Following the foundational workshop that catalysed its formation and the subsequent launch of the Digital Buildings Council (DBC), the next vital step was to translate collective ambition into actionable initiatives. In September 2024, at PropTech Connect in London, the DBC officially launched its initial Working Groups and accompanying Best Practice Guides – a direct response to the critical challenges identified by founding members.

My involvement in facilitating the event partnership with PropTech Connect was a strategic move to give these crucial initiatives the platform they deserved. It’s an example of how my “Market Engagement” approach helps nascent industry groups gain visibility and credibility in a crowded landscape. This event, where I co-hosted the workshop announcing these groups, was not just an unveiling; it was a demonstration of the DBC’s commitment to tangible progress.

These “Working Groups,” effectively focus areas, are the engine through which the DBC aims to bridge significant industry gaps. They underscore my long-held articulation of the Project-Operations Gap as the overarching problem in digital buildings. This fundamental disconnect between how projects are conceived and delivered versus how buildings perform in operation is a key driver for many of these planned initiatives. Providing clarity and practically filling these gaps is precisely what these groups are designed to do.

The initial structure includes two main Working Groups and three Best Practice Guides:

Working Groups:

• Project scoping, planning and success metrics: Addressing the need for clear, measurable outcomes from the outset.
• Project costing and the business case: Focusing on demonstrating holistic ROI and value alignment.

Best Practice Guides:

• Linking BIM and Smart Enablement: Streamlining the connection between design and smart building capabilities.
• Role of the MSI: Clarifying the crucial function of the Master Systems Integrator.
• S & G also in ESG: Integrating social and governance aspects within environmental, social, and governance frameworks for digital buildings.

This launch marked a significant progression: from identifying shared challenges in the initial workshop, to establishing a collaborative platform through the DBC’s formation, and now, to launching the focused project initiatives that will drive real change. It’s a testament to the power of strategic engagement in transforming dialogue into impactful action, defining a clear path towards a more interconnected and effective digital built environment.

You can read more about the launch of these working groups in Smart Buildings Magazine: Working Groups launched by the Digital Buildings Council