defined BIM project delivery standard enhances usability.
• Owners often have misconceptions about BIM and VDC. Level of Development (LOD) is critical for managing expectations.
• Real-world experience is invaluable for technology applications.
• VDC leaders should integrate technology into project processes.
• Continuous learning is necessary for success in the AEC industry.
• The VDC Leadership Exchange workshop fosters collaboration and education.

"There's no replacing the real-world experience of the job... Once you get out on the job site or in the middle of a project, that's where you see all these things. Then apply your technology to that." (Brian Skripak)

This episode was originally published on Aug 12, 2025, and is being re-added as part of our move to a new hosting platform.