The DBC working groups and accompanying Best Practice Guides enable members to collaborate on our initial goals, focusing on key issues that the founding members identified as crucial for the digital buildings market to reach its full potential.
As outlined on the About page, these smaller, agile and more representative working groups focus on building upon existing frameworks and actively seeking partnerships with other relevant trade bodies and initiatives.
WORKING GROUPS
Launched in September 2024, our initial Working Groups are as follows:
- Project scoping, planning and success metrics:
This Working Group aims to clarify the digital buildings technology adoption roadmap and its mapping to the broader digital transformation programmes. This group focuses on how the smart enablement of new build and retrofit projects can form part of these programmes. Collaborative efforts look to define success metrics and emphasise the importance of developing clear building or portfolio strategies and expected outcomes before addressing technology specifics. This approach seeks to reduce ambiguity, promote a common language in broader specifications, as well as ensure optimum digital building outcomes and value for all stakeholders. - Project costing and the business case:
This Working Group aims to effectively demonstrate the business case for digital enablement and adopt a more holistic approach to calculating ROI (e.g. around value), particularly as the boundaries between smart buildings and smarter workplaces continue to blur. Collaborative efforts include the engagement of Cost and Project Management Consultants to align digital outcomes with costs early in the project lifecycle, aiming to mitigate value engineering challenges and ensure comprehensive value.
BEST PRACTICE GUIDES
As part of the Working Groups we are planning a series of Best Practice Guide publications. These guides are part of the DBC’s efforts to enhance professional understanding through knowledge sharing. They will address specific practice areas or issues to help break down silos and provide clarity and assurance for achieving the potential of digital buildings. The first three publications planned for this series are:
- Linking BIM and Smart Enablement:
This publication will address the need to bridge the gap between digital construction and the growing digitisation of building operations as part of a drive towards improving ESG performance, improving efficiencies and creating more effective buildings. - Role of the MSI:
Recent discussions have questioned the value of appointing a proven Master System Integrator (MSI) to oversee digital building projects. This debate was the prompt for a publication that will outline the evolving roles and responsibilities of the key stakeholders in the digital building project delivery process and clearly articulate the value each player and delivery model brings. - S & G also in ESG:
A key insight from the roundtable that inspired the DBC formation was on the ESG and Net zero targets as key drivers for many smart building deployments, emphasising energy efficiency and carbon reduction. Often, societal and governance aspects of ESG are overlooked. This publication will explore practical sustainability aspects, the role of technology, and how it enhances governance and user experience.
The DBC fosters active member engagement and discussion around the Working Groups’ key issues. Members are encouraged to contribute to and review the Working Groups’ outputs, even if they are not directly involved.
Our Working Groups also support event partnerships, providing thought leadership opportunities for members and advancing our broader goals as detailed on the About page.
Stay connected by following the DBC on LinkedIn for the latest updates, events and insights from the founding members and reach out to learn how to join our community and contribute to our mission.
