Rework hasn't stopped. Coordination is why.

Change orders top the list of rework drivers, but poor communication and coordination has climbed to #3. The biggest threats to your budget are in the workflow.

Tech costs are rising. Is value keeping pace?

Nearly half of respondents report software and cloud licensing costs up by as much as 10% in the last year. In an industry with razor-thin margins, paying more for tools that don't deliver measurable value isn't sustainable.

Firms have found a better answer to the skills gap.

Firms are simplifying tools, upskilling existing staff, and turning to automation. The industry has accepted that productivity gains will come from better systems, not more headcount.

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“This year’s survey makes one thing clear: integration, coordination and digital capability are inseparable. Technology integration remains the top challenge, rework is increasingly driven by workflow failures, and for architecture firms the number one barrier to gaining value from AI is limited digital skills.”

Allister Lewis

Founder and CEO, Automated Data Driven Design (ADDD)

“Shifting people's mindset is often the most challenging part of implementing new technology, which may explain why so many companies are reluctant to adopt tools that could genuinely streamline and improve project management.”

Francesca Lofiego

Digital Lead, Structure Tone (STO)

“Technology integration often gets blamed, but in my experience the real challenge is people integration. Rework, budget overruns, and coordination failures usually come down to alignment between designers, trades, and owners. When those groups collaborate early through approaches like design-assist or design-build, the technology works, the budget reflects the value, and projects move forward with far less friction.”