What is #AEC about?

Is the #AEC industry Architecting, Engineering and Constructing, or are we manipulating information resulting in physical entities with optimal functional and emotional impact, while we optimize energy and material efficiency for a long life-span across a larger scope?

The question is interesting, because depending on the answer, different structures? need to be prioritized, because end-games are different. So, play along: Assume, for the duration of this post, ?that the purpose of the entire #AEC industry is to provide physical entities with optimal functional, energy and material efficiency during a very long lifespan. What might that entail?

The assumption will challenge an entire industry:

• P&L&risk models will have to change, putting a premium on different objectives across the entire value chain. There is quite a difference between "do something to optimize your organization's profit and loss", to "do something to achieve an objective that optimizes for an objective, that today's P&L&risk models may counteract. Did I hear "shareholder value"?
• Information sharing across the value chain will have to change, and it needs to become bidirectional. This in its turn will need renewed contractual models. For example, if revenue streams achieved in the operation of some physical entity shall benefit someone earlier in the #AEC value stream, shared information is a prerequisite. Architects need to know materials available to construction firms in some future state, and construction firms need to know about anticipated future needs from architects.
• Education will have to change. Today I got a call from one of our engineers; “Lars, we find that we are much more effective and efficient, because we program”. And, programming is ultimately about manipulating information to achieve some effect. Having worked with generations of software engineers, I know that one have to address the needs of the single engineer, the team, the set of teams - and the larger organizations. How much of this is taught by #AEC educators?
• The digital foundation of players will have to change, making the assumption of that any player is party of a larger ecosystem. This, in its turn, affects the operating model of just about any player.

Disclaimer: These are my personal thoughts. I share this reflection, because I believe that if the context changes, so changes objectives. And if objectives change, should we not think about consequences early, so that we can play where the game might be? Challenge me back, so that I can be a stronger contributor to a better world.