The construction industry’s digital transformation is reshaping how projects are managed, executed, and reported. This revolution is being fuelled by a sizeable appetite for construction technology, with the sector seeing investment of around $50 billion between 2020 and 2022.
The uptick in digital adoption is characterised by the increasing blend of in-office and onsite operations, driven by a need for efficiency, accuracy, and streamlined workflows. Digital technologies, from collaborative Cloud management platforms to digital twins, are at the forefront of this shift in momentum, offering innovative solutions to traditional construction challenges including efficiency, productivity and sustainability.
A dynamic industry
The construction industry is already using a range of digital technologies to manage and improve the efficiency of projects. For instance, building information modelling (BIM), which harnesses computer aided design technology to digitally represent structures, is used by over three-quarters of civil engineers to create and manage digital design assets. Meanwhile, a survey by Dodge Construction Network found half its respondents now use the tool on 50% or more of their projects.
With the introduction of other new technologies, AR being the most prominent, we’re seeing new applications for solutions like BIM emerge. For instance construction workers can now visualise mm-accurate holograms of BIM design models against real structures to detect discrepancies in real-time.
Digital reporting has caught on
The digitisation of construction also goes beyond design and build processes, with data becoming increasingly structured. Traditional reporting methods, from physical paper forms to offline spreadsheets, are giving way to online documentation and digital platforms which offer immediate data capture, centralised information management and Cloud-based backups. Cloud management platforms also offer streamlined reporting, minimise clerical errors and enhance decision-making and collaboration among stakeholders across often disjointed project supply chains.
Now, the most effective reporting software offers customisable templates that cater to the unique needs of each project, as well as integration with other software solutions. Telematics to monitor and report on assets is another trend influencing how construction teams gather and manage data.
Entering the IoT era
The construction industry’s digitalisation is now entering into a connected era, drawing on the capabilities of AI and IoT. Smart devices linked to Cloud platforms and building information management software are enhancing collaboration and data flow across teams, offering newfound insights into operational efficiency and increased automation and productivity.
For example, Computer Vision, a technology that brings AI to life by analysing images, can be used to autonomously monitor sites and identify safety risks or inefficiencies. AI can also handle project data, managing resources like budgets, materials, and energy or automate scheduling. AI even has applications within design models, harnessing data from onsite sensors to create digital twins of structures.
These dynamic digital models reflect ongoing design changes; used in simulations to help predict potential challenges, ensuring any new work undertaken fits existing specifications.
Keeping up with the times
However, the drive towards a more productive high-tech future is undeniable, with over 70% of construction specialists recognising it as a top priority. Digital tools are essential for navigating the complexities of modern construction, improving efficiency and reducing errors.
Digitalisation now touches every aspect of construction, even spilling into the regulatory framework and compliance with it. Increasingly stringent building safety regulations, particularly that arising from the UK’s Building Safety Act 2022, now require a digital breadcrumb trail of information to demonstrate compliance with standards. Fortunately, intuitive online reporting and document management within Cloud management platforms means a golden thread can be achieved throughout projects, making management of safety information easier.
Despite the clear benefits of digital adoption, the construction industry still faces barrier, from financial constraints and skills shortages to more technical issues such as interoperability and application relevance. We urgently need to overcome these if we want to prevent redundancy and decline.
We must shift from the foundational ‘why’ to the intricate ‘how’ of technology adoption. Firms are looking for user-friendly, cost-effective solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing systems and meet project-specific needs. They do, thankfully exist! So there’s no real excuse not to be investing upgrading your techstack to stay ahead of the curve.
Don’t get left behind. Ultimately, the potential for enhanced efficiency, productivity, and greater compliance makes it a crucial endeavour for your business’ the sector’s future growth. So what are you waiting for?
Rob Norton is UK Director of software company PlanRadar.
