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.