Build Digital partnered with Construction Cluster Ireland (CCI) to present their Annual Conference “Accelerating Infrastructure Delivery Through Digital Adoption” on October 9th 2025, in Galway. 

The importance of digital adoption in enhancing the delivery of infrastructure was the key focus at this year's Build Digital annual conference. Speakers from industry and academia within the construction and built environment sectors in Ireland presented their insights on digital workflows and processes and their role in powering infrastructure delivery in Ireland.  

The key message from this conference: Digitalisation should not be delayed. Digitalisation has the potential to facilitate the delivery of the all-important projects for infrastructure in Ireland. Aside from the productivity benefits, a key driver for digital adoption is the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) BIM (Building Information Modelling) requirements, also known as the Irish BIM Mandate. The consensus from the conference: attaining efficient and effective information management is a complex but critical undertaking, requiring time and resource investment from the top down in organisations. Build Digital is providing supports to enable smoother and faster compliance with the Irish BIM Mandate. 

Leadership and collaboration are critically important when driving the adoption of digital processes and workflows. Digitalisation has the power to improve accuracy, increase productivity, and support increased competitiveness for construction and built environment projects both nationally and internationally. Other benefits of digitalisation include an accurate definition of project information, such as cost control, sustainability measures and delivery time. Digitalisation is much more than buying software and implementing 3D modelling; it’s a smarter way of working that will improve and streamline knowledge sharing. 

Minister of State for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment Emer Higgins opened the conference by addressing the importance of adopting digital practices and workflows. 

“We all know the scale of the challenge before us. Ireland’s population is growing, our economy is expanding, and our communities urgently need new housing, transport, and social infrastructure. Meeting that demand requires us to build more, and to do so more efficiently, sustainably, and transparently. That is not an easy task — but it is precisely where digitalisation comes in. The theme of ‘Accelerating Development through Digital Adoption’ is particularly relevant to the work of my department, and to government as a whole, where increased investment and faster delivery of infrastructure remain a key priority.” 

The day began with a focus on delivering the National Development Plan (NDP) throughout the Atlantic Economic Corridor. Pressures such as population growth and a lack of skilled workers have resulted in an urgent need for investment and efficient development within communities in the west of Ireland. Speakers noted that in order to realise the ambitions of Project Ireland 2040, leadership and collaboration must be leveraged as they are critical enablers. A compelling panel discussion followed, where the importance of information management roles and senior member buy-in was highlighted. Emphasis was placed on collaboration with academia and local authorities for the supply chain. The west of Ireland was highlighted as an example of the opportunity that exists outside of Dublin. 

Conference attendees were presented with insights from members of Build Digital’s three public client task groups. The task groups cover areas such as national infrastructure, local infrastructure, and housing and each group presented their current areas of focus, regional context and future plans. Challenges varied for each, but the importance of information sharing, collaboration and fostering a culture of openness between departments and faculties was highlighted by each. 

The conference concluded with presentations from Build Digital’s partners from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) ATU, MTU, SETU, TU Dublin and UCD. A showcase of the deliverables from the three Build Digital Hubs, Digi Adopt, Digi Implement and Digi Innovate was followed by a panel discussion with Build Digital Operation and Communication Lead, Mary Ryan. 

Learn more about Build Digital and access digitalisation supports on the Build Digital website: Build Digital Exchange.  

Have your say on the Construction and Built Environment Industries in Ireland, take part in the Build Digital Survey 2025: https://www.builddigitalproject.ie/2025-annual-survey