Digital Construction Revolution!
The construction industry is growing with a new focus on integrating technology and data-driven processes to create more efficient and sustainable structures. By embracing advanced digital solutions, the industry is shifting from traditional approaches to innovative frameworks that allow for improved project management and lifecycle maintenance. This transformation enhances collaboration across various disciplines within the industry, offering a fresh perspective on resource optimization, resilience, and adaptability in the face of environmental challenges. As the demands on urban infrastructure grow, digitalization in construction is setting a precedent for creating more innovative, more connected cities.
Salla Eckhardt, the CEO of SARA Oy, has been leading this digital transformation within the industry. Her approach to leadership blends a visionary mindset with a focus on actionable results, inspiring her team and stakeholders to adopt a more organized and forward-thinking model. Known for her strategic insight and human-centric leadership style, she is reshaping how construction aligns with digitalization by prioritizing technical innovation and a cohesive, collaborative culture. Her focus on process re-engineering and her commitment to bridging communication gaps among project teams highlights her dedication to streamlining operations and establishing a foundation for the “digital building lifecycle.”
At SARA Oy, Salla’s leadership is integral to the company’s ambitious goal of innovative digital construction solutions. Known for its investment in research and development, SARA Oy is setting a high standard in the industry by implementing comprehensive digital strategies and cultivating a culture of innovation. The company’s initiatives, which include advanced tools like digital twins and immersive planning technologies, are transforming stakeholder engagement and advancing the company’s mission to elevate industry standards. As SARA Oy continues to explore new avenues in data integration and lifecycle management, it is well-positioned to play a key role in shaping the future of sustainable urban development.
Let’s delve into Salla’s innovative leadership approach within the construction industry:
Addressing Industry Inefficiencies
Reflecting on her journey, Salla can identify several experiences that have shaped her path to becoming the CEO of SARA Oy. Early in her career, she developed a strong interest in how the built environment can positively impact society.
This curiosity led her to pursue a master’s degree in architecture with a dual major in structural engineering and construction management. Working in these areas opened her eyes to the potential of data-driven decision-making, fueling her interest in exploring digital transformation further.
A turning point for her was recognizing the inefficiencies and communication gaps within the industry. Although project teams work toward the same goals, their perspectives often differ based on their roles and educational backgrounds.
Realizing the need for cohesive digital integration, she focused on process re-engineering, digital project management, and human-centric leadership. These efforts formed the foundation of the “digital building lifecycle” concept—a framework that continues to grow within their organization.
Additionally, her roles in project and business management helped her combine technical expertise with strategic insight, giving her a holistic view of the industry. This experience solidified her vision of becoming a transformational leader in the built environment industry through digitalization.
Integrating Data for Lifecycle Management
Salla says, “Digital transformation holds immense potential to reshape the built environment, especially as we confront global challenges like climate change and the urbanization of vulnerable regions. It enables us to integrate data to make lifecycle management more transparent, efficient, and responsive. She is excited to lead this change because it offers a unique opportunity to elevate industry standards.
Salla believes, “By harnessing AI, IoT, and advanced data science, we can optimize resource use, reduce environmental impact, and develop more adaptable and resilient infrastructure.”
Additionally, “digital transformation can redefine stakeholder engagement. With digital twins and immersive planning tools like Cityverse, we can actively involve communities, making urban planning more inclusive and attuned to citizens’ needs.”
Leading this change at SARA Oy means driving a comprehensive digital strategy that values both technical innovation and the cultural shifts required to embrace a more interconnected future.
Ensuring Data Privacy and Cybersecurity
The digital building lifecycle is a progressive concept, and she anticipates its adoption will accelerate in the coming years due to increasing renovation debt and demand for new construction.
The need for comprehensive, end-to-end digital solutions will only grow as urban environments become more challenging. Salla is focused on developing stronger integrations between existing digital platforms and emerging technologies to create a seamless digital continuum—from project inception through maintenance to eventual decommissioning.
Challenges are inevitable, particularly in change management, data quality, and system interoperability. Ensuring reliable data flow between platforms remains a hurdle, alongside the cultural shift required in the industry. Additionally, managing data privacy and cybersecurity in increasingly interconnected environments is crucial.
However, these challenges also present opportunities; by addressing them, the built environment industry can be positioned as an emerging leader in digital resilience and data governance. Salla is committed to advancing the digital building lifecycle, confident it will be a cornerstone of future construction and smart city planning.
Balancing Visionary Thinking and Adaptability
Salla believes that driving innovation requires a balance of visionary thinking, adaptability, and decisiveness. She prioritizes curiosity and openness to new approaches within the team; in a technology-driven industry where change is constant, agility and a willingness to develop are essential.
Empathy is also crucial, especially when aligning the needs of different individuals and managing diverse teams. Innovation often involves taking educated risks, so creating a supportive environment is key to encouraging experimentation.
She believes in leading by example; by staying engaged with new technologies and industry trends, she inspires others to remain forward-thinking and proactive. She takes ownership of issues rather than expecting others to solve them for her.
Investing in Innovation and R&D Programs
Creating a culture of innovation at SARA Oy involves setting clear goals, providing resources, and celebrating achievements along the way. Salla encourages open communication where everyone, regardless of role, feels comfortable sharing their ideas and perspectives. SARA Oy invests in innovation and participates in various R&D programs, allowing people the freedom to explore creative solutions without the fear of failure.
She also focuses on learning and development. SARA Oy invests in its people, supporting continued education and participation in events that keep the team at the forefront of industry advancements.
By aligning everyone with forward-thinking goals and providing the necessary tools, they cultivate an environment where innovation is a core practice. This culture is reinforced through internal recognition, celebrating both individual and team contributions to their digital transformation journey.
Enriching Work with External Engagements
Balancing her responsibilities as CEO with her passion for contributing to the industry is essential for Salla. Actively engaging with industry stakeholders provides fresh perspectives and helps her stay connected to emerging trends. She rigorously prioritizes her time to manage this balance, often dedicating specific blocks to external activities, such as industry working groups or brainstorming workshops.
Her external engagements also enrich her work at SARA Oy, allowing her to bring back valuable insights and approaches that benefit their clients. This dual role is mutually reinforcing, enabling her to share their experiences and learn from others in the field, continually enhancing her growth as a leader and strategist.
Monitoring Market Trends and ESG Regulations
Salla prioritizes R&D by consistently investing in deep tech and collaborating with triple-helix stakeholders. Maintaining a growth mindset of continuous learning and experimentation is essential to staying ahead in a fast-growing sector. Additionally, at SARA Oy, there is an innovation committee dedicated to exploring and assessing emerging technologies for potential integration into their processes.
Keeping a close watch on market trends, particularly regarding sustainability and ESG regulations, enables them to anticipate changes and adjust proactively. Their partnerships with educational institutions and involvement in industry bodies also provide a forward-looking perspective. This proactive approach allows them not only to keep pace but to set new benchmarks in the digitalization of the built environment.
Engaging with Stakeholders for Fresh Perspectives
To aspiring leaders, she highlights the importance of understanding both technology and people. Success in data governance and digitalization requires not only deep technical knowledge but also the ability to manage change and align diverse stakeholders. Building expertise in data security, privacy, and analytics is essential, but so is developing the soft skills needed to lead teams through transformations.
Salla also encourages a commitment to lifelong learning. Technology grows, so staying informed about advancements in AI, machine learning, and comprehending digital infrastructure is critical. Finally, she advises not to be afraid to augment the status quo. The built environment is experiencing a shift, and those who dare to push boundaries will be the ones to lead the way.
Advancing Smart Infrastructure for Resilient Cities
In Salla’s opinion, “the intersection of physical and digital environments will fundamentally change how cities operate. We’re moving toward smart, adaptive cities where real-time data from infrastructure informs everything from optimal energy use to efficient traffic flow. Digital twins within the Cityverse, in particular, are a game-changer, allowing cities to simulate and optimize operations in virtual environments before making real-world changes.”
She envisions cities becoming more sustainable and efficient through these digital transformations. Smart infrastructure will enhance resilience, enabling preventative decision-making and predictive resource allocation.
This shift will require new frameworks for data governance and privacy to ensure that digital tools serve all citizens equally. SARA Oy is actively involved in programs exploring these intersections, and she is excited about the potential of digital-physical convergence.
Aspiring to a Career in Diplomacy
Looking ahead, Salla is excited to drive SARA Oy’s international expansion and explore new applications for the digital building lifecycle. Her professional goal is to establish SARA Oy as a global knowledge leader in digital solutions for the built environment, promoting sustainable, efficient, and inclusive built environments worldwide. She is also focused on pursuing cross-sector collaborations, particularly in integrating renewable energy and sustainable materials with digital infrastructure and buildings.
On a personal level, she aspires to build a career in diplomacy, inspiring the next generation of leaders. Additionally, she is eager to engage in deeper discussions about the future of digitalization and ESG in urban environments, contributing thought leadership that drives positive change across the industry.
