WestConnex and Worksharing

Ed Wilson took the time to present Aurecon’s experiences with 12d Synergy at the 12d International Conference in Brisbane.  Ed gave an overview of the WestConnex project, and detailed how 12d Synergy was used as a worksharing solution to allow collaboration between joint venture parties in a multinational, distributed environment.

Watch: WestConnex and Worksharing – 12d International Conference 2016

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The Challenge

Aurecon faced a busy 2016 with a range of projects in the pipeline which included the Airport East Precinct and WestConnex projects.  With so much work on the horizon and large projects beginning they recognised a need for an effective worksharing and data management solution.

Aurecon-Jacobs WestConnex joint venture were given the responsibilities for the design of the roads, tunnels, and all other civil elements for stage 2 of the WestConnex project.  Leighton and International partners Dragados and Samsung were the lead contractors.

Snapshot of Westconnex stage 2:

• 9km of new motorway tunnels.
• Widening and realignment of the existing M5 at King George’s Road.
• Large interchange at St Peters.
• 14km of shared pedestrian and bike paths.
• Connections to other and future projects.

In their Sydney Transport business Aurecon contain a team of 9 road designers, 5 surveyors, 6 water engineers and 3 civil designers.  They also collaborate with other offices around the world namely Newcastle and Brisbane but also Thailand, Vietnam and South Africa.

The structure for a project like this is for the busy offices to provide support to the quieter design centers with shared work.  To achieve this the project needed to adopt a worksharing solution.  Aurecon decided to trial 12d Synergy as it offered a compelling alternative to other packages in the marketplace which weren’t meeting their needs..

Collaboration Made Easy

The Aurecon-Jacobs 12d team is pretty well dispersed.  Most of the team is based in the Mascot design office near Sydney Airport.  They are also completing work in a number of other locations stretching from Hobart in the south, to Bangkok in the North.  Other locations include Neutral Bay, St Leonards, South Brisbane and Melbourne.

Aurecon-Jacobs found that after the initial adoption phase that their users liked the system.  Adoption of new softwares and procedures can often be received quite negatively.  Ed was quick to point out that he has received plenty of positive feedback.  Training users is very straight forward.  Due to the simplicity of 12d Synergy Ed can send an email with a memo describing how to use 12d Synergy, it’s functions and its benefits.  12d Synergy also offers all users a range of free training content such as videos and webinars.

Creating Flexibility

One of the biggest driving forces behind Aurecon adopting the system was flexibility.  They needed the ability to share and balance workloads across the organisation.  Compared to the long commutes and Fly-in Fly-out system, working with synergy allows their employees to meet work commitments and avoid a interrupted lifestyle.

“Plenty of users on the WestConnex have reported that they’re really happy to have avoided long commutes and wasted times in airports, hotels and taxis.” – Ed Wilson

Aurecon’s team have been able to avail themselves to the flexibilities which other industries have been able to do for quite some time. Employees in remote places such as Far North Queensland and New Zealand can join in on projects, this may not have been possible before implementing 12d Synergy.  12d Synergy has made Aurecon and their 12d staff more sustainable, which is a win-win for all parties involved.  12d Synergy’s ability to provide flexible working conditions will also allow Aurecon to leverage the as an employer of choice.