Built on Data: Blueprint for a Digital Transformation at Implenia
Chapter 1: Catalyst for Change
Implenia works tirelessly on being the front-runner in the construction sector with digital tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM), as evidenced by their work on Kantonsspital Aarau. This creates the challenge of onboarding new cutting-edge tools when they become available, which can - over time - create a data system that is hard to navigate. So they asked themselves two questions:
“In order to keep growing, how can we better use our data to create value for the business?” and “How can we ensure our data remains protected, so our clients remain secure?”
The answer was a data platform that is future-ready, can create value quickly, and can scale to the full size of their company. Thus, they partnered with us, D ONE, to make it possible.
Looking back, Roland Zankl, Head of Applications, Data & Analytics at Implenia, sees the initial drivers for the new system turning into significant advantages:
Chapter 2: Lay the Digital Foundation with Targeted Wins
It was clear from the start that business value had to be our focus - we wanted to build a data platform together that would provide clear value from the get-go, in order to gain early stakeholder buy-in, justify continued investment, and demonstrate the strategic value of data across the business.
Therefore, the approach was to build a data platform based on a value-driven Use Case (initially focused on the Real Estate Business) that could be used as a blueprint for the rest of Implenia. In that way, we could show the value of the platform immediately, and then scale it to full size, while remaining flexible in regard to changing business requirements.
The platform currently services 120 users across 3 dashboards that show 70 business-driving KPIs. There are four fully implemented Use Cases based on the platform already.
Chapter 3: Scale Smart - From Pilot to Platform
Communication and clear strategy need to come before scale. Data governance also cannot be neglected. So we sat down and came up with the following plan:
Chapter 4: Proof in Progress
The platform has showcased the effectiveness of a value-first approach in an area with many information interfaces and provided a competitive advantage for acquiring real estate development projects.
With data from several source systems, we’ve created a single data model, providing a business domain wide view of Implenia’s portfolio: project and cost details, 15-year cost forecasts, benchmarks, and full infrastructure ownership tracking — all integrated in one dashboard — and available in different languages.
This unified view significantly enhances their ability to make fast, informed decisions, improves cost transparency and long-term planning accuracy, and ensures consistent access to critical information across all teams and regions. As a result, they are better equipped to manage our portfolio efficiently, align stakeholders, and drive strategic outcomes at scale.
Chapter 5: Built to Evolve
Their plan for the future is to scale active users by a factor of 10, enabling them to win more projects through data-driven decisions.
Patrick Buck from D ONE says:
“This new platform has confirmed the strategic fit of a governed data platform that provides reference for all future data products. It has been great to help Implenia leapfrog traditional data warehousing and land at a modern data system that will create tangible value throughout all business divisions.”
Together, as of today, we have identified 40 new, promising Use Cases across all business units at Implenia, of which 15 have been prioritized.
Implenia is proud of their leading position within the construction industry and at a time where digitalization becomes increasingly important, they work to be the best at that too!