Finding Clarity in Surveying with Digital Tools – by Jose Sáa

At DIMEA, we want to highlight the people who are shaping the future of infrastructure. One of them is Jose Sáa, Survey Manager at Acciona, whose career has taken him across highways, light rail, and bridges. Here’s his perspective – in his own words.

Why I Chose Surveying

Surveying has always been about connecting the dots between design and reality – making sure what is built on site matches what was planned.

What drew me to this field is the mix of precision and problem-solving. Every project starts with a plan on paper, but it only becomes meaningful once it is translated into the ground, into structures people will actually use. That transition – from design to reality – is where surveyors play a critical role.

Over the years, I’ve worked on highways, light rail, and bridges, and one thing has always been true: every day brings new challenges. Some are technical, others are about people, coordination, and trust. That variety is what keeps me motivated – and what makes surveying such an essential part of any project.

From Chaos to Clarity

A few years ago, I was managing a 20-kilometer highway project in New Zealand with more than 40 machines on site. They came from different vendors – Topcon, Leica, Trimble – and keeping them synchronized was nearly impossible.

Subcontractors added another layer of complexity. I needed a way to bring all this information into one environment.

That’s when I came across Infrakit. At first, it was just curiosity. Later, on my current project in Australia, I finally got to see its full potential.

With just a couple of clicks I can share the latest design with engineers, supervisors, and subcontractors. Suddenly, everyone is working from the same information, in real time. Engineers now use it for staging decisions, supervisors check designs in the field on their phones, and some even asked me to put Infrakit in their cars.

Building Trust Through Simplicity

The biggest benefit? Simplicity and trust.

Instead of chasing emails or worrying about outdated files, everything is there in one place. That saves time, prevents mistakes, and makes collaboration much easier.

At first, some colleagues – especially surveyors – saw digital tools as a threat. But once they realized these tools actually made their work easier, they changed their minds.

Instead of being called for every small task, surveyors can now focus on the important work, while others handle routine checks themselves. That’s a win for everyone.

The Future I Believe In

If I can share one message with other surveyors, it’s this: don’t be afraid to try new tools. Start with something simple – like sharing designs and as-builts in a common platform – and you’ll quickly see the value.

Digital tools won’t replace surveyors; they’ll make us stronger, more efficient, and more trusted on site.

This is the future I believe in: one login, one shared environment, and everything connected. We’re not there yet, but every project brings us closer.

— Jose Sáa