Billions of dollars of infrastructure projects around Australia are still being delivered with paper plans and PDFs. Everyone knows our industry must change. We can all see the consequences of being slow off the digital mark: decades of sluggish productivity and lost data insights that could help us make better decisions.

Two years ago, Infrastructure Australia recommended a “digital by default” approach to infrastructure planning, delivery and operations. Underpinning this recommendation was three measures of progress within 15 years: digital twins for a federally funded projects, a national digital infrastructure roadmap and digital asset champions on all projects over $50 million.

But rolling out these measures over a 15-year horizon will mean another generation of missed opportunities. We simply can’t wait that long.

Businesses are waiting for governments to set the standard. Governments are waiting for market forces to determine the pathway forward. We need everyone to come together – and this is why Consult Australia is developing a ‘digital by default’ roadmap.

We have been engaged in deep and broad conversations across the industry and have captured the insights in a green paper which was released in early June.

The green paper is not another conversation piece, but a clear plan for action that starts with a new Office for Digital by Default in Infrastructure. Roundtables around the country will confirm the consensus view and set the direction for national leadership, before we launch a white paper with the final plan at the end of the year.

Digital by default can help us boost productivity, accelerate innovation and catalyse a range of co-benefits like net zero emissions reduction. Most of all, harnessing digital technology will help us build a better future for humans.

Consult Australia’s most recent survey of 21,000 professionals found businesses expect to invest in digital engineering and building information modelling, data analytics and cybersecurity skills. But they also told us they will need distinctly human skills – strategic thinking, creativity, socio-emotional intelligence and leadership. 

So, our work continues to balance the digital and the human. We are proud to be hosting a Champions of Change industry luncheon with Elizabeth Broderick AO and Gabrielle Trainor AO at the end of August. This event will provide an opportunity for our industry to reflect on the findings of the 2022 Everyday Respect report, challenge our industry’s leaders to consider the human cost of exclusion and suggest ways to cultivate inclusive workplaces with a positive duty of care.

We also looking for new ways to strengthen our support for mentally healthy workplaces, because we know this is a challenge for 40% of our members. Our Mental Health Knowledge Hub is deliberately not behind a paywall or in a member-only section because the success and sustainability of our industry ecosystem depends on the health and wellbeing of everyone.

This month’s Consulting Matters also showcases Umwelt which recently took out the Medium Firm of the Year at the Consult Australia Awards. Umwelt’s #MeDay gives every team member an extra 12 days of leave each year – and that’s just one of several standout initiatives designed to put people first. If you have any stories to share, send them our way to news@consultaustralia.com.au. 

As we walk together towards a ‘digital by default’ future, we must always put humans first, because people are at the heart of every consulting business.