Ron Heims, Director of Practice Innovation, RDG Planning & Design

Talk Description
At RDG, Ron Heims is building custom low-code, AI-powered apps that solve real, specific problems inside his firm—starting with project data capture. His latest app makes it easy for senior project leaders to quickly review and update key project metrics—like construction cost, square footage, schedule, scope, and client goals—by pulling in existing data from systems like Deltek and prompting them to confirm or revise.

But the app goes deeper: it also enables leaders to speak freely about the story behind the project—design ideas, key challenges, and owner objectives—with AI transcribing and structuring those insights automatically. By combining structured data review with freeform voice capture, RDG is closing the gap between hard numbers and the narrative context that’s often lost.

Ron will share how he approaches app-building as a technically fluent non-developer, how he partners with internal teams to target high-impact workflow gaps, and why these lightweight, firm-specific tools are proving more effective than one-size-fits-all software.

Speaker Bio
Ron Heims is a Principal and the Director of Practice Innovation at RDG Planning & Design, a multi-disciplinary design firm. With over 30 years of experience leading technology initiatives, Ron has been instrumental in shaping the firm’s forward-thinking approach to integrated design and digital transformation. His leadership bridges the gap between practice and technological advancement, driving strategies that elevate collaboration, efficiency, and innovation across disciplines. Ron’s passion lies in leveraging emerging technologies to enhance design outcomes and future-proof the firm’s operations in an ever-evolving industry.

Christopher Parsons of Knowledge Architecture interviews Roh Heims of RDG Planning & Design at KA Connect 2025.

Q+A Timeline

00:00 What is the user experience design process?
01:21 Do you create mocks or prototype in the platform?
01:50 What's the learning curve for creating these apps?
03:37 Are there security concerns entering data into Glide as opposed to the database?
04:46 How do users find and navigate all the apps?
05:07 Do users need invites, or can they browse apps?
06:55 What's the next app?
09:28 What share of your time goes to app building?
10:26 Can you meet the demand for RDG apps at this pace?
11:26 Since this is built on Deltek Vision, how will you handle switching platforms?
13:12 How do you balance tech debt with current needs?
15:09 Will your CRM integrate with Outlook, calls, etc?
16:57 What limitations have you hit in Glide Apps?
20:34 Is low code a risk to data quality or safety?