Technology in construction is a familiar concept. However, while building information modeling (BIM) has been around for some time, construction in general has been slow to embrace the digital world and what it has to offer in the same way that does advanced manufacturing. In fact, construction ranks above agriculture only in terms of how digitally behind the curve it is.
This might be understandable in terms of construction. Build things on construction sites using manual labor.
Times are changing, however, and the sector needs to modernize. Construction technology, in particular digitization and automation, will play a vital role in this effort. Mark Farmer, author of the “Modernize or Die” report and founding director and CEO of consulting firm Cast, wrote a few years ago that very few companies “have really latched onto the one change agent that can to all these problems in one fell swoop: next-generation technology and the impact of increasingly digitized workflows.”
Now more are doing it, and while it’s likely to be a slow process, there are things businesses can do to keep up with the latest developments and be competitive.
Digital vision based on long-term strategic priorities
Construction has long used various forms of automation and digital technology, such as robotics and design software. But the rapid pace of change means companies need to focus on what they need technology to do for them in the future.
According to Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the COVID-19 pandemic has made digital transformation “more urgent, with companies looking to improve their agility, speed and data-driven decision-making”.
BCG highlights the need to manage talent and build digital skills; transform the ways of working; create a digital and data platform to pave the way for digital transformation; and what he calls “governing for value…bringing together the business and technology aspects of a company and how to lead transformation from the top.”
When planning a digital journey, it helps to appoint an internal “digital champion” – someone who understands the power of what digital can do and helps facilitate buy-in when wider implementation occurs. They can help manage change, inspire others and support others through the process. process
Strengthen cyber security skills
As the construction industry becomes increasingly digital, and with the global construction and design software market worth $9.6 billion by 2021, cybercriminals’ interest in the industry will inevitably increase.
Last year, the global construction industry was the number one industry hit by ransomware attacks, a hacker-induced computer virus that holds a device hostage until the owner pays a fee to regain access.
Construction’s attraction to hackers centers on the industry’s slow transition to digital, the abundance of shared networks, numerous forms of payment transactions, and the lack of compliance and regulatory safeguards.
When it comes to cybersecurity for construction companies, Bluebeam advocates a model of shared responsibility. Multiple stakeholders need to be involved to ensure that cyber defenses are as protective and effective as possible.
These collective protection measures offer the most secure defenses against the evolving threat of cybercriminals.
Improvement of digital skills and related processes
How does a company develop a digital strategy? How can you better take advantage of the potential offered by digital and other technologies? As adoption is not universal in the construction industry, being open to this potential and recognizing where technology can take the business is key.
Adaptability is essential. According to consulting firm Deloitte, an adaptive business is typically based on digital technology. For many organizations, digital transformation efforts follow automatically.
But Deloitte also points out that many transformations fail because companies find it challenging to drive cross-functional change and plan beyond one technology at a time and develop a strategy that can last as technology evolves and basic organizational assumptions change.
As the Construction Industry Training Board explains in its report, ‘Unlocking the Digital Future of Construction’, ‘developing flexible attitudes, creative and problem-solving mindsets and a range of other softer skills alongside understanding technology and data could help the industry make great strides in its digital transformation and potentially reduce some of the cultural and structural barriers to adoption.”
Commitment to the cloud
The cloud is a relative newcomer to construction, but its industry-wide adoption is gaining momentum, and it’s clear to see why.
As digital technology connects people, demands for data storage and sharing will increase. The cloud offers ways to collect and store data from technology, such as drones and other devices, in ways unthinkable a generation ago.
The cloud also helps facilitate flexible working practices, allowing people to access documents and plans.
Having the right technology, backed by regular internal engagement and positive reinforcement about benefits, can help organizations bridge the gap with their teams and make remote building possible.
Advances in construction automation
Just as automation has helped the automotive and manufacturing sectors improve productivity, process automation in the construction world can have a significant impact on workflows and project outcomes .
Robots, artificial intelligence, 3D printing technology and drones can make project assessments easier and more complete, while online collaboration and seamless document sharing can have a important role in ensuring that a project moves forward smoothly and efficiently.
Automating redundant and cost-inefficient processes helps businesses of all sizes adapt to evolving customer needs while meeting growing business expectations. And while automation helps people do their jobs more efficiently, it also creates opportunities to do things more impactfully, which in turn creates greater job satisfaction.
The hybrid workplace
The model of how we work has fundamentally changed, thanks in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Workplaces changed during COVID-19 as people’s movements were restricted. Now that these restrictions have been lifted, many of us want to continue with the flexibility to work in a convenient location.
Employers recognize the benefits of this approach and, where possible, do their best to accommodate staff wishes.
Creating a workplace where hybrid schedules are not only allowed, but enjoyed, takes planning. Technology that gives everyone access to the same tools that office workers have is critical.
Cloud-based software means everyone on the team can access the latest information, and video conferencing tools mean your team can meet from anywhere, anytime.
While leaders must demonstrate that it is acceptable to work from home, the emphasis is on “hybrid” work; it is important for companies to allow both face-to-face and remote participation in team meetings.
A commitment to sustainability
Sustainability might not be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to digital work practices.
However, as observers point out, it should permeate all aspects of a modern construction business, including information technology.
Some argue that a wholesale overview of the likely impact of digital operations on the wider environment is vital, and then commit to goals and measure progress towards them.
A long-term goal would be to share the findings and experiences with others to increase their impact.
It’s also worth noting that many of those who work from home and use digital infrastructure will be responsible for carbon emissions.
When comparing the carbon output of 200 employees at WSP consultancy between commuting and home/office heating, it was found that working in the office in winter and working at home in summer can lead to a global reduction in carbon emissions.
Some companies also work with renewable energy providers or give benefits to employees so they can buy energy-efficient appliances to reduce energy consumption at home.
Talent training, recruitment and retention
Enthusiastic and talented staff are the foundation of any company. In times of change, ensuring existing staff are motivated and well-trained is essential, and never more so than when a business is moving into a digitized and technology-enhanced future.
Companies seeking a strategy involving digital and technology development should identify, either from within their ranks or through a specialized recruitment plan, potential digital champions, people who understand the importance of technology and what it can do in terms of business transformation.
Once the digital policy has been incorporated, it is recommended to hire a digital build head, whose duties would include overseeing a competitor benchmarking exercise and drawing up a three-year digital build strategy for to the approval of the executive.
Outcomes are the most important aspect of a change in technology, and staff and management need to see the adoption of digital ways of working as a journey towards a tangible end rather than something that is new and new
Integration with your supply chain
Consulting firm McKinsey has described data as the lifeblood of a business and argued that it should be treated as such.
McKinsey argues that the operating system that links a range of data will be crucial. A sensor that detects that a piece of equipment is defective should link that data to an inventory system, checking to see if a spare part is available. More data will determine if a maintenance team can replace the defective item. Supplier pricing data must track item and labor costs, along with billing data, to ensure the correct customer is billed and payment is tracked.
Farmer said the ability to digitally connect design to a supply chain with automated ordering, manufacturing and payment processes will begin in closed, vertically integrated supply chains aligned with specific delivery platforms.
Technology, whether in the form of software packages designed to improve collaboration and quality or new hardware products that save time and money, will clearly play a critical role in advancing the construction industry’s ability to respond to the challenges facing societies today and tomorrow.
Climate change, the growing need for new homes and infrastructure, and how the built environment can better meet the needs of a growing population worldwide is in the spotlight for the sector, and technology will help advance its cause
By Hamish Champ
