Revizto research finds Australia leading in digital delivery

Revizto has published research indicating Australia's architecture, engineering, and construction sector is ahead of global peers in digital project delivery, while concern is rising over data control and AI regulation.

The study surveyed 2,006 industry leaders across major markets, including 300 respondents in Australia, among them 90 chief information officers. It points to a sector that has moved further into digital working practices than many overseas counterparts, while facing tougher questions around governance, implementation, and cost.

Australian firms reported lower average project budget overruns than the global sample, at 9.8 per cent compared with 11.6 per cent. It also found 19 per cent of Australian projects exceeded budgets by only zero to five per cent, versus eight per cent globally.

Model-based workflows were also more established in Australia, with 29 per cent of organisations saying their workflows were mostly or fully model-based, compared with 21.7 per cent globally.

Data pressure

The strongest gap with the global market appeared in attitudes to data ownership and control. The research found 64.4 per cent of Australian organisations were very or extremely concerned about data ownership when choosing technology vendors, compared with 37.8 per cent globally.

The result suggests procurement decisions are being shaped by software features, pricing, control of project information, and how it is managed across complex construction programmes. Australian respondents were also less likely to be undecided on the issue, indicating firmer views on governance than in other markets.

"These findings reflect a shift in priorities as digital collaboration becomes central to project delivery.

"Many organisations across the Australian AEC sector have already embraced digital tools to improve coordination and project outcomes. The challenge now is ensuring those technologies can scale across complex infrastructure and building projects while maintaining control of data, security, and governance. As projects become more collaborative and information-rich, ownership and visibility of project data is critical," said Jason Howden, Chief Innovation Officer, Revizto.

Mott MacDonald's experience on large projects echoed that point.

"The most successful projects I've been involved in have been those where, from day one, everyone has taken the time to fully understand the scope and requirements, the options and approach, and worked together to document not just the decisions but the rationale too. They maintained that continuity of knowledge through delivery. An informed team, from clients to consultants, contractors, and facilities, all on the same page and working together can avoid many issues at source," said Ian Besford, Global Digital Delivery Leader, Mott MacDonald.

AI barrier

The survey found little doubt in Australia about whether artificial intelligence has practical use in construction. Only four per cent of Australian respondents said AI lacked a clear use case, compared with 11 per cent globally.

Even so, regulation is proving a bigger obstacle in Australia than elsewhere. Some 32 per cent of respondents said regulatory concerns were the main barrier preventing their organisation from gaining value from AI, compared with a global average of 24 per cent. That was the highest share of any country in the survey.

"The question is no longer whether AI can deliver value. Australia's AEC industry is grappling with how to deploy it responsibly and meet tightening governance and regulation requirements. The focus is on making sure teams retain control of their data and decision-making processes while still benefiting from the productivity gains AI can deliver," added Howden.

Cost squeeze

Technology spending is also under pressure. The research found 72.2 per cent of Australian firms had felt the impact of faster software and cloud licensing cost increases over the past year, compared with 65.8 per cent globally.

That financial pressure sits alongside another practical barrier: time. While 46 per cent of Australian organisations said they were prioritising automation, and the same proportion said they were investing in upskilling and training, 39 per cent said lack of time was the biggest barrier to adopting new technology. That was also the highest result of any country in the survey.

The findings point to a market where digital tools are already common, but project teams are under strain as they try to introduce further changes while keeping delivery on track. The mix of stronger digital maturity and tighter operational pressure may help explain why governance, staffing, and implementation have become more prominent concerns.

Revizto said its platform is used by construction and engineering groups including Arcadis, Laing O'Rourke, BILT, Stantec, and John Holland on Australian projects including Snowy 2.0 and Sydney's Atlassian Tower.

"The findings highlight an Australian AEC sector that is moving beyond early digital adoption and into a new phase focused on governance, interoperability, and scalable collaboration.

"As the Australian AEC industry continues to digitise, the ability to manage project data, coordinate decisions, and maintain transparency across multiple stakeholders is becoming increasingly important. Organisations that can balance innovation with strong governance will be best positioned to deliver the complex infrastructure and building projects shaping Australia's future," added Howden.