Digital Collaboration Network: Providing a structured forum for collaboration, shared learning, and practical support

The CIF’s Construction 4.0 Committee established a Digital Collaboration Network to support members in the implementation of digital processes within their businesses.

The Network brought together members at varying stages of digital maturity, from those beginning their digital journey to those seeking to progress to the next stage of adoption, and provided a structured forum for collaboration, shared learning, and practical support.

Denise Tuffy, Director of Specialist Contracting with the CIF, said: “It’s been set up to help the industry digitalise. So, we’ll have larger companies helping the supply chain, smaller companies telling smaller companies how they went about digitalisation, and medium companies, for example, explaining how they went about certification.”

A driver for the establishment of the Network was the introduction of the BIM mandate for Public Works, which is continuing to cascade down through the industry and will apply to projects over €5 million from January 2027. Members who wish to compete for public works contracts are encouraged to prepare, where applicable to their business, to ensure readiness for compliance with this requirement.

Implementing digitalisation: Practical guidance and supports

The Network launched with two regional events: the first took place in Galway on 13th May at the Radisson Red; while the second took place in Cork on 18th June at the Radisson Blu.

Both events provided practical, actionable guidance and an open forum where members gained clarity on the challenges associated with adopting digital processes.

The programme focused on:

Funding opportunities available to contractors undertaking digitalisation
Practical insights into implementing digital tools and workflows within construction businesses
Peer-to-peer learning, drawing on real experiences from companies that have successfully addressed digital adoption challenges

Dan Gorman, Construction Engagement Consultant with GS1 Ireland, said: “The most important thing is, construction companies are only the end of the process. We have to get the clients thinking about digitisation and provide the time to the design teams to design using, be it BIM to ISO 19650 in a way that actually, BIM is used by every player or every actor in the whole construction sphere.”

The Do’s and Don’ts of Digital Adoption

Both events had a panel discussion on ‘The Do’s and Don’ts of Digital Adoption’.

The panel brought together industry experts for a practical and open discussion on digital adoption across construction companies of all sizes. The session explored common challenges, recurring pitfalls, and effective solutions, drawing on real-world experience and lessons learned.

The discussion aimed to reassure participants that many of the challenges encountered are shared across the sector, and to provide practical guidance on how these can be addressed in a structured and achievable way.

Sarah Murphy, Pre-contract and Design Manager with Carey Building Contractors, said: “I think the important goal is to make sure that everybody in the industry understands what it is that’s happening and importantly, learn the things we need to know and the things that we don’t need to know and try and make it as simple as possible for everybody.”