A roundtable discussion, "Application of Domestic Software," was held at the St Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering as part of the BIMAC-2026 conference. The event brought together representatives from business, government, and the professional community.
The discussion was organized by the Northwestern Federal District Construction Industry Consortium, St Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, and the St Petersburg Builders' Association.
Digitalization as an inevitability
The roundtable discussion was moderated by Oleg Razgulyaev, Vice President of the Association of Construction Materials Manufacturers, and Denis Nizhegorodtsev, Director of the SPbGASU Educational Center for Digital Competence. Opening the discussion, they noted that digital tools have already become an integral part of all stages of the construction project lifecycle – from design to operation.
Participants discussed the following key issues::
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transition to domestic software;
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integration of various digital solutions at the construction project management level;
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interaction between business and government;
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formation of a unified digital environment in construction.
Particular attention was paid to the need to integrate disparate digital tools into a single system capable of providing end-to-end management of construction processes.
Business and government: finding balance
During the discussion, industry representatives emphasized that digitalization today is often fragmented. The lack of unified standards and agreed-upon requirements leads to duplication of processes and increased costs.
Experts noted that the implementation of digital solutions must take into account business interests. Without demonstrable effectiveness, companies are reluctant to actively transition to new systems.
At the same time, government officials emphasized that digital requirements would become more stringent in the coming years, and the transition to electronic project document management will become mandatory.
Digitalization practice: developers' experience
Representatives of construction companies shared practical examples of implementing digital solutions. Specifically, they presented their experience in creating an end-to-end digital construction management model—from design to commissioning.
Such solutions allow to:
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automate executive documentation;
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reduce human involvement in routine operations;
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reduce errors;
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ensure transparency of processes.
At the same time, the key problem remains the lack of uniform rules and standards for describing construction processes.
Training personnel: challenges for universities
A separate section of the discussion was devoted to specialist training. Participants noted the gap between industry requirements and educational programs.
Andrey Nikulin, Dean of the SPbGASU Faculty of Civil Engineering, emphasized the complexity of the situation: "Students and teachers are experiencing a certain apathy and even fear about using software products in the educational process. This is a consequence of the uncertainty and constant changes occurring in the industry."
According to him, the education system does not always keep pace with the rapid development of technology, and teachers require additional training to work with modern digital tools.
The need for a systemic approach
Experts agreed that a systemic approach is key to successful digitalization. It's important not only to implement individual software products, but also to create a unified digital environment that encompasses the entire lifecycle of a facility.
The need was also noted for:
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developing unified standards;
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ensuring compatibility of software solutions;
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building a dialogue between business, government, and educational organizations.
Outcomes
The roundtable clearly demonstrated that the construction industry was already undergoing active digital transformation, but this process remained uneven and required coordination at all levels.
Participants agreed that the key conditions for a successful transition are:
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development of uniform rules and standards for digital interaction;
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taking into account business interests when implementing mandatory decisions;
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development of infrastructure and integration of software products;
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training specialists ready to work in the new digital environment.
Particular emphasis was placed on the need to build a dialogue between the government, business, and educational institutions. This tripartite model will ensure the sustainable development of digital processes in construction.
SPbGASU, serving as a platform for professional discussion and training, will continue to participate in shaping approaches to digitalization in the industry and in identifying practical solutions in demand by the market.
