From Paper to Precision: How QR Codes and AR Are Transforming Field Workflows

On today's construction sites, precision and speed are everything. Yet for years, field teams have relied on printed shop drawings and manual measurements to verify installations—a process that's slow, error-prone and disconnected from the dynamic pace of modern building.

That's changing.

At DPR’s Sutter Health East Santa Clara Campus, a new Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) QR code workflow is streamlining the BIM-to-field process by replacing paper with smart, scannable access. QR codes mounted on door studs enable field staff to access the latest 2D coordination sheets instantly on their iPads. No more walking back to the BIM station. No more outdated drawings. Just real-time data, right where it's needed.

The results have been impressive. Quality control time per area dropped from two days to just 30 minutes. While this didn't shift the overall project delivery timeline, it freed up valuable hours that teams could redirect toward design changes and other critical tasks.

Trade partners, such as Southland and Sprig Electric, quickly became major users of the system. Their teams praised the clarity and efficiency it brought to their workflows. Senior project managers and field representatives are contributing testimonials to help document the impact and share lessons learned.

VConstruct, one of DPR's family of companies, played a key role in making this possible. By generating dimensioned room QC sheets from coordinated Revit models, they ensured timely delivery and seamless integration with the QR code system. This allowed field teams to verify installations with confidence and speed.

But the innovation didn't stop there.

Recognizing the limitations of accessing heavy Navisworks models through ACC—especially in low-connectivity environments—the team adopted Sitelink, an iPhone & iPad-based augmented reality platform. Sitelink enables users to overlay 3D models onto real-world views, adjust transparency, and visually compare installed elements with design intent. It's fast, intuitive and doesn't require a strong internet connection.

The AR models are color-coded by discipline—ducts in pink, electrical in yellow—mirroring the coordinated model setup and making it easy for field teams to identify systems during verification. Since early 2024, DPR team members have worked closely with Sitelink, providing feedback that led to continuous feature enhancements tailored to project needs.

The team also restructured the project handoff process to ensure clarity and consistency across phases. From design to DPR to trade partners, each transition is supported by federated models and "spool sheets," creating a single source of truth for everyone involved. Prefab wall panels—1367 total for the building—are tracked through various stages using ACC, from creation to QC completion.

This isn't just about QR codes or AR; it's about creating a seamless experience. It's about empowering teams, simplifying workflows and using innovative tools to make construction more precise, efficient and collaborative.

Learn more about Sutter Health East Santa Clara Campus.