12.1 Conclusions

Albert Einstein is credited with saying “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” 1 Technology provides a different way of doing things and therefore a brilliant opportunity. The fundamental choice is whether to stand aside or to become involved in the movement. It is tempting for those of us about to enter our sixth decade to wait for the next generation of digital natives to drive change. However, linking the past, present and future is essential in order to ensure a smooth transition and to give the future initiatives the best chance of success. The built environment has excellence in its structure and people represented by good practice but suffers from a poor reputation as being financially uncertain, slow to change, adversarial, untrusting and unfair to subcontractors. It is a deeply vexing question as to how such a massively important player on the world's scene perpetuates its shortcomings. The answer to the problems would appear to be to embrace technology.