Incubator initiatives help us get our jobs done
more efficiently and consistently. They help us
keep ahead of the technology curve so we can let
our clients know if there’s an emerging technology
that they might benefit from. The Incubator has
also hatched new internal programs for hiring,
onboarding and mentoring new employees. The
process for approval of an Incubator idea is very
similar to a venture capital type shark tank where
the best ideas get chosen and then employees are
challenged to come up with a way to develop the
idea. The concepts focus on the technical side of
our business, but also the operations side, giving
our technical employees the opportunity to gain
exposure to concepts of business that may not
typically see until later in their careers. So the
incubator doesn’t just develop ideas, it develops our
employees. It sharpens their abilities and gives them
new skills that help them in their careers and make
them better project managers and team members.
It gives them new opportunities, more avenues for
growth, and gives them a different mind-set on how
they approach project delivery.
What is a notable project in which an Incubator
idea directly benefited the client?
JDM: The San Diego State Central Chiller Plant
Upgrade was one of the first projects where an
Incubator idea really contributed time and cost
savings for the client. As we started to work on the
project, we realized that there were multiple sets
of as-built drawings documenting renovations and
expansions from different decades and completely
different contractors. We decided that instead
of generating a baseline drawing from the two-
dimensional as-builts, that we could use our 3D
laser scanning services to help capture real-time
conditions of the current installation. The 3D laser
scanner is a high-powered camera that captures
images and ultimately converts these into our BIM
model in Revit. The process helped ensure we started
with a good foundation to help minimize RFIs and
change orders. In addition, this up-front effort
allowed us to focus on the more technical aspects of
the project in lieu of spending time generating a BIM
model from the original as-builts. 3D laser scanning
has become a standard for us on infrastructure
projects.
You mentioned you were the lead for Internet of
Things Device Security initiative. Tell us about this
project.
JDM: This is also something that when it launches,
will also directly benefit clients on projects. The
Internet of Things (IoT) is this rapidly expanding
interconnectedness of devices and systems to each
other and to networks via the internet. There are
many positive aspects with being able to connect
more devices to gather data and control systems,
but it leads to similar types of security vulnerabilities
that we’ve been seeing for a while in traditional
internet connected devices like desktops and
mobile. Our job is to develop P2S best practices to
secure these IoT devices and connected systems. As
technology continues to evolve, we are seeing more
systems being placed on the client’s network. These
include HVAC controls, building automation systems,
power systems, lighting systems, and building
security systems, among others. What we’re doing
is coming up with protocols to educate our clients
and provide solutions that improve the security of
these integrated and connected systems. Things
we’re looking at are which manufacturers offer the
most secure products, what security protocols and
procedures are most effective at improving network
security, and what actions do human operators and
integrators need to take to keep security as high as
possible.
What else are you excited about that’s coming
through the incubator pipeline?
JDM: There’s an initiative to take our laser scanning
services to the next level with upgraded field
capture equipment, new software for improved
BIM coordination, and 3D photography that would
upgrade our current capabilities. We’re also working
on more standardization, developing companywide
construction administration guidelines.
What do you see for the future of the Incubator?
JDM: The Incubator model has evolved from when
it first began but it’s always been a volunteer
organization. The company supports the work the
Incubator does but it’s the members who are taking
the time to develop their ideas and present them
to the Incubator teams. These volunteers have put
in the effort to not only challenge the status-quo
internally at P2S, but also the greater AEC industry.
Incubator members will continue to innovate and
find ways to improve existing ways of doing things.
Members will continue to think and behave as
leaders and develop great ideas. We’re trying to
make the Incubator accessible to more staff with a
new call for volunteers and I think that we’ll continue
to grow this program while providing opportunities
for our employees.
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