The Joy of home brewing (Episode 75)

It’s a running joke that I have 1,000,000 hobbies, but one of my favorites, for a while,, at least until I had children,, was brewing beer. It would help to remember that this was before the Internet had decent speed and content. Yes, there was the Internet, but YouTube was six years in the future. It was less of a hobby than a financial requirement if you wanted decent-quality beer. There were no small breweries yet, either. ‘The Complete Joy of Home Brewing’ was my introduction to the hobby and I’ve been drinking good beer ever since..

Now we’re at a point where we really need the same type of book for software. We’re at the very beginning of contractors realizing that to get the quality they want at a price they can afford, they will have to brew their own. It doesn’t mean that you will build your own software for everything. It just means that you’re going to have to mix up some of your solutions from what’s out there if you're looking for decent quality at a reasonable price. In today’s episode, we talked to two master Brewers, Kevin Allen of Comfort Systems and Jeff Ellwell of E.M. Duggan. They have been brewing up their solutions for the past few years and have built out for their companies some of the best home brew you can imagine they’re here to inspire and make their case for why home brewing needs to be done. So grab a beer, sit back, and enjoy Episode 75, The Joy of Home Brewing.

Sparkies Unite

In this episode, the construction dorks sit down with Jared Christman, VDC Manager at Big State Electric, and Sean Lazarian, CFO at Electric Service & Supply Co. of Pasadena. We will dive into how the Sparkies are dealing with the chaos produced by the shift to BIM and other technologies in construction. Both Sean and Jared are members of the newly formed NECA innovation committee. We will discuss how this new group has helped change how they think about technological collaboration. We will also chat and even bitch a little about the challenges of bringing people together and building “standards” of technology and BIM. It should be a blast.

You've done it! You're a Unicorn! ...now what...?

As we all know, the boom of technology in our construction workflows has had a follow on effect of the creation of a whole new world of job titles and responsibilities. And you, YOU lucky dog you landed one of those jobs in last 5-10 years. Chances are you’re inventive and have an entrepreneurial spirit so you didn’t see this as the end, as the position you are going to work in until you ride off into the sunset… so now what?

Join the Construction Dorks as we talk about the career path for BIM, VDC, and construction technologists. Once you have been labeled a Unicorn, how do you create a career path? We will be joined by Ruben Gil and Rob Sloyer.

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“Design-Assist or Design-Rescue?”

While quite the novel concept, our industry today still struggles with clearly defining the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of a Design-Assist delivery model where early contractor engagement can help drive constructability into building systems design, coordination, and layout. Sure, BIM has enabled a more visual and collaborative approach to coordinating in 3D since its advent in 2004 – yet we still cling to the old ways of doing things and legal protection barriers to really get to the level of collaboration we need for Design-Assist to really get traction.

So what are the issues? Are architects and engineers not willing to give up more control to the contractors in the design process? Do GCs and Trades really understand what they are signing up for? Are wires crossed between who is modeling what and when in a BIM-driven design process? Are the implications of things such as ‘Right of Reliance’, digital data exchange, and model-based collaboration too great to conquer through lawyers and red tape? Why can’t this just be easy with a Responsibility Matrix and we roll up our sleeves and produce a well-coordinated, multi-discipline set of models that are ready for prefabrication? Sounds real simple, right?

Join the Construction Dorks as we unpack several areas of this approach with some seasoned veterans of the GC and Trade Partner marketplace.

The Dorks and Their Hobbies

We here at the podcast feel that balance is critically important in life. We can’t be all Con-Techy all the time. In this week’s episode, we invite Aaron Korvance from The Waldinger Corporation to battle head to head with our resident Hobby Nerd, Jon. In all fairness, the rest of us will chime in, but once you get Jon going on his many, many hobbies you just buckle up for the ride. We believe Aaron will give him a run for his money, though. A lot of this is inspired by the book Range by David Epstein, who we all got to see speak a few years ago at the MCAA Tech conference. David inspired us all to explore the concept of being a generalist. Tune in Wednesday at 5 pm CT to share your hobbies with us live on the podcast.

AB Normal

AB Normal

People love to make predictions about the new normal, but as in-person events attempt to reopen, they come with a host of complications and changes.  Looking back at the predictions and timelines, this is not the normal we expected. Things are definitely A B Normal. This week, the Dorks welcome Nathan Wood, head of the CPC, and Todd Weyandt host of Bridging the Gap Podcast, to share their thoughts on the predictions about the new normal. Also, to talk about how the reality of the AB Normal is affecting their members, guests, and even themselves.

We are MAD ABOUT INNOVATION!

THE CONSTRUCTION DORKS ARE MAD ABOUT INNOVATION BUT FOCUSED ON INNOVATING! WE ARE JOINED BY TWO OF THE INDUSTRIES WORKING MAD SCIENTISTS JEFF ELWELL, EM DUGGAN, AND STEVE WHITMER, ACCO, TO TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INNOVATION AND INNOVATING, AND COVER SOME OF THEIR CURRENT TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES. WE ARE ALSO GOING TO UNCOVER SOME OF THE THINGS THAT MAKE THEM MAD AS THEIR COMPANIES MAD SCIENTISTS. Oops, I guess I was yelling or was I……….

Software - Hardware = Noware!!

The Construction dorks are convening this week to discuss that all the software in the world can’t save you if it isn’t running on the right hardware. If you are into GPU’s, processors, threads, or bus speeds then you have to tune in to talk hardware with the one and only Buck Davis of BimBox USA. We will also dive into the productivity lost when the magic wheels on you PC’s are spinning and how you can alter hardware to drive productivity. This isn’t your grandma’s pc that is like saying a Nascar is the same as the car you can drive off the car lot down the street!

The Shady Side of Software SSShhhhh....

Construction technology has had its fair share of ups and downs. The construction industry is misunderstood, and nowhere is more evident than the industry’s relationship with technology vendors. The dorks are known for blowing the lid off the mystery and tackling the dirty side of technology. We are at it again, but this time one of our own, Jeff Sample, will take the hot seat and address the issues at hand. He won’t be alone, though by his side will be a superhero devoted to fighting overpromising, cloud cuffing, and shady software tactics, the one and only Plexxis Patriot, Chad Pearson. It won’t be all bad since these two crusaders are determined to unite the Dorks to define a new path where construction and software move forward together in a symbiotic relationship. You won’t want to miss this epic episode.

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Take Me To Your Data

We spend a lot of time talking about tech on the show. There are most likely thousands of tech solutions for construction companies to pick from to help augment their numerous processes. The technological landscape in our industry has evolved so quickly that most aren’t even taking the time to maximize a tech solution’s potential. The piece of tech fuses the break in a process and down the road we go…

There is a byproduct that is produced from all of this tech that is unfortunately being treated as waste by most. I am talking about DATA. A very powerful and informative byproduct that undoubtedly knows more about our work process and actions than we do. How do we leverage data? How much of it is useful? What can it do for us? Will it learn from me? Will I learn from it? We are going to let Kevin Soohoo from Egnyte and Amanda Harbison from NECA tell us all about it! We are simply going to sit back and demand that they Take Us To Their Data!

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The Power Triangle

Recently the MCAA, SMACNA, and NECA all got together and hosted the first MEP Innovation Conference. In Episode 24 we had on Sean McGuire to talk about the genesis and execution of the idea. Now we bring in the respective chairs of each associations’ tech committee’s, Stacy Zerr (MCAA), Joe Lansdell (SMACNA), and Bill Weber (NECA) to talk about how this partnership is going to be working together into the future to power the industry forward. Register below to tune in live!

The Godfather of ConTech Podcasts

As we continue our origin story, we have to go back before the Construction Dorks and enter a time of unrest in the construction and technology geek-o-verse. Back to a time when ERP’s ruled the land and small bands of BIM’ers, mobile bandits, and other rogue digitizers were scattered throughout the industry. Along came 3 new warriors, a BIM’er, a mobile bandit, and a geek with an idea. This geek knew this was more than a passing fancy and that the industry must know its potential. He brought the others together, and The ConTech Trio was born. With crappy microphones, no skills, and little more than hope, they set out spreading the word of technology. Soon the Construction Technologist was born, and the industry began to recognize that this was no longer a fad but a movement. The Trio became the Crew; the show took to the road with one show, then 3, and now 6. Others began to join the movement, and soon Construction Tech podcasts are still popping up everywhere. If you have to ask who we are talking about, you HAVE to tune in, but even if you knew from the opening line who it is, you’ll want to listen in to the ConTech Crew Chief, James Benham!

Show and Tell me your Tech

This week the Construction Dorks are taking a break from the usual unscripted guest interview and bringing you a show and tell of our favorite technology tool. You remember that day in school early on when we figured out the extraverts from the introverts by forcing you to bring in a precious item and explain to the class why they should want one and wondering why everyone tried to take it afterward! Since we like reliving these and other fond childhood memories (wink wink) we are bringing you our version of the classic “Show and Tell”. The rules of the game are it has to be a relevant tool that you are currently using and dorking out on. You have to be willing to bare it all and show it off. We will be judging each other but only based on our arbitrary opinions and through our jaded perspectives. We are letting it all hang out so you can soak it all in. I'll show you mine if you show me yours!

We didn't want it to end!

The Construction Dorks just needed to continue to bask in the glow of the annual MCAA Technology event that was upgraded to the MEP Innovation Conference this year. We didn't want it to end, so we asked Sean McGuire to be our guest and keep talking about innovation and the impetus for combining forces with NECA and SMACNA. Essentially we are dorking out on the conference and the things we couldn’t get enough of. We also wanted to talk with Sean about the partnership created to deliver this event. If you didn’t want it to stop or you didn’t have a chance to attend then this is the next best thing!

If It Ain't Broke.... Don't Fix It!

I’m willing to bet that everyone reading this has heard this multiple times in their lives. In the world of Construction Technology, I constantly deal with this phrase when trying to replace or decommission operations technology. When pondering about it more, it really got me thinking. I actually completely agree with the idea of if it ain’t broke then don’t fix it. Really???? YES I do! The issue is that people have a skewed understanding of what “Broke” means. To me, “Broke” isn’t when the piece of operations tech is on fire and no longer functions. (Which is the view of most) “Broke” is when the piece of technology no longer augments my labor in an efficient manor and the cost of not upgrading it is greater than the benefit made from the new version. Make sense?? Do me a favor… Start educating your team(s) on a better definition of broke. We can’t afford to wait for things to die before we consider them broken. There is inefficient technology out there that lives a LONG time! Understanding the true meaning of the word “broke” allows me to confidently say that I agree with the ladies and gents that say “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”!

-Cheers, Dork Trent

Generally a Dork

There are dorks everywhere and we embrace them all. This week we are inviting two of our favorite GC dorks to join the show. The OG of GC ConTech Ricardo Kahn and the new school DJ of VDC Alex Belkofer take to the microphone to bring us all up to speed on the technology that is transforming the construction process for general contractors. There is a rising tide in the construction industry between all stakeholders in the process and never is this more evident when general contractors and trade contractors work together to deliver sophisticated projects on time and under budget. No one stakeholder can determine the success of the construction technology evolution it requires everyone pulling in the same direction. Ric Kahn has coined the phrase co-opetition for the ConTech’s we know and it has driven the industry forward. Alex has played a major role in the digitization of the entire process with no data left behind. This is sure to be a face-paced and challenging dork out.

Level 2 Chaos- A Predictable Revolution never Erupts

Back on the 19th Gregory Santoro (of DADO) wrote an article “Whatever Happened to that Construction Tech Boom? “. In the article, Greg lays out the evidence for and concludes that the “boom” has been heavily impacted by the ability of contractors to implement and adopt technology overall. In short tech rate development significantly outpaces adoption. That disconnect results in all kinds of havoc when trying to bring solutions to the construction space but to spite that people are still lining up to try, and a large proportion of the most innovative and compelling construction tech is coming not from larger software companies but from smaller startups. Even large solution providers like Autodesk, Trimble, and Procore have a good amount of capital invested in small innovative startups and acquired startups on a regular basis. Contractors too are getting involved and it has become quite common for contractors to work with and invest in startups they see as addressing real problems. In this episode, we will talk with Jake Olsen of DADO and Alice Leung of Brick and Mortar Ventures about the ins and outs of construction startups what’s cool what may be coming and why Contech is still seeing good levels of investment even though the makers seem to be ahead of the market.

Hold my beer; the BIM Chronicles Volume 1

The DorkCast has always been about re-creating those after-conference conversations, And what would those conversations be without some good war stories about how fucked up construction can get. At the heart of these conversations is a subtle competition for which job was the worst and made the biggest mistake without actually getting fired. But no matter how good the current story is, there’s always at least one person at the table that says, “That’s nothing...” Most of us can agree that stories that start “you’ll never believe this” or “I almost got fired” is always more interesting than those about properly establishing coordination leadership. They also are usually as or more valuable in terms of learning and understanding construction realities. This week, we bring in three of the real kings (we actually have to build this) BIM, Curtis Watson, Scott Nobis, and Sal D'Ambrosia. Join us as they share mostly real stories of the good, bad, and hopefully ugly adventures they’ve had and lessons they’ve learned.

DorkCast 20 - Dork-ettes, Part Deux

It’s time to do it again. With it being Women in Construction Week next week, we’ve decided to turn over the show to some powerful Construction Dork-ettes. We are both trying to help bring awareness to the need for more women in construction while also highlighting that these powerful people have incredible dork-chops and that they just happen to be women. They will take the reigns and talk tech and construction. Sasha Reed, Jisell Howe, Kalyn Lengieza, Anne Pfleger, Andrea Breen, and we’re bringing back the DOY Lilian Magallanes join us. This time, though, we’re not going to fade into the background. During portions of the discussion, we’ve been asked to stick in and have real conversations about how we can all work together to bring more people, and more diversity, to our industry.

Mixed Mechanical Arts with the Queen of Prefab

On-site and off-site prefabrication is fueling the need for more advanced technology, better tools, and processes. As our Industry moves towards manufacturing and productization, BIM and construction technology are taking center stage, becoming the facilitators of a revolution in how we build. In this episode, the Dorks talk with Amy Marks, The Queen of Prefabrication and Head of Industrialized Construction Strategy at Autodesk, about where prefab is heading and how technology is adapting to its new normal. If you have not noticed the Dorks are huge fans of prefabrication, DfMA, and productization, we argue about it constantly. Add a bourbon and Amy Marks to the mix, and I am sure we have quite a show for you.