At Autodesk University 2026, one message stood out among the technology announcements: Autodesk confirmed that the design, analysis, coordination, and documentation capabilities currently associated with Revit will gradually move into Forma. Revit is not disappearing tomorrow, but Autodesk has made it clear that Forma is becoming the long-term platform for the future of BIM.
For many AEC professionals, particularly those working in MEP, digital engineering, and BIM management, the announcement raises an important question: what does moving to Forma actually mean in practice?
The answer is less about replacing one piece of software with another and more about a shift toward a connected cloud environment where data, workflows, analysis, collaboration, and AI-enabled decision-making work together across the entire project lifecycle.
Autodesk’s Direction Toward Forma:
Traditionally, Revit has been the centre of BIM delivery. Models were created, coordinated, documented, and shared through a combination of desktop applications and connected cloud services.
Autodesk’s vision for Forma is different.
Rather than treating modelling, analysis, collaboration, and project data as separate activities, Autodesk is building Forma as an industry cloud that connects them into a single ecosystem. Revit remains a critical part of that ecosystem today, but Autodesk’s direction suggests that future capabilities will increasingly be developed within the Forma platform.
This aligns with Autodesk’s broader focus on project intelligence, where connected project data provides context for automation, decision support, and AI-driven workflows.
What Does “Moving to Forma” Actually Mean?
For many users, the phrase “Revit will move to Forma” creates concern.
The reality is that organisations will not wake up one morning to discover Revit has vanished.
Instead, Autodesk is expected to continue evolving Revit while progressively delivering more capabilities through cloud-native services within Forma. Over time, functions that traditionally sat inside a desktop application may become part of a connected platform experience.
Think of it as a transition from software-centric BIM to data-centric BIM.
The model remains important, but the greater value comes from connecting, analysing, sharing, and reusing project information throughout planning, design, construction, and operations.
For most firms, the shift is likely to happen gradually through new services, integrations, AI features, and cloud-based workflows rather than through a single disruptive software replacement.
What This Means for MEP and Digital Engineering:
For MEP teams and digital engineering specialists, the implications are significant.
As projects become increasingly data-driven, success will depend on more than producing coordinated models. Firms will need reliable information structures, strong data governance, and workflows that allow project information to move seamlessly between disciplines and platforms.
This creates opportunities to:
- Improve design decision-making earlier in projects.
- Connect engineering information across multiple project stages.
- Reduce manual data handling and duplication.
- Leverage AI and automation using project-specific information.
- Deliver greater value through data rather than geometry alone.
The organisations that benefit most will be those that view BIM as a business process rather than simply a modelling activity.
What Should AEC Businesses Be Doing Now?
The good news is that there is no immediate need for organisations to abandon their existing Revit workflows.
However, this is an ideal time to prepare for where the industry is heading.
AEC businesses should focus on:
- Strengthening BIM standards and data quality. Good data will become increasingly valuable as cloud platforms and AI tools mature.
- Investing in digital engineering capability: The skills required to manage information, workflows, and connected data environments will become more important than ever.
- Exploring cloud-connected workflows: Understanding how information moves between Autodesk Construction Cloud, Forma, and other project platforms will help future-proof delivery processes.
- Building a technology roadmap: Rather than reacting to future changes, firms should evaluate how emerging Autodesk technologies align with their business objectives and project delivery models.
At Draftech, we’ve seen BIM evolve from a drafting and coordination tool into one of the industry’s most valuable sources of project information.
Over the past 25 years, we’ve watched the industry move through:
Drafting → CAD → BIM → Coordination → Digital Delivery → Connected Information
Each stage has changed how projects are designed, coordinated, and delivered. The technology has evolved, and it will continue to evolve.
But the fundamental requirement hasn’t changed.
Projects still need accurate, coordinated, and usable information.
Whether that information is created in CAD, developed in Revit, connected through a Common Data Environment (CDE), exchanged through OpenBIM standards, or increasingly accessed through AI, its value ultimately depends on its quality, reliability, and usability.
The future of BIM may look different. The need for good information doesn’t.
As Autodesk continues its journey toward Forma, the businesses best positioned for success will be those that focus not only on technology, but on the people, processes, and information that underpin successful project delivery.
Draftech – Your Project, Our Expertise
Testimonials
Just taking a moment to thank you for your efforts on the ECI. What we produced in a short period was fantastic
Martin O’Donovan Envar Engineers
Fantastic team to work with. Thank you to everyone at Draftech for your support on this fast-paced Tier 1 project. The collaboration with Precision BIM was a great success, and we look forward to working together again soon.
Dion Barker Precision BIM
Draftech stands out through their collaborative approach from the outset, excellent value for the services they provide, and strong understanding of client BIM project information requirements. They consistently align with project expectations and deliver practical, high-quality outcomes that support successful project delivery.
Brendan Meikle ADCO
Thanks very much for your support with the As-Built Models. It’s been really refreshing to work with someone as self-sufficient and diligent as you.
Brenton Sonego ADCO
Expedient and efficient drafting with professional-level service.
Philip Finch Envar Engineers
Thank you for all your efforts on our projects; they have been an invaluable contribution to their success. We look forward to working with you on future projects.
Ian Ferguson MPM Group
Jess and Karl at Draftech were amazing. The communication from the start was prompt, and the entire process was extremely easy. We needed their knowledge on Air Schematics, and they had made one up for our buildings that we service. Thanks so much, and we will be using you guys in the future. Cheers, Air Control Australia.
Greg Colebrook AirControl Australia
With Draftech’s thorough understanding of building services modelling and close attention to detail, Forth has been afforded the opportunity to outsource some of our BIM projects with absolute confidence in the accuracy of the final product.
Gary Murdoch Forth Consulting
Very professional and efficient organization. Delivered a great product to a tight deadline.
ACE Power
Karl and the team are very professional and have a vast knowledge of BIM coordination.
Dwayne Willaims Babinda Electrics
We had multiple large projects with tight deadlines and needed a company we could trust. The teams delivery, attention to detail and understanding of what is being designed is always executed to a high standard.
Martin O’Donovan Envar Engineers
Draftech offered a flexible and reliable approach to working collaboratively with our team. They met our expectations and quality requirements and also offered up new ideas.
Draftech have proven to be a valuable and trustworthy resource and we will continue to work with Draftech on other projects.
Simon Marsden Umow Lai
Draftech is different from others in the professionalism and features they provide.
The ability to walk through projects in real time online provides invaluable insight into problem areas and helps provide an efficient resolution on the spot without many phone calls, emails and the necessity for us to paw through countless drawings to understand the issues.
Todd Morris Manager - Air mech
Draftech were put forward to FIP Electrical as the solution to Coordinate, Model, carry out clash detection, provide Electrical Services Shop Drawings, as built documentation and completed electrical model.
Simon Thorpe FIP Electrical
In close collaboration Draftech set up all our systems and model deliverables. In this process Draftech have proven to be a valuable resource for us and demonstrated commitment, understanding and professionalism.
David Skelley DJCoalition
Draftech’s attention to detail and proactive nature throughout the project assisted us in identifying issues before becoming evident on site, saving us both time and unexpected costs.
Matt Payne PJM Engineering Services
They delivered very high quality Revit models and associated 2D documentation at key milestones, working to a tight budget and in strict accordance with the Architects’ BIM requirements.
Peter Thomas Geoff Hesford
We found Draftech’s work to be of high standard and the team delivered exactly as agreed, in fact, when we considered the project complete, Draftech put further resources into the project as they were not satisfied.
John Johnson Beca
Engaging Draftech during design gave us the tools to make smart decisions.
Hansen Yuncken Design Manager - Michael Harkins
The drafting service is timely, reliable and fit for purpose for the built environment.
Peter Harvey Harvey Industries
Draftech stands apart from other drafting services that we have previously used in their attention to detail and ability to adapt to the individual client’s requirements.
Doug Holt McCaig Aircon
I can confidently recommend Draftech as a solid and reliable supplier, and experts in their field. I look forward to working with them again in the near future.
Chris Behan Norman Disney & Young
After seeing the benefits Draftech provided us on the Townsville Hospital Redevelopment we have set up a relationship with Draftech and intend to continue to use their BIM knowledge and skills for our future projects.
Brad Lund Energy Power Systems
Draftech has no competition as they are in a class of their own.
John Boyes Babinda Electrics
Draftech Developments Drafting and Design Capabilities, in conjunction with their outstanding level of Client service and support has provided great solutions to our engineering and Drafting Design portions within our Gorgon Barrow Island Project.
Aaron Hazelton Applied Electro Systems Pty Ltd
Draftech set up necessary systems and workflows very quickly, but also setup auditable estimating and weekly cost tracking processes that we utilised, requiring little maintenance.
TOM PURDON MPM GROUP
