AEC Industry Market Intelligence

AEC-Related Professions

Data from the Cambashi Employment Observatory shows that world-wide there are 8x the number of managers and skilled trades people compared with architects, engineers and technicians. This represents a significant opportunity not only for BIM software vendors but also for businesses looking for further efficiencies as part of digital transformation.

BIM and the Digital Twin

BIM is often described as the backbone of digital transformation in AEC. At its core, BIM replaces traditional 2D drawings with coordinated 3D models that contain detailed, structured data. These models act as a single source of truth for design intent, helping reduce errors, avoid clashes, and improve communication across multiple teams.

But BIM is more than a modeling tool. It increasingly underpins workflows throughout the project lifecycle from early design through to construction and even into operations. In this broader sense, BIM is evolving into a platform for managing complexity, enabling collaboration, and improving overall project performance.

Digital twins represent a more recent innovation, aimed primarily at the Operate phase of the lifecycle, and their adoption is typically driven by asset owners and operators, rather than design or construction firms. A digital twin is a dynamic, digital replica of a physical asset, often integrated with live data from sensors or building management systems. These models can be used to monitor performance, optimize energy use, and predict maintenance needs.

Project Management and Collaboration Platforms

Closely tied to BIM are the digital platforms used to manage and coordinate construction projects. These tools such as Autodesk Construction Cloud, Procore, Trimble Connect, and others help bring order to a typical AEC project.

These platforms support a range of tasks such as managing RFIs, tracking submittals, assigning tasks, storing drawings, and controlling costs. They also help reduce reliance on email, spreadsheets, and paper-based workflows. While not every firm uses the same system, the growing use of cloud-based platforms is a clear sign that digital coordination is becoming a necessity, not a luxury.

Industrialized Construction

One of the most visible shifts in construction practice is the rise of industrialized methods such as offsite fabrication and modular construction. These approaches aim to apply manufacturing principles, think repeatability, precision, and quality control, to what has traditionally been a bespoke, site-based process.