Architecture & Engineering Firms Optimistic That Technology Can Drive Profitability and Growth in Times of Uncertainty, Research from Deltek Reveals

Deltek’s Digital Trends Unwrapped: Tech Powering Architecture and Engineering (A&E) Project Success in 2024 report reveals that 40% of A&E firms believe that investing in new technologies is key to profitability in 2024 As one in five firms don’t have a clearly defined strategy for achieving growth, technology adoption ambitions lead the way for the next twelve monthsNine in 10 firms believe that if they fail to make significant progress on their digital transformation journey, they will lose market share

LONDON, Dec. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — A new report from Deltek, the leading global provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses, has uncovered that while almost a fifth (18%) of architecture and engineering (A&E) firms do not have a clearly defined strategy for achieving steady growth, digital transformation will help unlock growth and profitability in 2024.

The report, Deltek’s Digital Trends Unwrapped: Tech Powering Architecture and Engineering Project Success in 2024, finds that 40% of A&E businesses believe that the key to building long term resilience in this fast-moving macro-economic environment is investing in new technologies – with IT infrastructure investment the biggest growth opportunity for engineering firms (44%). Currently, 42% of engineering and 33% of architecture firms describe themselves at an ‘advanced’ or ‘mature’ phase of their digital transformation journey. Where firms aren’t in this phase, there is still an ambition to implement digital transformation. Almost one in four (38%) of A&E firms state that they’re in an exploratory phase of their journey.

The report reveals that firms understand the importance of digital transformation on their bottom line. Post-Covid, there has been a global economic downturn, but the majority of firms (92%) believe that if they make significant progress in their digital transformation, they will not lose out on market share. However, despite a strong appetite towards using digital transformation to rejuvenate the market, firms are realistic about timelines.

Technology can significantly aid growth and profitability by helping firms understand their businesses better and make informed decisions based on real-time insights. One area likely to be prioritized is using technology in how KPIs are tracked and measured. Currently, confidence is low in this area, with over a quarter (26%) of A&E firms saying they track operating profit ‘badly’, while 18% say the same for tracking project profitability. Through better visibility provided by technology, these metrics can be more easily tracked and KPIs adjusted to ensure projects stay on track and remain profitable.

Neil Davidson, Group Vice President, Professional Services Sector at Deltek, said: “It’s reassuring that so many firms connect that digital transformation is intrinsically linked to long term resilience. With the right investment strategies, firms can make the most of limited resources while still driving their business forward in a way that aligns with a long-term strategy. Digital transformation, including AI adoption, does not happen overnight. Implementing the right technology tools, proven in the industry, will secure the insights and streamlined processes, invaluable to growth in the architecture and engineering industries.”

The report also revealed new priorities for firms. Nearly sixty percent (58%) of A&E firms surveyed believe that social responsibility should be at least equally important to their company as its profits are, while one in four (25%) said that, compared to the start of 2022, their firms are placing significantly more importance on Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) issues.

Download the full report here.

Methodology
Deltek surveyed 329 decision-makers from architecture and engineering firms with 25 or more employees about opportunities and challenges, technology trends, monitoring of key performance indicators, corporate strategies and governance and business development. The self-completion online survey was completed between February and March 2023 by senior decision makers such as CEOs, C-suite, and heads of department such as Finance, Operations, Delivery or Projects. Digital Trends Unwrapped: Tech Powering Architecture and Engineering Project Success in 2024 focusses on the responses of the 111 A&E firms identifying themselves as based within the UK or Ireland.

About Deltek
Better software means better projects. Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for project-based businesses. More than 30,000 organizations and millions of users in over 80 countries around the world rely on Deltek for superior levels of project intelligence, management, and collaboration. Our industry-focused expertise powers project success by helping firms achieve performance that maximizes productivity and revenue. www.deltek.com

Deltek Contact:
Deltek Media Relations Team
[email protected]

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