An architect by background, VDC Manager Sogol Salary-Hines, Ph.D., has long understood how important planning, programming, and design are to any build process. She wrote her dissertation on preconstruction elements that impact the primary risk factors in construction projects: budget and time. Now, seven years after beginning her research, Sogol has become the first JE Dunn employee to be published in scientific journals; the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) and the “Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture.”
Sogol started her JE Dunn career as an estimator, where she worked with Lens, a proprietary technology that provides cost history and real-time design options to help create high-level project cost estimates.
“The idea came to my mind that with Lens, the access to projects data is available and can be used for analytic results. I said, ‘There is an opportunity to use these data that we receive from projects to develop research on how we can manage budgets and time, which are two critical risk-associated factors during the preconstruction phase,’” Sogol said.
She wanted to inform project stakeholders with certainty of using data-driven research about factors that impact their projects budget and time the most and to empower them to use proper resources for their construction project, particularly during the preconstruction phase. Sogol used her research to evaluate more than 65 elements that could potentially add risk to a build and tracked their data during the preconstruction phase. In concluding the findings on the budget and time impacts of critical preconstruction elements, not only were value-driven insights found, but Sogol also validated — with data — the long-held belief that leveraging technology significantly improves the estimating process.
“It is really important for our clients and project stakeholders to see that not only are we a general contractor deeply invested in technology, but it is also equally important for our clients to partner with a design team that shares the same culture and boundaries and are on the same page with utilizing technology throughout the planning and programming process so we can deliver our projects with the highest speed and quality,” she said.
Having this data-backed research enables the project team to better prepare clients for factors that could impact their project’s timeline and budget. It also empowers clients to more effectively manage potential variances by partnering with a high-quality general contractor and design team that are aligned and capable of leveraging advanced technology throughout the planning, programming, and estimating processes.
Several JE Dunn leaders supported Sogol in her journey from ideation to publication in two major industry journals.
“From the day Sogol started with JE Dunn in our Preconstruction group, she has had an inquiring mind, always questioning why we do things a certain way or how we can improve,” said National Preconstruction & Estimating Director Jason Hickam. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Sogol over the years, keeping her up to date on the latest trends and tech then standing back and watching her elevate it to the next level. Her research is incredibly insightful to our entire industry, providing direction on how best to approach our preconstruction efforts to mitigate risk and add client value. It’s an honor to be able to support such a brilliant member of our team.”
Looking ahead, Sogol hopes her findings will showcase JE Dunn’s ongoing efforts and investment in technology and inspire other general contractors to recognize the critical importance of leveraging advanced technology during the preconstruction phase to set projects up for success.
“The findings deliver a transformational solution with reliable outcomes. For example, data proves that using the design model during the preconstruction phase for cost estimating significantly shortens preconstruction timelines,” she said.
National VDC Director Trent Nichols also championed Sogol throughout her research and publication process.
“Sogol reached out to me because I played a key role in developing the Lens platform, which was the basis of her research. Since she transitioned into the VDC group, I get to work with her directly as she continues to grow personally as well as professionally,” Nichols said. “I’m really proud of what she has been able to accomplish and happy that she achieved a very high goal she set for herself. She has a bright future ahead, and I’m excited that I can be a small part of her journey.”
Upon learning that she would be published after years of research, writing, and reviews, Sogol expressed her excitement with great joy and pride.
“It’s a truly rewarding experience to have been with JE Dunn for an extended period and to feel a true sense of belonging,” she said. “Here, you become deeply invested — you have mentors who guide you and motivate you to deliver your best work every day. At the same time, it’s incredibly fulfilling to have our company name recognized in scientific journals and to contribute to the advancement of our construction industry.”
Read Sogol’s research published in the Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture here.
