Breaking New Ground: Sara Hedge's Journey in Digital Construction and Shaping the Future with Innovative Tech

Imagine breaking new ground in a field that's ripe for innovation and brimming with opportunities. Sara Hedge, CDI Contractors' BIM VDC Coordinator and a trailblazer for women in construction, joins us to share her transformative journey from architecture and interior design to spearheading digital construction. Her story is not just about personal triumph but also about how she's leveraging her expertise to foster diversity and inspire a new generation through technology and engagement in organizations like NAWIC and WLI.

This episode isn't just about shattering glass ceilings; it's also about shattering old norms of construction practices. Sara takes us through the initial resistance her team faced while shifting to 3D modeling and how they overcame operational challenges, leading to project successes that set a new benchmark for innovation at CDI. We peer into the intricate process of reimagining an underground utility tunnel with cutting-edge scanning technology and discuss the necessity of internal buy-in for adopting such transformative tech. It's a candid look at the trials and triumphs of embracing change.

As we wrap up our conversation, Sara, who has managed projects worth over $1.5 billion, forecasts the exciting role of AI, AR, and VR in the construction industry's future. While acknowledging the hurdles of technology adoption, she highlights the importance of empathy and education in smoothing the transition. Join us as we explore the not-so-distant dream of teleportation devices and reflect on the significant time-saving and connectivity potential such innovations could offer. It's an episode packed with vision, expertise, and a glimpse into the future of construction technology.

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:27

Welcome to Future Construct. I'm Mark Odin, the CEO of BIM Designs Inc. And guest host of Future Construct. Today I'm hosting Sarah Hedge, bim VDC Coordinator at CDI Contractors. Welcome, sarah. Thank you for making the time to join me.

Speaker 2: 0:41

Hey, thanks for having me. I'm glad to be here.

Speaker 1: 0:44

So, as we get started, I want to provide our audience with some of your background. As a native of Arkansas, known by many as the natural state for its natural scenic beauty, clear lake streams and abundant wildlife, you graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor in Science in Architecture Studies. During your decade of BIM VDC experience, you've completed over $1.5 billion in design and construction projects. Upon joining CDI in May of 2021, you received your Certification of Management BIM Accreditation one of only 11 in the state and most recently acquired your Certification of Management LEAN Accreditation. On a typical day, you can be found leading a wide range of efforts, from technology testing to hands-on job site training to subcontractor trade coordination. You're also an active member of the National Association of Women in Construction and Committee Member of the Women's Leadership Initiative of NWA. With so much experience, sarah, you've had a profound and positive impact on the digital construction market and continue to do so. Thank you for all of your many contributions in the AAC space.

Speaker 2: 1:48

Thank you so much, I appreciate that.

Speaker 1: 1:50

So, to begin, I'd love to dive into more of your story. Can you share with our audience your journey from graduating with a BS in Architecture Studies at the University of Arkansas to becoming the BIM VDC coordinator at CDI Contractors?

Speaker 2: 2:02

Absolutely I. Actually, when I graduated I was working with a furniture company doing interior design, just trying to get as much work experience as I can anything related to my architecture background. After a couple of years doing that, I was lucky enough to land just a beginner drafter role doing ammonia, refrigeration, of all things for a food processing company and spent about seven years there just doing drafting and eventually working my way up to be their technical discipline drafting leader. So I was managing several different groups within that processing company.

Speaker 2: 2:39

After that I felt like I had had a good sense of time with the design side of things. You know, I wanted to see what else was out there, and so construction just felt like a really good next step for me. It was the side that I didn't get as much of whenever I was with my previous role, and as much as it helped me having the design background. I came into the construction world really not knowing much of what was going on, and the CDI has really taken me under their wing and grown me these last three years. So that's how I ended up where I'm at today.

Speaker 1: 3:10

That's beautiful and what inspired your pursue into the architecture sciences career, architecture studies.

Speaker 2: 3:17

Yeah, as cliche as it sounds, I was a kid that got like markers and crayons for Christmas. I've always loved to draw, I've always loved making things and I've always thought it was really important to have beautiful spaces. But that really drew me into architecture and that's why made me choose it.

Speaker 1: 3:35

That's awesome. Thank you so much, sarah. So, as an active member of the National Association of Women in Construction, or the NAWIC, and also a committee member of the Women's Leadership Initiative of NWA, also WLI, how do you see your role in fostering diversity and inclusion within the construction industry and what initiatives have you been involved in to promote women in construction?

Speaker 2: 3:56

Great question. So I've been a member of NAWIC and WLI for almost my entirety of being at CDI now, so almost three years. When I started with CDI I was one of three females in the office only one of two that were actually in the field occasionally. And now CDI today has eight females on our team, which I just think is amazing, and they've been really persistent about getting me involved in recruiting. So I get to go to career fairs and explain to people that there's a lot more to construction than someone standing out there with a set of drawings or holding a shovel having to fill a trench with gravel. You know there's a lot more going on in the background, whether it be project management, estimation, and then to explain also to our NAWIC and WLI chapters again that construction is more than just hard hats. A lot of people, when I mentioned BIMBVDC, they have no idea what that means. So it's fun to be able to teach them a little bit about what I do and how it can make everyone's jobs a lot easier.

Speaker 1: 5:08

That's great. I'm curious when you are stepping out into the recruiting sphere, what are your primary observations? What are you seeing as the interests of potential new hires, or even the next generation? How do you find that you can relate to them and speak to them, and when and how do you explain BIMBVDC to them? And when do you see that light bulb click in their mind?

Speaker 2: 5:36

Sure. So one of the things I always try to do when I recruit is bring the VR goggles. It's something that we use as a company and it's something that this generation that we're recruiting especially in new recruits really seem drawn to. When they see the goggles or they see the scanner, they see a laptop up with a lot of different lines drawn in different colors. That's something that really resonates with them, since they are so technology focused or technology driven.

Speaker 2: 6:01

So a lot of times, if I can lure them into the table with that hardware, it's a pretty easy sell to say this is something that we can teach you to do if you already don't know how to do or if you are doing it currently. That applies to what we're doing in our everyday world, not just within BDC. A lot of people think that they've got to have a construction management background and, quite frankly, it's just not the truth. We've got architects, mechanical engineers, civil engineers, finance backgrounds with CDI. So it's more about understanding how the pieces fit together, how the team works to get the project built, and really, if you just have a good, a good problem to solve, construction is a place for you.

Speaker 1: 6:44

And so, speaking of aspiring individuals that are pursuing a career in BDC and coordination, what advice would you give them, based on your own experiences and the evolving landscape of the construction industry?

Speaker 2: 6:57

I think my biggest piece of advice would be just to be a sponge. Don't get too tied to just the design world or just the construction world. Learn about everything that you can. Go on job visits, go shadow someone that doesn't have the same role as you. Learn from those people and understand what their struggles are, what their hardships are. You know, one of the things that I think most BIM and BDC managers deal with on a daily basis is getting the team in the field to actually use the models, to actually use the coordinated files that we're spending so much time on, and so spending that time, making that effort to get to know what the troubles and the struggles actually are, makes it much easier to relate what I do to the people who aren't as familiar with the technology I love that yeah.

Speaker 1: 7:46

How have you seen success in helping the field use the model?

Speaker 2: 7:51

I will say I'm very, very lucky that the teams that I work with in our Northwest Arkansas office have truly embraced my role.

Speaker 2: 7:59

You know our Litterock branch as well. We've had a BIM BDC team in our Litterock office for well over 10 years at this point, and so CDI is very cognizant, very aware of all of the changes in technology and they really try to push the limits with how they use that in the field. And, like I said, the teams that I get to deal with day in, day out in Northwest Arkansas, they're always willing to let me come in and show them something new, to ask me how to make something work. You know they can. A lot of them can use the 3D scanner themselves and understand not only how to use it but what the output is and what they're trying to gain with that information. So I think I've just kind of stepped into a good position where there is eager to learn, as I am to teach. So it's been a really good relationship between myself and the field teams because we're all trying to help each other out and be successful.

Speaker 1: 9:11

And you're saying, in terms of teaching and learning, that brought to my mind. What do you employ and what resources do you go to to keep top of mind and top of market in terms of what's coming out?

Speaker 2: 9:22

Yeah, so our BIM department meets weekly and we're constantly talking about testing new software, new hardware. You know I follow a lot of things on LinkedIn that try and keep me up to date, make sure that we're trying the latest and greatest, or at least looking at it to see what benefit it brings to CDI. I'm also looking enough to attend AU, so we get to go to Autodesk University and see what they've got coming out. But we deal with a lot of different hardware and software and not just Autodesk related, and we keep in close touch with their reps so that we're always at the forefront of technology.

Speaker 1: 9:54

Beautiful. So what are you seeing in the market today? And then the next question will be about what are you most excited about seeing in the future. But what are you seeing about the market today in terms of software and hardware in the BIM VDC space?

Speaker 2: 10:07

Yeah, that's a good question. I would say the thing that's really evolved over the last few years and just seems to be getting more and more amazing is the rendering technology. I mean, you can just do so much now with materials, lighting, placement in the models itself and then tying that into technology that's coming down the line. You know all of the AI that's out and about in the world right now with things like chat and GPT. I just see that really starting to bleed over into the BIMVDC world. It's crazy how much it's changed even in the last decade that I've been doing this job. The scanning time has decreased from minutes to seconds. You can take 360 photos with the camera on your hard hat. The possibilities are truly endless.

Speaker 1: 10:52

I love that. What you've been able to do over your decade of experience in BIMVDC is very impressive, especially with completing over $1.5 billion in design and construction projects. Could you highlight one project that stands out to you and share the challenges and successes you encountered during this execution?

Speaker 2: 11:08

Sure, I'm actually going to share two, if that's okay. I'm a little bit partial to two of them. The first one I want to mention is the very first project that I modeled entirely in 3D. It was, at my previous job, a read processing facility, about a $300 million project, and it was the first ground up facility that this company had chosen to do in well over 50 years. Not only did they decide to do a brand new facility, they decided that they were going to go all in and do it 100% in 3D.

Speaker 2: 11:43

Our drafting team at the time had very little to none experience no experience doing 3D drafting, 3d modeling. It was a huge challenge for our drafting team and for the company as well to really understand what they were fighting off. Anyone who's done 3D modeling knows it's not something you just wake up and decide to do one day and then throw on a very expensive project. We had a lot of challenges really starting to get things going building up our libraries, building up our family and truly building up some buy-in from the end users and from our higher ups. At that time there just weren't a lot of other people in the industry that were using 3D modeling and making them understand the benefits that it was going to bring in the long run, while we were fighting so many uphill battles initially, was very challenging. With that being said, the project did end very successfully. Not only was I able to complete my task, as I believe I was a refrigeration drafter at the time, but because of the quick amount of time that we had to get this project done, I had picked up on a lot of things. We were all, as a team, able to help each other out to finish on time, to finish under budget, which you know is very important. I really hold that project near and dear to my heart because I think it was a good push for the company to say that 3D is here, it's not going anywhere. I think that project is what made them really embrace the technology.

Speaker 2: 13:11

That's my first favorite. My second favorite is one of the very first projects that I did with my time at CDI. It was an underground utility tunnel that was being laid out first so that we could build a research facility on top of it. This was, like I said, my very first project with CDI, my very first time to really show the team what I could do.

Speaker 2: 13:35

So because of that, there is a lot of me getting to use technology that they hadn't seen before or at least maybe didn't even know about prior to me being there. We were getting to use scanners. We were getting to push in full points back and forth between Revit, with our field engineers, and the superintendent and I worked very closely together to actually redesign the tunnel itself so that it would lay out the way that it was supposed to, based on the Asphalt conditions, and while it might not have been a very big project, monetarily, it was huge and it was very critical in making sure that we got that done so that the rest of the project would be successful, because it was going to be done in three phases. So it was just really an awesome moment to see that come to fruition, to know that we worked together as a team like my second week on the job to make sure that it could get done so that we could carry on and keep going.

Speaker 1: 14:32

Well, I can just see that collaborative spirit in you, sarah, so I'm glad that others are able to see that as well. I'm curious on the first project where you said, hey, the company had decided to go all in, it was their first ground up in 50 years and yet you still faced buy-in challenges. So, and I imagine you also faced not having that company, not having any prior experience, maybe some process challenges and standard operating procedures challenges. So speak a little bit, if you could, about some of those challenges and what you did to overcome them.

Speaker 2: 15:06

Absolutely. At the time, the team that I was with. They were really hands-on All of us were, the Jocke team was, and so I feel like everyone really put in the extra effort and the extra time to not only learn the software but write the procedures as we went. I mean, it was very crucial that we all understood. None of us were professionals, so we were learning and building on the fly and we were under a very serious time and budget crunch.

Speaker 2: 15:32

And not only that, but it required that everyone in the department get new technology so that we could actually handle the size of the models that we were building. So it was really nice to see the group come together to start to see the buy-in from the executive team. I think for them, what was most eye-opening using that technology was understanding that it's not just about having a cool model to look at. At the end of the day, it's not about being able to throw it into rendering software or put it in the VR goggles. What was most appealing to them as the owner and as the end user was that they could finally in depth explore the safety aspect of what they were doing, because they were able to eat a lot of those 3D models and for me I think that's what really was a tipping point for them, that got us that buy-in to keep going.

Speaker 1: 16:23

I love that. Yeah, and with new tech and new processes and to finish under budget. That's a major accomplishment, Sarah. Incredible, Absolutely.

Speaker 2: 16:31

Thank you?

Speaker 1: 16:32

Yeah, it's also noteworthy that you received your certification and management BIM accreditation upon joining CDI in 2021, being one of the 11 to do so in Arkansas and then, more recently, adding that and acquiring your certification management lean accreditation further to your experience. How have these certifications enhanced your role, what did you learn from them and what motivated you to pursue them?

Speaker 2: 16:57

Yeah, I think that one of the things I love so much about CDI is not only are they constantly looking at the technology that's coming, but they're very heavily invested in growing the people that they have. They really believed in me when I went to them and said, hey, I need to take this test that have this accreditation. Not only does it show that I actually know what I'm doing, but it helps me to stay fresh and to keep a new perspective on different ways that we can do things. There's so many ways to implement BIM and VDC technology. I think that going through those courses and taking those exams really gave me the confidence that I do know what I'm doing after the song.

Speaker 2: 17:38

I just think it's nice that I've got that in my back pocket. That way, when people are learning new things that we're doing for the company, they understand that I'm not doing this selfishly. I'm doing it truly to better the project and to better the teams that we have out in the field. As far as the lean accreditation, we have some leadership in the company that really started honing in on different lean methods with this last project that we've been working on. I felt that it was really important for me as part of the project team to be able to bring that to the table so that I could bring value, not only through BIM and VDC, but so that I can understand their processes and think of ways to make them more clean and concise, so that when it was time to train or it was time to knock something out for them from a BIM or VDC standpoint, I was being effective for them and timely for them so that they could stay on the schedule as well.

Speaker 1: 18:32

So do you feel these certifications enabled you to bring that knowledge and value back into CDI and that you're in a position at CDI to be able to influence those processes?

Speaker 2: 18:44

Absolutely. They are very, very persistent about having training so that everyone is cross-train in some way. We do that monthly throughout the company in northwest Arkansas and then we do it once a month as well on different job sites. So they're always looking for someone to step up and say this is what we should be working towards or maybe this is what we could be doing better. They're constantly pushing the envelope, and so having those accreditation really gives me that like to stand on when I say maybe we should think about doing things this way.

Speaker 1: 19:19

I love that, Sarah. On a typical day for you, it may involve a wide range of activities like technology testing, hands-on job site training and trade partner coordination. Can you walk us through a day in your life as a BIM VDC coordinator and how you balance your diverse responsibilities?

Speaker 2: 19:37

Sure, to be quite honest, I don't know that I have a true day in the life it is so different every day. But typically I like to come in and check out what's on my schedule, just make sure that I've got an understanding of the flow of things. If we're in the middle of a project that's got coordination going on, I'll spend a lot of time actually reviewing the 3D model, making sure that there are no issues, or, if there is an issue, I've got no to it to actually bring it up with the group later. And then, when we do have that coordination call, it's really important to me that everything starts and ends on time. I want to be really respectful of the fact that other people have different meetings and plans throughout their day. So if we're going to start at three o'clock, we're starting right at three o'clock and we're going to end right whenever the meeting says it's going to end, and I think that some of the lean coming back to me here.

Speaker 2: 20:23

But I really want to spend the time to make sure that the people that are going to be using the models in the field are getting the most value for what we're doing. So it's important to me when I have those calls, that not only are we including the people that are doing the modeling, but we want the project managers on the call, we want the superintendents on the call, we want the trade foreman on the call, we want all involved parties, the design team, all of the CDI internal team, from field engineer to superintendent, and I've been really supported in that fact. You know, before I was in this role at Northwest Arkansas there was no BDEC manager and they were able to rely on our Litterock team. So being able to bring that to them and then not have to wait for things to get done and me be able to give them a quick turnaround is really important, because the faster we can move behind the scenes, the more they can stay on schedule in the field.

Speaker 1: 21:16

Well, I appreciate that so much and that's really great meeting excellence that perhaps came out of that lean certification, for example, identifying the stakeholders and ending and starting on time and enforcing those criteria as part of great meeting excellence Such an important foundation that all of us can learn from. When you're coordinating with trade partners, how do you ensure that effective collaboration and communication among different stakeholders and what strategies have you found most successful in streamlining coordination efforts?

Speaker 2: 21:45

I would say that earlier the better. Always, as soon as you can start coordination, you should do it. Don't wait until the very last minute to decide to get everyone involved. I'm also a really big fan of communicating. I'm the type of person that will send you email after email after email and then call after call after call.

Speaker 2: 22:05

It's really important to me that I follow up on things that are loose ends and thankfully I've got amazing teammates that help me do that.

Speaker 2: 22:12

I mean, we've got minutes after minutes after minutes that we take after each meeting. So you know, just being able to go back and keep record of anything that we've done or decided as a group and then to share that information with whoever was on the call, I think he's key. But I cannot stress the over communication enough, and I think having an agenda is really important. I mean you can go in and communicate all you want, but if you're all over the place, nobody's going to be able to focus, no one's going to know what's going on. So being able to keep a very strictly loose is that a term An agenda that you can follow but have some room to wiggle a little bit I think that's really key and just making sure that people know that they're being heard. I don't think there's anything worse than going into a meeting and voicing your opinion about a concern and nothing being done about it, so that's where that follow up really is key when it comes to our coordination meetings.

Speaker 1: 23:07

Thank you so much for sharing that. I just love the advice and the execution of that as well, sarah. So great, especially all of that. And then to add to that, you know helping make sure that others feel heard, which is so important. Appreciate that so much. Yeah. Given your involvement in technology testing, how do you see emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning impacting the future of BIM and BDC?

Speaker 2: 23:32

I think, if anything, it's going to make things better. I know a lot of people are kind of hesitant with AI, and I get it. It's kind of scary, it can be misused, but I really do think it's going to make a huge difference in the way that we do our work, whether that means expediting it or making smarter decisions. It's so amazing what all it can do, and it's just going to be endless amounts of information at our fingertips. So I really hope that everyone is able to lean into it and embrace it, because I don't see it going anywhere.

Speaker 1: 24:07

Yeah, thanks so much. I'd like to point to the webinar that I recently hosted with Applied Software, graytek, just a couple months ago, on how AI is going to impact BIM and BDC. I was pretty excited about the interaction and activity and the Q&A that came out of that. Definitely, you know, encourage the leaning in, so I'm glad that you appreciate that as well and the massive change that you see. Are there specific technologies that you find particularly promising or transformative?

Speaker 2: 24:42

I think AI I mean honestly it's just exploded. I think AR is still really powerful as well. You know VR gets talked about the most, I think. But AR, I think, is not going anywhere either. It's going to be around for a while. It's going to continue to make very successful projects even more successful just because so many people are not as visual as those that are building it. So I'm excited to see what happens.

Speaker 1: 25:10

Yeah, I was actually just thinking about this. Actually, the AI, ar and VR where AR and VR, augmented reality and virtual reality both have a hardware component to the system, whereas AI can be it can be hardware, yes, but it also can be entirely software based and so I've been intrigued in seeing the proliferation of AI move so much faster than AR or VR other hardware based technologies, and it's been, you know, in my thought process of that I was really, you know, I came to the conclusion of you know, the software can just move faster, right, it can just spread faster, it can get around faster than the physical equipment that hardware requires. And yet you look at, you know what's coming out, like the rabbit V1, for example, which is a combination of hardware and software, a combination of you know, holding a device while you, you know, talking to it and using it through through AI. You know LLMs and LAMs, so pretty neat, pretty neat stuff coming out, and how quickly it's proliferating is amazing.

Speaker 2: 26:16

Yeah, and I think something else that will probably start to see more of are the smart lenses, like the visors on your hard hat or the hollow lens Goggles. You know it's always been around, it hasn't been super prominent, but with the way that the hardware list software is evolving you know, ray-bans, putting AI or not AI, ar into glasses now and so I just think we're going to continue to see more of that evolution the software being put into everyday things that we're already using. So that's going to be really cool.

Speaker 1: 26:51

And Sarah. Having completed over $1.5 billion in design and construction projects, you've likely overcome your fair to serve challenges. I know we've talked some of those challenges that you've encountered, and what challenges do you foresee for the future of the MVDC coordination and how do you think professionals in the field can proactively address and overcome these challenges?

Speaker 2: 27:11

I think it goes back to the fact that change is hard.

Speaker 2: 27:14

People get comfortable using what they know and what they like, and so when a new technology comes around, you know six months after you've learned the first one.

Speaker 2: 27:23

That's kind of deflating. I mean, it's really frustrating to have to learn what you think is something brand new all over again. But I really do think that the way that things are evolving I mean, four year olds can use iPhones, so it's just more and more intuitive every day I think that it's only going to continue to improve as far as a user experience, and that's why I think it's so important in a role as a VVDC coordinator to understand that you're not just there to do the dog and pony show. So much of what I do is teaching people and having that empathy to sit beside them and walk them through step by step and make them understand. It's OK if you don't understand this right now or if you don't know how to use this right now, but this is what it's going to do for you long term, and I found that by doing that, I'm much better received by those that I'm working with and they're more apt to use it and apply it in their day to day job.

Speaker 1: 28:19

Yeah, and in the execution of the BIM process and the technologies that create the BIM process are so fundamental, so important to our industry. And what I've really enjoyed about speaking with you about is all of the soft skills that you bring to it, for example, the empathy, the meeting excellence, you know, really understanding the importance of everything around the process. So it's been, it's been really enjoyable and learning that from you today, sarah. And as a final question of the show and a tradition of future construct, if you could project yourself out 25 years and wanted to have any device technology that would benefit you personally, what would it be and what would it do?

Speaker 2: 29:01

Oh gosh, I would love to have some sort of button, like on my car keys or on my phone, probably an app that would teleport me. I feel like I spend so much time getting back and forth between places. It would just be so convenient to be able to whip out my phone, open an app and be on vacation or be back, you know, with some family members somewhere. That would be my ultimate goal.

Speaker 1: 29:28

Very cool, yeah, some type of you know teleportation device that saves you from so much time spent traveling, especially getting through TSA and the airport and all that fun stuff.

Speaker 2: 29:38

Getting in line at Chick-fil-A at the drive-thru. I mean there's a lot of options that would be very useful.

Speaker 1: 29:44

For sure. Okay, very cool. Well, I hope hope you see that very soon. Sarah and I really appreciate your time today and thank you for audience at Future Construct. Appreciate everybody so much.

Speaker 2: 29:54

Thank you so much for having me Absolutely.