Talent, technology, and strategic planning are shaping the future of the AEC industry at a crossroads
DULLES, Va., April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Unanet, the leading provider of project-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, today released its 2025 AEC Inspire Report. Based on a recent nationwide survey of hundreds of top industry professionals, the report offers timely benchmarks and insights to help firms make informed, strategic decisions this year, particularly as they face significant talent shortages due to an aging workforce.
“The AEC industry is incredibly agile, but market uncertainty and talent gaps are driving successful firms to leverage technology in new ways, such as resource management and business development,” said Akshay Mahajan, Executive Vice President, AEC, Unanet. “In the new Inspire Report, we offer a practical view into pressing concerns and emerging opportunities shaping the sector, so leaders can move forward with confidence.”
Top Reported Challenges
The report shows labor and talent development are top concerns for 67% of firms, surpassing even economic uncertainty. The average employee age is 41, and many founding leaders are nearing retirement. Yet only two-thirds of firms report having formal succession plans, and more than half rate their career development efforts as fair or poor.
In addition, business development remains a key area for improvement. Nearly half of respondents (47%) cite low adoption of business development tools, up from 35% last year. Further limiting their ability to pursue new opportunities, 54% say they lack the tools needed to access and analyze the data required to pursue new work effectively.
The third significant business challenge is resource management, which 25% of respondents rate as “immature.” This means many AEC firms lack the insights that forecasting and predictive analysis can deliver.
Yet Optimism Reigns
Despite these challenges, the vast majority of respondents (78%) expressed optimism about the current business environment. The optimism about future growth creates an even greater need to build a strong workforce, adopt leading-edge business development tools, and accurately forecast and plan resources.
“As any successful AEC firm can attest, success takes a lot more than just a growth plan, but also determined execution composed of actionable business intelligence about new opportunities, dedicated talent that will deliver stellar results for each project, and a firm-wide view of resources and timelines so each project can be managed properly,” said Lucas Hayden, Senior Director, AEC Strategy, Unanet. “Firms that prioritize data centralization, health, and system integration are in a stronger position to drive growth.”
The 2025 AEC Inspire Report includes insights from 313 senior-level professionals across firms of varying sizes and revenue levels. It also features tools organizations can use to assess themselves and their needs including a Resource Management Maturity Model, an AI and technology checklist, and guidance for evaluating business solutions.
Download the full report at https://info.unanet.com/aec-inspire-report-2025.
About Unanet
Unanet is a leading provider of project-based ERP and CRM solutions purpose-built for government contractors, architecture, engineering, construction, and professional services. More than 4,000 project-driven organizations depend on Unanet to turn their information into actionable insights, drive better decision-making, maintain regulatory compliance, and accelerate business growth. All backed by a people-centered team invested in the success of your projects, people, and financials. For more information, visit www.unanet.com.
SOURCE Unanet