JMT – Design Center of Excellence

ByGarth Donahue

Founder & Director, 2020–2026

Overview

I created the Design Center of Excellence (dCoE) at JMT to elevate the firm’s design delivery capabilities through a modern, technology‑driven approach. The dCoE unified standards, workflows, training, document management strategy, and subject‑matter expertise under one coordinated operational framework—significantly improving quality, consistency, and efficiency across design disciplines.

The roots of the dCoE began in 2019, when Bill Smith (then CIO) asked me to help accelerate model‑based delivery and ProjectWise adoption. I agreed on one condition: the effort had to be operationally focused and embedded in delivery—more than a technology initiative, a practice‑integrated team with the authority to shape how projects were actually executed.

We developed the concept through late 2019 and formally pitched the dCoE to the firm’s President in early 2020, where it received full executive support.

At the time, I was a Transportation Section Head, actively managing projects and teams. Stepping away from the traditional engineering track wasn’t easy, but the opportunity to build something that would benefit every designer, engineer, office, and project made the decision clear. I moved into the role to assemble the tools, workflows, coaching, and structure the firm needed to thrive.

From the start, the dCoE was intentionally broad and ambitious, built around four foundational components:

  • Support: Practical assistance for designers and PMs—standards, workflows, troubleshooting, and project startup guidance.
  • Advanced Design (SMEs): A coordinated network of internal subject‑matter experts across OpenRoads, OpenBridge, Civil 3D, and Revit to mentor, scope, and lead modeling efforts.
  • Research & Development: Evaluating emerging technology, guiding version transitions, and shaping future best practices.
  • Training & Upskilling: Scalable learning programs, internal user groups, onboarding paths, and project‑based coaching.

This role blended engineering, design technology, and organizational change leadership to help hundreds of staff adopt model‑based workflows, collaborate more effectively, and start projects with greater confidence. It remains one of the most meaningful chapters of my career.

Mission

Improve design quality and efficiency through technology, standards, and people.

In practice, the dCoE:

  • Modernized and unified design standards
  • Built a firmwide Subject Matter Expert (SME) network
  • Advanced model‑based delivery (OpenRoads, OBM, Civil 3D, Revit)
  • Established consistent project setup patterns and document management practices
  • Delivered scalable training and coaching
  • Strengthened collaboration using Common Data Environments (CDEs)
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Key Accomplishments

1) Firmwide “One‑Truth” Standards

I led the development and deployment of a unified standards system on every JMT workstation. The “One‑Truth” approach:

  • Standardized levels/layers, templates, plot styles, and title blocks
  • Worked across Autodesk and Bentley ecosystems
  • Supported hybrid workflows and regional variations
  • Reduced rework, errors, and onboarding time

These standards were integrated as managed workspaces in ProjectWise and inTune SharePoint delivery for BIM 360/ACC so every project started with the correct configuration.

2) A Durable Subject Matter Expert Network

I identified and developed SMEs across OpenRoads, OpenBridge, Civil 3D, and Revit. These leaders became:

  • Workflow and standards authors
  • Internal trainers and mentors
  • Scoping advisors for complex modeling work
  • Catalysts for firmwide modeling adoption

We built a repeatable pattern for developing and multiplying expertise inside the practice.

3) Training Ecosystem & User Communities

To make adoption stick, I built a training model that met people where they were:

  • Pinnacle Series for on‑demand learning
  • IMAGINiT for customized Autodesk training and support
  • Bentley Learn and E365 Blueprint programs for structured OpenX and ProjectWise development
  • Internal Civil 3D and Bentley user groups for peer learning, office hours, and demos

Hundreds of employees participated; many applied new skills immediately on live projects.

4) Document Management & CDE Strategy

I led the shift from scattered network folders and PM‑defined structures to governed Common Data Environments:

  • ProjectWise for cloud‑hosted, secure collaboration
  • Standardized project creation templates, metadata, and permissions
  • Best practices for versioning, check‑in/out, and reference management
  • BIM 360/ACC integration where appropriate for vertical projects

This improved quality, security, traceability, and work‑sharing.

5) Model‑Based Delivery & Digital Workflows

I guided firmwide modernization:

  • Bentley Geopak\Inroads → OpenX CONNECT Edition
  • Adoption of OpenRoads and OpenBridge across transportation
  • Civil 3D and Revit templates/content development
  • BIM/CIM Execution Plans and LOD frameworks
  • Reality capture (Pix4D, ContextCapture) and AR/VR visualization

This moved decision‑making earlier, reduced risk, and improved communication.

Representative Impact

ProjectWise & CDE Adoption at Scale

  • 1,500+ active projects operating within the ProjectWise ecosystem
  • Dynamic Managed Workspaces implemented for every ProjectWise client
  • Automated CDE project creation delivering correct folder structures, access control, and workspace configuration—cutting setup time from days to hours
  • 3,000+ external users (agencies, partners, subs, stakeholders) securely collaborating in our CDE environments

Training, Upskilling & Technical Advancement

  • 200+ annual participants in Bentley E365 Blueprint programs across OpenRoads/OBM, ProjectWise, and digital delivery tools
  • A robust training ecosystem (Pinnacle Series, IMAGINiT, Bentley Learn, internal user groups) supporting onboarding, project coaching, and long‑term development

Standards & Workflows

  • Firmwide deployment of One‑Truth standards across Autodesk and Bentley platforms
  • Consistent naming, levels/layers, templates, plot settings, and title blocks across regions and practices
  • Standards integrated into managed workspaces, eliminating drift and reducing rework

SME Leadership & Industry Recognition

  • Built one of the strongest ORD/OBM SME pipelines among peer firms
  • Consistently competitive in Bentley’s Premier Scholar cohorts, reflecting depth in OpenX and ProjectWise expertise

Operational & Business Value

  • Reduced rework via consistent, model‑based workflows
  • Accelerated project startup with automation and standardized configurations
  • Improved security and IP protection by moving from uncontrolled drives to governed CDEs
  • Enabled cross‑discipline, cross‑office, and cross‑organization collaboration at scale

Challenges & How We Addressed Them

“Flat CAD Forever” Culture
Some teams remained 2D‑focused.
Response: Hands‑on coaching, SME pairing, project kickoff mentoring, leadership visibility into wins.

Fragmented Document Management
PM‑defined folder structures created inconsistency.
Response: CDE adoption with ProjectWise and Autodesk Construction Cloud standards, templated setup, training, and guidance.

Client Standard Variability
DOTs and agencies required different versions and workflows.
Response: Flexible internal standards that translated cleanly into client‑specific environments.

Rapid Industry Change
Bentley and Autodesk evolve quickly.
Response: Structured R&D/testing cycles, version planning, communication, and targeted training.

Reorganization & Transition

By 2026, the company was growing quickly and integrating new teams. During that momentum, leadership introduced a new innovation‑focused structure and sunset the dCoE, distributing its functions more broadly.

With any large‑scale change, it’s easy for signals from the delivery side to get quieter—especially when strategy and integration are moving fast. Some conversations that had previously been open became harder to coordinate across groups, and alignment around standards, workspaces, and training took longer than our project teams would have liked.

What matters most to me is that the work endures:

  • Firmwide standards and templates
  • Managed workspaces in ProjectWise and structured templates for ACC
  • An engaged SME network and active user communities
  • A coaching‑first culture around sharing and learning

I’m grateful for the people who built this with me. The dCoE meaningfully advanced the firm’s digital practice, and many of those improvements remain in daily use.

What I Bring to Future Teams

  • Depth in design technology modernization across Autodesk and Bentley ecosystems
  • Proven track record building standards architectures and CDE frameworks
  • Ability to create SME pipelines, user communities, and scalable training programs
  • A strong programming and design background for integrating systems
  • Proven project management and client relationship manager.
  • Strength in aligning technology decisions with real project delivery needs
  • A blend of strategic vision and hands‑on execution for digital delivery transformation

I’m passionate about helping teams work more effectively, reduce rework, increase clarity, and deliver better design outcomes through modern tools and thoughtful processes.

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