Breaking Down Barriers to Innovation: Insights from Our Roundtable 

On February 26th, industry leaders in architecture, engineering, and construction came together at PRP's offices for an exclusive roundtable event hosted by Rapport3 and Innovia Partnership. The event provided a unique platform for built environment professionals to discuss the challenges and opportunities surrounding digital transformation in the AEC industry. 

With a room full of architects, engineers, project managers, and technology leaders, the conversation centred on overcoming resistance to change, effectively integrating digital tools and fostering a culture of innovation. 

A Gathering of Industry Experts 

The event featured insightful discussions and first-hand case studies from leading AEC firms, including: 

PRP:  Nick Dunn (Technology Director) and Bhupinder Singh Chawla (Director) explored the evolving role of technology in architectural practice.

David Chipperfield Architects:  Iain Godwin (IT and Management Consultant, Godwin Consulting) shared strategies for streamlining collaboration and workflows with digital tools. 

Civic Engineers:  Andrew Ruck (Director) discussed how engineering firms can use digital solutions to improve project efficiency. 

The event was hosted at PRP's offices, a long-standing Rapport3 client, making it the perfect setting to demonstrate the real-world application of digital project management tools in architecture and engineering firms. 

Key Takeaways: The Biggest Barriers to Digital Transformation in the AEC Industry 

Through open discussions and real-world case studies, several common industry-wide challenges emerged: 

1. Digital Transformation Requires More Than Just New Tools

Many firms hesitate to adopt new software or systems due to cultural resistance, training gaps, and concerns about disruption. 

Solution: The people in the room shared their approaches to implementing new software in their firms. Although each firm has its best practices, all agreed that a step-by-step approach, starting with small, tangible wins, can build team momentum, and buy-in is best. Leadership needs to champion digital adoption while ensuring the proper support is in place. PRP shared how they got very good at process mapping as it became clear that it was a good catalyst for improving workflows like invoicing. 

2. Breaking Down Data Silos is Essential for Collaboration

AEC firms often use multiple, disconnected systems to manage projects, finances, and resources. This leads to inefficiencies, miscommunication, and a lack of real-time project visibility. 

Solution: Prospects in the room highlighted how they currently deal with data in various locations and how efficiency is affected. Clients encouraged them that better days are coming by implementing Rapport3! Rapport3 eliminates silos by integrating resource planning, financial tracking, and project updates in one platform, ensuring seamless collaboration. PRP shared that Rapport3's integration with AccountsIQ, OpenAsset, and  products was a significant factor in their decision to choose Rapport3.

3. Balancing Creativity with Structured Workflows

Architects and engineers thrive on innovation and creative problem-solving, but structured workflows are necessary for projects to run efficiently. 

Solution: Digital platforms should enhance creativity by automating admin-heavy tasks, providing real-time insights, and allowing workflow flexibility.

4. Future-Proofing Through Scalability & Agility

As firms grow, new hires, project complexity, and changing client demands challenge scalability. 

Solution: Civic Engineers has seen its firm grow twofold since adopting Rapport3 in 2020. Andrew's presentation highlighted the need for a great project management system to support growth. AEC firms need scalable solutions that evolve with their business. Cloud-based platforms like Rapport3 ensure firms can adapt, integrate with new technologies, and optimise resources without outgrowing their systems. 

5. Digital Transformation is as Much About Culture as It Is About Technology

Implementing new digital tools is only half the battle; real transformation happens when firms embrace a cultural shift. Many AEC companies face internal resistance to change due to long-established workflows, lack of training, or fear of disruption. Without a workplace culture that values adaptability, collaboration, and continuous learning, even the best technology can fail to deliver results. 

Solution: PRP's case study highlighted the importance of a culture shift in transforming successfully as they saw a change in management drove major positive change. Successful firms focus on leadership-driven change, ensuring that digital adoption is supported from the top down. Investing in ongoing training, engaging employees in decision-making, and aligning technology with familiar workflows makes transformation smoother. Encouraging teams to experiment with new processes and gradually integrate digital tools fosters a culture where innovation is a continuous process, not a one-time overhaul. Rapport3 set up a sandbox at the start of the deployment project so PRP's core team could test the software without worrying about breaking anything. 

How Rapport3 Supports Digital Innovation in AEC Firms 

As a specialist project management platform for architects, engineers, and project managers, Rapport3 directly addresses the challenges discussed at the roundtable by providing: 

Centralised Project Management – Eliminate inefficiencies and bring all project data into one platform. 

Seamless Collaboration – Keep teams aligned with real-time project updates, financial tracking, and task management. 

Data-Driven Insights – Use advanced reporting tools to track project performance and make informed decisions. 

Scalable Solutions – Whether a firm is small or growing, Rapport3 adapts to its needs, ensuring seamless integration with BIM, finance, and other critical systems. 

As PRP, Civic Engineers, and David Chipperfield Architects demonstrated, adopting the right digital tools isn't just about efficiency—it's about future-proofing operations and staying competitive in an evolving industry. 

Event Highlights & Looking Ahead 



This event was a fantastic opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights from industry peers. The conversations sparked during this session will continue as firms look to push past barriers and embrace digital innovation. We plan to do more events like these with clients, prospects, partners, and guests, so stay tuned! 

Want to learn how Rapport3 can support your firm's digital transformation?
Contact us today to schedule a demo.