Dan Rossiter is the sector lead for digital transformation at BSI, and also actively supports the construction industry with involvement in Constructing Excellence, buildingSMART and the UK BIM Alliance. We caught up with him ahead of his appearance in not just one, but two sessions at DCW next week…
Tell us a bit about your background and how you came to work in digital construction.
Initially I wanted to study Architecture at University but was shocked to discover that spending my A-levels playing card games as opposed to revising resulted in poorer grades than I had hoped. My insurance choice was to study architectural technology at Coventry, and it was the best mistake I’ve made. At Coventry, I realized that my interest came from understanding the science and technology behind construction. Focusing on the software-side I become digitally native quite quickly and could really see its potential.
After graduating I spent several years doing architectural work for Cardiff Council, specialized into BIM when I came to work at BRE undertaking research, training and auditing services and am now the sector-lead for BSI focusing on digital transformation within the built environment.
What is the most exciting thing about your role?
The most exciting thing about my role is that, for the first time, I don’t work for a construction-specific organization. I have colleagues with expertise in manufacturing, automotive, medicine and other sectors; providing me with insights from areas I previously knew nothing about. Considering we talk about the manufacturing sector as the holy grail, it is interesting to hear about the shortcomings within the manufacturing sector.
Tell us about a recent innovation or technology that you’ve been most impressed by.
While it might not be relevant for DCW, I’ve been impressed recently by deepfake; the technology behind face-swapping. I recently saw a video where deepfake was used on a Tom Cruise impersonator so that Tom’s actual face appeared alongside a near perfect voice and mannerisms. Videos can no longer be trusted as an accurate source of evidence.
The ability to do this sort of thing shows the importance of being able to verify the information we receive.
Can you tell us a bit about your session at Digital Construction Week 2019?
This year I am talking about Digitizing, Digitalizing and Digital Transformation. In brief, I am introducing these as three distinct concepts, how they can benefit an organization and where further information can be found on each topic.
Many organizations don’t want to “transform”. By highlighting the benefits of digitizing and digitalizing, I hope to show how an organization can improve without having to drastically change.
How important is Digital Construction Week to the industry?
I think DCW is important because it brings so many different aspects of our industry together into a single location, all focusing on a single theme. It is one of a few events I always try and attend each year, and I am excited to be on the main stage as well as presenting in the BIM village this time!
What do you see as the most interesting and exciting future applications for digital technology in construction?
I personally see supportive technologies as the most exciting, two of which being automated design checking and assisted reality. I like the idea of having a “clippy” for construction that guides teams to meet drawings, specification and regulations; empowering (as opposed to replacing) through technology.
What challenge in your work life would you most like a technology or process to help solve?
Getting from Cardiff to London! Currently there are a lot of road works and train delays. Our current infrastructure isn’t fit for purpose when it is more expensive and slower to take public transport. The sooner we have hyperloops, the better!
What piece of advice would you give to someone starting out on a career in digital construction?
KISS (keep it simple stupid). Too often people try to over engineer a solution. Digital is meant to help, use digital tools to make life easier and adoption will follow.
See Dan at Digital Construction Week 2019
Digitize, Digitalize, Digital Transformation at the BIM Village theatre at 11.30am on Thursday 17 October
The Road to Digital Twins, why, what, and how (Panel) at the Main Stage at 10.55am on Thursday 17 October
This panel session also features Rosemary Nunn (Chair), Founder and Managing Director of I&K, the Innovation and Knowledge Agency; Cristina Savian, Digital Transformation Director at BE-WISE; Richard Saxon CBE, Deploi BIM Strategies; and Bethan Morgan, Honorary Research Fellow at UCL.