About

GodwinConsulting.Net delivers leading-edge management and IT solutions into architectural and engineering design practices and construction industry businesses. Owner and MD Iain Godwin has 30 years’ experience in helping design businesses maximise their current technology, whilst offering a unique perspective into companies’ future technology investment needs, on network and server infrastructures, financial and information management systems, desktop design and documentation tools. GodwinConsulting.Net will help to ensure that the investment you have made in people, processes and systems continues to be optimised for your practice.   Personal Background Iain Godwin is a leading management and IT consultant who specialises in working with architect-led design consultancies and construction industry businesses. Iain graduated as a Town Planner, before working on a wide variety of multi-disciplinary design projects for Building Design Partnership (BDP), ultimately becoming Group Head of IT. He joined Foster + Partners in 1995 overseeing a major expansion of the practice and its IT capabilities, including the establishment of...

Clients

Clients include: Astudio | BDP | BFLS | BVN Donovan Hill | Chetwoods | Fred Pilbrow and Partners | Glenn Howell Architects | Ian Simpson Architects | John McAslan and Partners | KPF | LEE-P | Make Architects | Rafael Vinoly Architects | Robin Partington and Partners | Roger's Stirk Harbour and Partners | Sto | Sto Werkstatt | Zaha Hadid Architects   GodwinConsulting.Net has carried out a number of exercises for design and construction based consultancies and manufacturers, a few examples of which are included in the Client Projects section....

RSHP – IT Strategy Role

GCN is employed by Roger's Stirk Harbour and Partners (formerly Richard Rogers Partnership) as a strategic IT advisor. GCN has worked with the practice for over seven years to develop strategies for:- The deployment of Information management systems for potentials tracking, project databases and contact management, business information management system and an archiving system for physical and digital entities. The deployment of a project information management system. The selection and employment of a Project Technology Manager to support an increasing take up of building information modelling techniques. The employment of an Information Systems co-ordinator to support the refresh of the practice intranet and its information processes. Support of the IT Manager and support team in the development of effective business continuity planning and implementation.   RSHP employ approximately 200 people in London, Shanghai and Sydney....

Strategy

Designers are at the heart of any design practice but how can you ensure that your design team is getting the most from your investment in infrastructure and technology? How do you ensure your information technology is being optimally managed and supported to achieve the maximum benefit for your design team and their support staff? Is it possible to align an effective IT strategy with your key business goals to support your wider business ambitions? Architects, designers and engineers demand a high standard of core IT infrastructure to support exacting project briefs. To what extent can investment decisions on workstation and application platforms, server and network infrastructure and storage solutions positively and significantly affect the productivity of your project team?   GodwinConsulting.Net can deliver strategic solutions in response to these and many other business challenges: GCN can design, advise and help organise your IT and support structure to meet your team’s needs; Where appropriate GCN can assist in the recruitment of key individuals to transform how your...

STO – International Project Portal

Sto SE & Co. KGaA the German facade and building products manufacturer based in the Black Forest, employ GCN to provide a perspective on international project engagement with architects and design consultants. Sto has a global network of subsidiaries. GCN has provided advice on how to provide for the needs of designers on transnational cross border projects through the development of collaborative approaches to knowledge management and project tracking. GCN has been involved in; the development of 'The Werkstatt' a London event centre, the redevelopment of the Sto.com international portal, collaboration with market development and marketing teams, master data management including business fields responsible for systems and products and BIM strategy, HR, and IT teams covering CRM, Product Management, ERP and HR systems with SAP as well as web development and collaboration systems.   www.sto.com werkstatt.sto.com...

Project Technology

Project technology comprises all aspects of the use of computer systems in the design, documentation, building and operational phases of projects in the architecture, engineering and construction industry. It is becoming a huge challenge for designers and construction professionals to deliver projects successfully whilst having to manage a bewildering array of ever-changing technologies; The introduction of new working methods utilising intelligent production systems such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) platforms like Revit, Archicad and Bentley AECosim require fresh ways of thinking and working; BIM is not just a new software platform, it will become a completely new way of working for design practices and their interactions and collaborations with other members of the design team. It is a substantial change management challenge for all elements of a business; The problem is compounded by the fact that BIM provides just one new albeit substantial element for the design and documentation of building construction. There are many new software applications and methodologies playing a part in...

Zaha Hadid Architects – Information Management Review

GCN was employed by the IT Management and strategy group within the practice to work alongside the internal team during the identification, selection and development of new information technology initiatives. New IT personnel were identified and information infrastructure systems selected and implemented. GCN worked with the practice in the renewal of their IT infrastructures, identification of systems for intranet deployment, HR, archives, and business systems. GCN was employed by ZHA in support of the implementation of information management strategies in the practice. ZHA employs approximately 450 people with offices in London, Hamburg, Rome, Beijing and Guangzhou....

Information Management

  Organisations involved in design, engineering and construction tend to be information rich yet knowledge poor. Information is useful, of course, but it needs to be harvested for effective re-use. It is critical therefore that your investment in information management systems be correctly set within the context of your practice’s business priorities. It is realistic to expect that your information systems support the development of new business opportunities and the efficient execution and monitoring of projects throughout their life-cycles. However information management is increasingly complex and you need the right expertise to ensure optimal support across your organisation. The graphic on this page demonstrates the many interfaces of information systems which could be at work in any design organisation today. It looks daunting but GCN can help your designers and support staff review the effectiveness of the deployment of your current systems and fine tune this to suggest improvements to ensure your practice is...

BVN – IT Audit, Infrastructure, Governance and Information Management Review

Credits: Images Courtesy of BVN, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne - Australia ABS Bank, North Wharf, Auckland, New Zealand Winner - 2014 New Zealand Architecture Medal - Categories: Commercial, Interior Architecture, Sustainability GCN were approached by BVN to review the 'state of play' of IT in the practice after the departure of the incumbent IT Director. Following a report and presentation to the principals group GCN made a number of recommendations which were implemented including the need to restructure the existing IT team which is split across the Sydney and Brisbane offices. Further areas for investment were recognised by the practice and an IT strategy was developed in conjunction with GCN which is now in the process of being implemented. Areas identified for investment included the core server and network infrastructure, a project information management environment, ERP systems and the provision of a healthy and active and well-connected intranet....

Robin Partington and Partners – Practice Inception and Development

Merchant Square Masterplan. Image Credit: Miller Hare GCN were asked to be involved from the inception of the practice to help deliver the technologies required to support a rapidly growing and dynamic new business. GCN helped to support the decision making process for IT procurement, software selection and managed service provision. GCN has continued to work with the practice to support practice management and the development and renewal of IT infrastructures, technology deployment and methodologies and external IT support provision over the last 5 years.   ...

Solution Providers

Project Information Management Acconex | Causeway Systems | Newforma | QA Software Teambinder | Union Square   Practice Portals Knowledge Architecture | Waterston’s (Sharepoint)    Image and Archive Management Adlib | Axomic – OpenAsset | J-Media | Celum    Business Information Systems / ERP Agresso | BST Global | CACI | Deltek | J-Media | ProjectMinder | SAP | SAGE | Union Square   Collaboration Tools Autodesk Enterprise Vault | Bentley Projectwise | Newforma Project Cloud | Woobius   Project Technology Autodesk | Archicad | Bentley Systems | CATIA | Gehry Technologies | Rhino    Managed Services Advanced 365 | ITLabs | ITConsult (Australia) | J-Media | Modern Networks | Waterston’s    Web Design Rule Creative...

John McAslan and Partners – IT Review, Infrastructure Renewal and Governance Refresh

GCN were employed by JMP to carry out an initial audit of their IT infrastructure, IT governance and their managed service provider. Following consultation with the management and board of the practice, GCN were instrumental in the appointment of an IT Manager and a Project Technology leader. GCN also co-ordinated a tendering process for the appointment of a new managed service provider and provides regular support to the Managing Director and in house IT and Project Technology support leaders....

Twitter

Tweets by @IainGodwin // ...

BDP – IT Strategy & Project Information Management Reviews

GCN was employed by BDP’s Chief Executive to carry out a detailed review of the practices IT strategy. GCN carried out research which included a series of interviews with staff from across the ten UK offices of this multi-disciplinary design practice. The areas of investigation included IT infrastructure and governance, outsourcing, project technology and project information management.  Various workshops were held with business, profession and project leaders to develop technology roadmaps and governance structures which are helping to move the practices application of technology forward. BDP has offices across Europe, Middle East and Asia. GCN have also been employed to review BDP’s project information management strategy a study which was concluded in early 2011....

Images

I enjoy the ability to capture life in all its forms from the smallest insect living in the micro world of our back garden in London to the grand landscapes of South West America. In this section I’ll be publishing some examples. There may be some people out there who might actually enjoy them  and maybe even want a copy or two. The project images on the site have all been taken by me. I am currently updating my portfolio of images and so will post them in this section very soon. Iain Godwin  ...

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