FuturePlace Interview Spotlight, Quan Nguyen

The construction industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by groundbreaking technologies that are transforming the way that projects are designed, built and operated. We recently interviewed Quan Nguyen, Senior Digital Engineering Manager at McConnell Dowell, who develops tailored solutions for all of the projects and business units across the group. In his interview, he discussed major opportunities in data analytics, AI advancements, and sustainable technologies, highlighting the evolving role of technology in construction. Join Quan at the 2nd annual FCON-Tech Construction Technology Summit this October, where he will speak on the Fostering Digital Delivery Panel to discuss strategic digital tool utilisation in construction.

FuturePlace: Dear Quan thank you for your time today and can you start by telling me more about your role and what Innovation and Digital Delivery means to you and for McConnell Dowell?

Quan Nguyen: Sure, I’m a Senior Digital Engineering Manager – within the Group responsible for the DE Specialist Capabilities Team. This team focuses on developing focused solutions for all  projects and business units across the group.

Innovation and Digital delivery are a core part of McConnell Dowell’s (MCD’s) DNA, just look at our company motto of “creative construction”. MCD is a creative constructor and it’s a business that is always searching for engineeringly challenging projects. Not to say all projects are simple and easy. But as a business we go out and actively search for these challenges and we choose to bid on these. Now we have several clients who come directly to us saying simply “we have a problem”.

So, when you have a non-standard problem, you must use and find non-standard solutions. For us this is when innovation starts to percolate and develop this is “Business as Usual”.

Near to long term – the integration of new and non-tradition technologies into construction has been very important. The increased use of Generative AI throughout all phases of construction is too. In particular, the use of gaming engines to visualise, inform, co-ordinate and train. Lastly, the use of 3D printers during construction and a lot more precast and modular design solutions.

FuturePlace: We have seen Innovation led by new construction methods and technologies have become increasingly important to construction project delivery. What are the big trends that you are seeing in this space and what impacts are they having?

Quan Nguyen: Near to long term – the integration of new and non-tradition technologies into construction has been very important. The increased use of Generative AI throughout all phases of construction is too. In particular, the use of gaming engines to visualise, inform, co-ordinate and train. Lastly, the use of 3D printers during construction and a lot more precast and modular design solutions.

FuturePlace: What are the largest opportunities that you have seen for Digital Construction professionals over the last year and looking ahead into the future?

Quan Nguyen: Over the last year data analytics, data trending, generative AI usage have all been hugely transformative and important. Education is finally catching up with more DE education options and starting to see that DE is beyond simply BIM.

However, into the future it will be the evolution of generative AI’s and the innovative ways our teams and individuals come up with to implement and use it, especially in the field. Hardware and software is also catching up with this development which is great.

Lastly, education of the wider teams and those individuals exploring and understanding the full functionality of each business’s tech stack. Sometimes the smallest capability, that no one was aware of, can increase productivity tenfold.

FuturePlace: How are the big issues of Safety and Sustainability being addressed by new technologies?

Quan Nguyen: In safety and sustainability, Gaming Engines for training and awareness are important here. Tracking Technology, like air tags, to track plant and collect data, will assist demystifying some of the sustainability play an important role too. Lastly, the evolved use of mobile technology and GIS to inform, collect and communicate all have an important role to play.

FuturePlace: How important is Human Capital across technology deployment and how are you going about training, developing and retaining your team?

Quan Nguyen: The Value of Human Capital in general is understated. You can’t deliver projects without people. I believe that upskilling the entire workforce will always improve delivery and has the potential to de-risk decision making.

FuturePlace: What excites you about speaking at the FCON-Technology Summit and what topics and speakers are of most interest to you?

Quan Nguyen: The opportunity to share, learn and discuss with like-minded professionals across the industry is important to me.

FuturePlace: Dear Quan, thank you for your time and I’m looking forward to hearing your insights at the FCON-Tech Construction Technology summit in Sydney on the 23rd of  October.