Sign InVirtual Design and Construction: What Is It & 5 Benefits
Construction projects are complex, with tight budgets and timelines that leave little room for error. Delays, missteps, and rework can throw everything off track—but digital advancements are helping the industry turn the tide.
According to McKinsey, digital transformation in construction can boost productivity by 14–15% and cut costs by 4–6%. But beyond efficiency and savings, it helps teams reduce uncertainty and “de-risk” projects across the entire construction lifecycle.
That's where virtual design and construction (VDC) comes in. In this article, we’ll explore how VDC keeps projects moving forward, minimizes rework, and improves collaboration. Plus, we’ll look at how tools like Matterport’s digital twins fit into the VDC ecosystem to help your team drive better results.
What is virtual design and construction (VDC)?
Virtual design and construction (VDC) is the process of creating and using digital models to plan, design, and manage construction projects through every phase of the build.
Typically, this involves leveraging Building Information Modeling (BIM), digital twins, and other construction technology to bring all project data together into a single source of truth. This helps teams visualize designs, simulate various scenarios, optimize workflows, and collaborate in real-time—ultimately keeping projects on schedule and within budget.
What’s the difference between VDC and BIM?
Although closely intertwined, VDC and BIM aren’t the same.
BIM | VDC | |
|---|---|---|
Focus | Creates an accurate 3D digital model that captures architectural, structural, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) details | Manages the entire project lifecycle, using BIM data to coordinate teams, streamline workflows, and control costs |
Scope | Primarily centers on design and as-built documentation | Spans from early planning and design through construction and even into operations |
Objective | To provide a detailed, data-rich blueprint to guide design decisions and reduce errors | To make sure that every element—from scheduling to collaboration—aligns with the model, so the final build matches both design intent and operational needs |
Primary value | Serves as a single source of truth for geometry and specifications | Integrates BIM with broader VDC processes to improve efficiency, track costs, and keep timelines on track |
How it’s used | Often used by architects, engineers, and construction professionals for conflict detection and planning | Engages all stakeholders—owners, investors, and field teams—in a shared process that leverages BIM insights for real-world execution |
Differences between building information modeling (BIM) and virtual design and construction (VDC)
Essentially, BIM is the foundation—it provides detailed data, geometry, and insights about on-site conditions, covering everything from architecture to mechanical systems.
VDC takes that foundation and makes it actionable throughout the entire build. It uses BIM’s blueprint to coordinate teams, tighten up workflows, manage costs, and make sure that what ultimately gets built reflects both the original design intent and the project’s long-term goals.
Put simply, BIM creates a detailed model, while VDC ensures that the model becomes a reality without costly surprises.
Why do you need virtual design and construction (VDC)?
In a perfect world, you wouldn’t. That’s because, in theory, if an owner knows exactly what they want (and that won’t change), and a general contractor has already built that same thing over and over with the same team, everything runs on autopilot.
But, real projects are rarely that predictable, as outlined by Building Design + Construction. Needs shift, new team members join, and unforeseen challenges pop up all the time.
That’s where VDC matters. It creates a flexible framework to handle last-minute design changes, coordinate people who haven’t worked together before, and keep everyone accountable when things get complex. Essentially, if you don’t live in a world of perfect, repeatable projects—and most of us don’t—then VDC is going to be an asset.
What are the benefits of VDC in construction?
VDC offers plenty of advantages to architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC). Below, we’ve covered five benefits to help you understand why you should make use of this tech.
1. Bring teams together with better collaboration
Research shows that 52% of construction rework happens because of miscommunications and bad data. When teams can quickly share updates—whether it’s between designers and contractors or field crews—it’s easier to avoid these costly mistakes.
In that regard, VDC makes a difference.
VDC creates a shared, cloud-based workspace for construction collaboration where everyone involved in a project—architects, engineers, contractors, and owners—can access the most up-to-date information, no matter where they are.
Teams can meet virtually, review detailed building models, and agree on the next steps without needing in-person site visits or physical documents. By extension, this cuts down on version control issues, scheduling conflicts, and distance barriers, making it easier for everyone to stay aligned and work toward the same goals.
2. Minimize safety risk by spotting issues early
VDC also helps prevent accidents by spotting safety risks before work even begins. Combined with reality capture technology, it lets construction teams identify and address safety hazards—like uneven terrain, overhead obstructions, or poorly planned equipment layouts—during the planning phase before any work starts on-site.
For example, detailed 3D site scans combined with digital models can highlight issues like scaffolding in the wrong place or equipment blocking key pathways.
Instead of waiting until these problems cause delays or injuries on-site, teams can adjust plans digitally ahead of time.
3. Save time and money with fewer errors
Rework can quickly drive up project costs, especially when you factor in both direct and indirect impacts—and design issues are often to blame.
The good news: By using VDC and BIM workflows, you can catch clashes, inconsistencies, and constructability problems early in the design phase. In fact, contractors who actively use BIM report 73% fewer errors and rework and 65% fewer defects at project handover.
With VDC, you can stay on track and use your resources more efficiently—without expensive surprises down the line.
4. Improve quality by avoiding design conflicts
Design or project variations, such as change orders, are a major cause of delays and conflicts in construction projects, often stemming from poor communication and inadequate planning.
With VDC, you can catch problems between building systems—like plumbing running into ductwork, utilities crossing underground (open trench) and misaligned structural elements—before construction even starts. Clash detection lets you resolve these issues digitally, so you’re not dealing with costly fixes or delays on-site. And you can easily check in with your team quickly while monitoring construction progress, which means better quality and a smoother project overall.
5. Make smarter decisions with better project visualization
Despite plenty of upsides, not everyone in construction has jumped on board with digital transformation. In fact, 35% of contractors outsource BIM, and nearly 28% won’t bid on projects that need BIM or VDC.
That hesitation leaves a lot of opportunity on the table. Because VDC gives you a clearer, more realistic view of your project before construction begins. This means you can visualize the entire plan, catch potential issues early, and set the stage for a smoother, more successful build.
And Matterport makes this even more accessible by combining scalable digital twins with VDC workflows. This helps small and medium-sized firms level up their visualization and planning and, ultimately, deliver better results across any project.
An essential framework for VDC
Developed by Stanford University, the VDC framework is a way to organize and manage construction projects by focusing on three main areas: the product, the organization, and the process.
Each of these connects to specific areas within construction that help teams stay aligned and work toward clear goals. Here’s how it works:
1. Product: Building Information Modeling
The “product” part is about the design of the building or project itself. As we’ve covered, BIM creates detailed 3D/4D models to visualize the design, resolve clashes, and manage project information. It also helps you make sure that teams can plan more effectively and integrate costs, schedules, and even advanced tools like augmented reality to make better decisions.
2. Organization: Integrated Concurrent Engineering
The “organization” part focuses on how the team works together. Integrated Concurrent Engineering (ICE) sessions bring stakeholders—like engineers, designers, and contractors—together (virtually or in person) to collaborate in real time. These sessions let you make decisions quickly, reduce delays, and make sure everyone stays aligned with project goals.
3. Process: Project Production Management
The “process” focuses on how the work gets done. Project Production Management (PPM) uses data-driven methods to plan workflows, reduce variability, and optimize how you use resources like labor, materials, and equipment. With this in mind, you can make sure work stays on schedule and meets quality standards.
VDC works best when these components—BIM, ICE, and PPM—are integrated and not used in isolation. For instance, BIM models are most effective when paired with ICE sessions to facilitate collaboration and decision-making.
That said, this framework isn't universal because successful frameworks are usually flexible and adapt to the unique needs of each project. In the end, the goal of VDC is to create high-performing buildings that meet client goals, such as sustainability, usability, and cost-effectiveness.
What’s next for VDC and digital twins
The construction industry is rapidly changing, especially with technology in the mix. In the past, we used tools like BIM and the Internet of Things (IoT) to keep track of different parts of a project.
Now, with faster internet and real-time connectivity, we can accomplish way more.
With “digital twins” of a project site—basically a living, virtual version of what’s happening in real life—you can literally manage everything from anywhere. And according to research, this could save up to $950 million in design and construction costs and another $400 million in operations for non-residential projects by 2025.
This technology is a big leap forward that’s set to change how we plan, build, and maintain structures for the better—and Matterport is leading the way.
Where Matterport steps in
Virtual tour documents new construction MEP rough-ins
Matterport enhances BIM and VDC workflows by bringing real-world context to digital workflows through our digital twins.
Here’s how: Architects and engineers who use Autodesk Construction Cloud, including Revit and AutoCAD, Procore, or your existing design software can overlay our high-fidelity scans directly onto BIM models. In turn, this refines measurements, reduces site visits, and keeps teams aligned with up-to-date data.
For construction managers, Matterport provides a navigable record of site conditions in Procore. This means you can spot deviations early, improve communication, and cut down on rework. Simply put, with accurate reality capture, Matterport ensures your team stays coordinated from design to project delivery.
If you’d like to see Matterport in action, chat with an expert here.
