Empowering MEP Contractors through VDC Insights
The John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF), in collaboration with the New Horizons Foundation and Electri, is co-funding a vital Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) Time Study. This study, conducted by the University of Washington’s Department of Construction Management, aims to help the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) trades better understand and benchmark VDC engineering work. Facing ongoing challenges in estimating VDC services, assessing productivity, and evaluating the value of coordination, MEP contractors need clear metrics to optimize their practices. This initiative addresses these needs by examining data provided directly by contractors, allowing for a robust analysis that leads to actionable insights.
Why This Study Matters
As VDC practices evolve and play an increasingly integral role in the MEP trades, contractors are under pressure to deliver high-quality coordination and modeling while keeping projects efficient and cost-effective. Unlike field installations where productivity can be measured by tangible progress, VDC includes both visible deliverables (virtual models) and intangible benefits, like enhanced collaboration and reduced rework.
This study seeks to address three pressing challenges for MEP contractors:
- Estimation – How can MEP contractors accurately estimate the time and cost needed for VDC services?
- Productivity – What are the most efficient practices for modelers, and how can productivity be fairly assessed?
- Coordination – How does the time spent in coordination meetings and working with other teams impact the overall value and efficiency of the project
This research aims to create a foundation for the MEP industry to understand these aspects more deeply, fostering better decision-making, resource allocation, and project outcomes.
Study Objectives
The objectives of the VDC Time Study are threefold:
- Develop Benchmark Metrics: The study will create reliable benchmarks to assist MEP trades in estimating VDC work. By establishing baseline metrics, contractors can better predict time requirements, set realistic timelines, and allocate resources more effectively.
- Assess Current Practices and Performance: By analyzing time spent on tasks such as modeling, coordination, RFIs, and other work, the study will provide a snapshot of current VDC engineering practices, highlighting opportunities for improvement in productivity and effectiveness.
- Identify Efficient Coordination Strategies: Coordination is key to successful VDC. This study will focus on measuring the value of time spent in collaboration with project stakeholders, pinpointing best practices that optimize systems, minimize rework, and enhance the project’s overall success.
Scope of Work
The University of Washington’s research team, led by Professors Carrie Sturts Dossick and Lingzi Wu, has designed a comprehensive approach to address these objectives:
- Data Collection
- The team will work with MEP contractors to collect sample data on time allocation across VDC tasks, including modeling, coordination, and travel.
- The study will capture variations based on project type, time of year, design complexity, and the leadership role in coordination.
- Analysis and Metrics Development
- Using advanced quantitative analysis, the team will develop metrics to evaluate productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness.
- Insights from the collected data will be analyzed to create benchmarks for estimating and assessing VDC practices in MEP trades.
- Qualitative Interviews
- To gain a deeper understanding of productivity factors and coordination best practices, the research will include interviews with VDC engineers and project stakeholders.
- These discussions will focus on identifying strategies that maximize productive collaboration and minimize inefficiencies.
- Results and Dissemination
- The findings of this study will be published in a detailed report and shared through presentations, enabling contractors to apply the insights in their VDC practices.
What This Means for MEP Contractors
For contractors, this study represents a transformative opportunity to gain data-driven insights into VDC’s role in project success. With the resulting benchmarks and productivity metrics, contractors can:
- Enhance Project Planning: Gain a clearer understanding of the time and resources required for VDC tasks, enabling better project planning and scheduling.
- Improve Coordination and Efficiency: Learn proven coordination practices that optimize workflows, enhance collaboration, and reduce unnecessary rework.
- Drive Competitive Advantage: Implement best practices from the study to streamline VDC processes, ultimately improving profitability and competitiveness in the MEP field.
Get Involved
Are you an MEP contractor interested in participating in this groundbreaking study? By contributing your data, you can be part of a collective effort to advance the industry’s understanding of VDC. Participation not only helps develop benchmarks that can benefit the entire MEP sector but also gives you early access to findings that could improve your own practices.
About the Research Team
This project is led by Dr. Carrie Sturts Dossick, P.E., and Dr. Lingzi Wu, EIT, from the University of Washington’s College of Built Environments. With expertise in VDC and quantitative analysis, the research team brings a wealth of knowledge and innovative approaches to the MEP trades. Supported by a graduate research assistant, they will ensure rigorous data collection, analysis, and dissemination to bring actionable insights to the field.
