In this episode of The ConTech Crew, Jeff Sample and Jacob D'Albora sit down with John Price to discuss the evolution of BIM, CAD, and digital transformation in engineering. John shares his journey from a non-traditional start in drafting and design to leading BIM transformation.

He emphasizes the importance of bridging communication gaps between IT, leadership, and engineers, and how learning to "influence without authority" has been crucial in driving technology adoption. From his early days navigating AutoCAD to implementing BIM for the Navy and beyond, John reveals the hard lessons and rewarding moments that have shaped his approach to solving complex problems.

Top Takeaways:

The shift from drafting to model-based workflows requires a paradigm shift, not just a software change.
Miscommunication is often the biggest barrier to successful tech implementation. Educating stakeholders on terminology and processes is key.
Rather than trying to centralize all data in one place, focus on streamlining connections between different data silos.
Building trust with leadership, IT, and finance teams is critical for getting new tools approved and adopted.
The goal of BIM and data tools isn't just efficiency but creating better, more informed workflows.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] – Intro of the episode.

[01:26] – Jeff kicks off the show with John Price

[02:31] – John’s unconventional journey into BIM and engineering

[07:02] – The early challenges of transitioning from CAD to BIM

[17:25] – Data management and avoiding information silos

[27:09] – "Influence without authority" the key to driving change

[34:08] – The role of leadership, IT, and finance in tech implementation

[36:15] – Closing thoughts and wrap-up

Technology Leadership for AEC Professionals to Break Data Silos & Improve Efficiency with John Price

The ConTechCrew