In an industry where projects can last for years and equipment purchase decisions have multi-year impacts, rapid change can significantly increase the risk for contractors, owners and designers. In partnership with industry experts, ACE was formed as a mechanism to assist the construction industry in assimilating technological change and research innovations that will invariably impose themselves upon the industry. ACE is also a "think tank" for industry professionals to identify, define and resolve industry problems. Dedicated to the improvement of productivity, quality, profitability and effectiveness of the construction industry, members of ACE promote research; collect, analyze, manage and disseminate information; and provide continuing education and training that firms and practitioners do not have the capacity to do on their own.