Digital Transformation in AEC: Lessons from the Front Lines

Melissa Hernandez is a dynamic business leader and project consultant with extensive experience leading complex, multi-product, and technically challenging programs. She creates value by creating tailored project designs, agility, data analytics, and efficient change management to enable specialized teams to produce meaningful and sustainable business results.

In the following article, Melissa Hernandez discusses her perspectives on the digital transformation within Latin America’s AEC sector. She shares her perspective on key tech themes such as AI, proptech, agile methodologies among others. Talking about the Latin American market, Mellisa also weights in on cultural understanding behind decision making and strategies to navigate power dynamics while implementing digital transformations.

Digital Transformation in LATAM AEC

Latin America’s AEC industry has long struggled with fragmentation, making digital transformation both urgent and disruptive. Today, cloud-based platforms, PropTech tools, and AI-driven analytics are beginning to unify workflows across geographies and disciplines.

Yet, many players still resist early shifts such as transparent data-sharing, automation of manual approvals, and real-time collaboration. This resistance often stems from fear of losing control or from legacy hierarchies tied to traditional paper-based processes.

However, the momentum is irreversible: clients demand efficiency, regulators push for transparency, and global competition requires scalability.

The challenge is less about technology itself and more about shifting deep-seated cultural practices that have long governed how projects are conceived and delivered.

Embedding AI & PropTech into Legacy Systems

Introducing AI and PropTech into legacy-heavy sectors requires more than new tools; it requires storytelling and empathy.

One unconventional approach I’ve used is reframing technology as an enabler of human potential rather than as a threat. For example, instead of replacing manual reporting, we augmented it with visual dashboards that empower field workers to see their impact.

Piloting small-scale digital twins or modular SaaS tools allowed us to prove value incrementally without overwhelming traditional mindsets. This method created trust, as teams experienced continuity alongside innovation. By aligning technology rollouts with cultural rhythms—training during familiar milestones or pairing digital adoption with existing rituals—we turned skepticism into ownership.

Agile Methodologies in the Construction Ecosystems

Agile methodologies, born in tech, often falter in construction because projects are capital-intensive, risk-averse, and constrained by regulation. Unlike software, you cannot “ship a beta version” of a building.

However, women leaders can reimagine agile by blending its iterative spirit with hands-on site realities.

For instance, introducing “agile sprints” in procurement cycles or modular design phases allows teams to adjust without jeopardizing safety or compliance.

Women often bring collaborative leadership that values dialogue and adaptability, creating space for agile practices that respect human dynamics on-site. By broadening agile beyond sticky notes and stand-ups, we can embed it as a mindset of resilience and responsiveness within real-world construction.

Digital Scalability vs. Cultural Decision-Making

Scaling digital solutions in Latin America requires balancing technology with respect for cultural decision-making. Many leaders still rely on intuition, personal trust, and relational networks over raw data. Rather than challenging this, I integrate data as a complement, showing how analytics validates their instincts.

In practice, this means positioning dashboards not as replacements but as allies that enhance credibility in negotiations.

By honoring cultural norms of conversation, hierarchy, and consensus, digital adoption feels like an extension of identity, not an imposition.

True scalability emerges when leaders see technology as reinforcing their wisdom and legacy while unlocking efficiency for the next generation of AEC growth.

Digital Innovation & Power Dynamics

As a woman architect, developer and CEO, I have seen digital innovation both challenge and reinforce traditional power dynamics. On one hand, transparency through cloud platforms disrupts old hierarchies, giving voice to younger professionals and women in project rooms historically dominated by men. On the other, innovation often amplifies credibility—when I bring data-driven arguments into negotiations, resistance turns into respect. Vendor relations also shift: technology enables fairer procurement through traceability, reducing space for favoritism. For women leaders, digital tools can act as equalizers, helping to shift authority from titles or gender toward measurable impact, competence, and vision. That is a silent yet powerful revolution.

Message to Rising Women Leaders in AEC

My message to women leaders entering AEC is: do not wait for permission to innovate. This industry, while traditional, is ripe for disruption, and your perspective is urgently needed. Lead with both courage and empathy; digital transformation is not just about systems, but about people. Every challenge you face, from skepticism to bias, is also an opportunity to demonstrate resilience and vision.

Surround yourself with allies, cultivate continuous learning, and remember that technology is your ally in amplifying your leadership voice. By embracing both your uniqueness and digital fluency, you can redefine what leadership looks like for the future of construction in Latin America and beyond.