The Future of AECO
A New Era of Intelligence
and Collaboration
The future of AECO is here. Explore Autodesk Forma and learn how ATG helps your firm transition from files to connected data.
The AECO industry is standing at an inflection point.
Driven by rapid advancements in AI, cloud technology, and data, the traditional approach to urbanization, climate pressures, and client demands is transforming faster than you may realize.
The launch of the Autodesk Forma Industry Cloud maps a clear path forward: a world where architects, engineers, and contractors can deliver faster, smarter, and more sustainably.
In this blog, we’ll peek into the future of AECO, the technologies leading the charge, and how they help prepare for the next era of intelligence and collaboration.
The Foundation: Connected Data and the Full Lifecycle
For decades, the industry has advanced in stages: paper to CAD, CAD to BIM, BIM to cloud. Today, we’re entering the next era of change where data is granular, collaboration is seamless, and AI is embedded into every decision.
The most critical change is the shift from isolated files to connected, continuous data. Forma is the first platform to span the entire project lifecycle: Planning, Design, Construction, and Operations. This vision is powered by Forma Data Management (formerly Autodesk Docs), establishing a unified Common Data Environment (CDE) that ensures every team is working from a single source of truth.
This unified approach breaks down historic “silos to hyper collaboration,” ensuring key decisions made early in the process carry intelligent context through to handover.
AI and Automation: Your New Design Partner
Forma is built as an AI-native cloud, shifting from reactive work to augmented design and predictive construction.
Design Augmentation for High Impact Planning
Generative AI instantly tests thousands of design options against real-world constraints like wind flow, sunlight, and carbon impact, freeing designers to focus on creativity.
Automate Tedious Tasks
The Autodesk Assistant is deploying across tools like Revit, AutoCAD, and Civil 3D to automate industry pain points. Imagine asking AI to analyze a model against all ADA regulations or use a photo to assist issue creation on site. This instant, intelligent analysis replaces hours of manual compliance checking and RFI documentation, significantly reducing friction and delays.
Predictive Construction
For contractors, AI connects design and construction data to spot risks proactively, recommending fixes in real time and transforming site management.
Outcome-Based BIM and High Impact Planning
The future moves beyond simply modeling to Outcome-Based BIM and High-Impact Planning, where specific goals are integrated and monitored from the earliest stage.
With High-Impact Planning, design decisions are immediately validated by running real-time analysis on metrics like operational carbon, daylighting, and cost impact before a single constraint is locked in. Projects are designed with intent and engineered for performance, not just aesthetics.
The Open Ecosystem
Crucially, the vision of Forma is open. From Esri for richer site data to Intraspace for automated road planning, the rapid expansion of the Forma Ecosystem through partner extensions ensures the platform is flexible and ready to integrate specialized tools.
Going beyond design and construction, Forma extends into operations with Tandem, Autodesk’s digital twins platform. Tandem enriches the as-built model with operational data from control systems, IoT sensors, and enterprise databases, creating a living digital representation of the built asset that learns and adapts over time.
Navigating the Change with ATG
Embracing an AI-native, data-first platform like Forma presents a massive shift in company workflows, team training, and technology adoption.
Just as the industry is moving from CAD to BIM, and now from BIM to Connected Cloud Workflows, ATG is your essential guide for this next transformation. Our experts bridge the gap between traditional workflows and this new ecosystem through services that optimize data, improve workflows, and prepare teams for success.
Analyze current standards and tools to provide a prioritized roadmap for improvement across Revit, ACC, and BIM.
Expert-led training for Forma Data Management, Site Design, and Building Design to ensure your team masters the new platform.
Review or build new Revit templates with standardized parameters to ensure seamless data integration with Forma and digital twins.
Help owners and operators prepare for and deploy Autodesk Tandem, from data structuring to live IoT integration.