Understanding data in AEC

Jun 08, 2025

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Proper planning, organization, and understanding of data can mean the difference between a project’s success and failure.

In today’s AEC landscape, the importance of data cannot be overstated. As digital technology and building information modeling continue to evolve, our approach to managing and manipulating data has the power to transform how projects are conceived, designed, and executed. While BIM is widely recognized for improving design accuracy and minimizing construction errors, it also delivers significant efficiency gains across all phases of a project’s lifecycle. By clearly defining workflows in the early stages of a project, teams can expect to substantially save time in later phases.

Design and construction are fields driven by constant change. Clients’ needs evolve, codes and regulations shift, and design ideas are refined over time – all while the technology at our fingertips is rapidly changing. This dynamic environment necessitates adaptable deliverables. Consider how the same design can be represented in multiple ways and how quickly teams need to iterate on a set of floor plans, create 3D visualizations, update zoning charts, or even construct 3D-printed models. Each is a different way to visualize the same underlying information, relying on the same dataset. Therefore, the real value of this data alongside BIM is to provide a flexible foundation, allowing teams to quickly make informed decisions as a project evolves.

Understanding how data informs our work can be useful at every level of a project. While coding and scripting are valuable skills, one does not need to be a master coder to contribute meaningfully to a data-driven workflow. Simply understanding how data interacts with current software tools can allow better design and project-management decisions, regardless of project scale. At the end of the day, the goal is to do more with less time and fewer resources – while improving the quality, efficiency, and coordination of designs. When everyone on the team understands how their data will inform the project, seemingly disparate workflows can integrate, advancing the project in a streamlined manner.

The following examples illustrate how all team members can thoughtfully approach the management and manipulation of data:

  • For those beginning to engage with BIM, grasping the fundamentals of project information can have a significantly positive impact on a project. During the pre-design phase, understanding the data embedded in zoning analysis and building code parameters can streamline early planning. A designer might leverage software tools to track zoning restrictions or building code requirements. This allows teams to quickly evaluate design constraints, aiding both early decision-making and communicating expectations with stakeholders. These constraints usually continue to be referenced throughout the life of a project, so organizing this information correctly from the outset is critical to initializing a team for success.
  • At a mid-level of proficiency, the ability to manipulate data within a BIM model becomes increasingly valuable to develop smoother workflows. As the design progresses, a team might need to toggle between 2D and 3D views depending on a variety of deadlines. By constructing a digital model using good modeling techniques, the team can quickly generate reports, accurately schedule information, or even export their data for further analysis. At this stage, teams must also make a concerted effort to minimize modeling conflicts and develop consistent design parameters.
  • For those with more advanced knowledge, scripting and automation offer the ability to further interact with a project’s data. Custom scripts can be developed to automate repetitive tasks, generate parametric designs, or trigger updates across a project when underlying data changes. For example, a Python script in Dynamo could automatically adjust building massing based on site analysis data, ensuring that additional design parameters can be considered in real-time. By developing this expertise, teams create well-structured workflows, improving efficiency while streamlining design process flexibility and accuracy of a project’s outputs.
  • Finally, integrating advanced technologies like generative design and artificial intelligence allows for entirely new ways of approaching a project. A generative design algorithm might optimize building layout based on environmental data or refine structural components for cost savings. However, if teams are integrating cloud-based technologies, it is important to also consider privacy concerns and understand what is happening with this precious data. It is essential to grasp how your data will be manipulated if being stored beyond your purview.

The ability to organize and utilize information becomes even more crucial as projects advance through later stages, and as our industry continues to evolve using increasingly sophisticated digital tools. Proper planning, organization, and understanding of data flows can mean the difference between a project’s success and failure – or, at the very least, the difference between sleepless nights and a well-coordinated drawing set. Outstanding project teams understand that efficient data management is at the heart of every phase of a project, from design to construction, and even continuing afterward, informing building administration. 

Hal Rosner is director of design technology at FXCollaborative. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

About Zweig Group

Zweig Group, a four-time Inc. 500/5000 honoree, is the premier authority in AEC management consulting, the go-to source for industry research, and the leading provider of customized learning and training. Zweig Group specializes in four core consulting areas: Talent, Performance, Growth, and Transition, including innovative solutions in mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, financial management, ownership transition, executive search, business development, valuation, and more. Zweig Group exists to help AEC firms succeed in a competitive marketplace. The firm has offices in Dallas and Fayetteville, Arkansas.