BIM or Building Information Modeling is rapidly becoming the “must-have” process for planning, designing, coordinating, constructing, and maintaining infrastructure around the world. As most here would know, BIM is an intelligent 3D modeling process that provides architects, designers and construction and development professionals with a tool to efficiently plan, design, and construct infrastructure.

Benefits of using BIM:

· Easy coordination and collaboration.

· Better choices are made earlier in the process.

· Projects progress can be tracked more comprehensively.

·Reduces construction site clashes and risks that may lead to delays during construction.

BIM or Building Information Modeling framework not only contains the design or structure of a building but also the information related to the properties of various components, its construction, and maintenance. Construction companies expect that BIM will transform how project teams work and it does just that. BIM works on the principles of – implement, enable, and execute:

1. Implement:

• Standards and procedures

• Technology

• Modeling content

2. Team enablement:

• Training and education

• Define and share objectives

3. Project execution:

• Program coordination

• Model administration

• Knowledge transfer

Steps to follow while building your  BIM infrastructure:

Step 1: Start at the ground level:

Get all the equipment in order. It is important to ensure that all the infrastructure and software are up to date and can support BIM. This includes the workflows and processes for gathering information on an ongoing basis and for disseminating insights regularly. The following questions could be taken into consideration:

• Can the systems handle the amount of data required to make the BIM software impactful?

• Is the computing infrastructure ready and available?

• Are the processes, workflows, and systems created keeping in mind the time it would take to capture data, process it, build the model, and distribute the information?

There are some practical considerations to factor in too. For instance, data storage for large projects could become a significant consideration. As BIM utilizes a large amount of information, it is important to ensure that all the information stays secure yet easy to access.

Step 2: Get to know BIM:

Assign a team of employees to learn and understand more about BIM. The focus should be, not only, on how BIM works but also on how it influences how a team works? It is essential to gain a contextual understanding of BIM, its methodologies, and its implementation.

Step 3: Assemble the right team:

Like most initiatives, it’s good to start the BIM journey with a limited scope pilot. And, like most initiatives, the success of the project depends on the right talent available. It is important to pick the right set of individuals to drive the pilot project. Here are a few qualities to look for in a candidate for the pilot BIM project:

• Experience in 3D design or has BIM exposure.

• Understands the traditional structural plan and construction management process.

• Acknowledges data and modeling techniques.

• Willing to learn new software and systems quickly.

• Able to coach other team members.

Step 4: Develop a management plan:

Adopting BIM calls for changes across various parts of the organization. Adopting a BIM strategy introduces complexity into areas beyond just the engineering drawing department. This has been called a cultural change by many. The new way of working is more transparent and well-documented. This calls for accountability and collaboration. So, the management plan to roll out BIM across the construction enterprise would have to consider several crucial questions like:

• How do the impacted teams envision BIM changing the established workflows?

• Who will require training, and when will the training be provided?

• How will the questions and issues of the employees be solved? What will be the hand-holding process? Who will be the BIM champion who inspires everyone else to come on board?

As you can see, ongoing support is the most significant item. Organizational change will happen faster and be all the more effective when the employees will adopt new approaches for working.

In that context, a significant challenge is, how to get the employees on-site to use the data and insights provided from the BIM models?  Management strategies to drive up adoption may become crucial to ensuring success.

Step 5: Document the progress:

Once the initial setup is over and processes defined, it’s crucial to capture the learnings and keep track of ongoing progress. Here are a couple of ideas to note down:

• Project data, including key contacts.

• Processes that develop to manage file exchanges, kick-off meetings, and quality control.

• The impact of BIM in defining the vision for site design and analysis.

• The impact of BIM on improving cost estimation for materials and operations.

Step 6: Get your team to speed:

The next step in the BIM transformation is leveraging the foundation already prepared. The most significant instrument of change will be the employees who have seen the magic. These BIM champions can advocate for adoption across the organization. Motivate them to provide support to the rest of the team. On-the-job training for the team members is crucial as they make the transition easy for the employees as they learn the new tool and collaboration techniques.

Step 7: Expand and innovate with BIM:

Then comes the continuous improvement phase. The aim here is to get more from the BIM strategy. Ask yourself how you can:

• Detect issues in construction and structure early and fix them beforehand.

• Demonstrate and optimize construction schedules with less material waste.

• Deliver projects on schedule and under budget.

• Control and streamline communication between all partners with one model.

• Manage and maintain facilities post-construction.

Each of these advantages will help you construct a better structure and increase profitability.

As BIM technology continues to advance and become more dominant, construction organizations know that they must prepare their teams to adapt to these changes. Change is never easy, and a step-by-step guid is the most likely approach to achieve success.

Digital transformation has swept into the construction industry, with powerful solutions like BIM experiencing widespread adoption. Reports state the BIM market may grow at a CAGR of 15% in the next 4 years. In a sector where challenges across profitability, project management, worker safety, and risk management are rife, BIM opens up new ways of approaching the design and documentation of various types of building projects. By delivering an intelligent digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility, it empowers designers, installers, and cost consultants to take a comprehensive view of the actual elements of a construction project. This has long been known to help companies optimize material costs, plan (and deliver) projects better, and be more sustainable. This post isn’t about that though. It’s about how BIM can help them win more bids!

Read on to find out how!

Opening doors to a new way of project management

BIM is so much more than just a point technology system; it is a complex design and construction platform that provides architects, engineers, and construction professionals the insight and tools needed to plan, design, construct, and manage the infrastructure while creating innovative buildings of the future.

The numerous benefits BIM offers are well known, but bear repeating just the same for the impact they could have on bid preparation and economic success:

• Improves communication and collaboration between construction workers and managers while paving the way for greater efficiency making time estimates easier and more predictable.
• Enhances estimation across materials, shipping, labor, and more – making costs more predictable and manageable
• Eliminates on-site rework, saves time thereby keeping committed schedules on track, budgets in check, and maximizing ROI
• Streamlines the construction workflow while reducing the chances of human error, project delays, and costly repairs making it easier to bid with confidence
• Supports easy interoperability and flexibility, and facilitates customization for higher quality results thus increasing the transparency of progress monitoring and providing early warnings of things going off track and the reason for the delay
• Aids in the timely and successful execution of complex construction projects by improving communication between all the stakeholders and establishing a single frame of reference

Shorter project lifecycles = more opportunities to close

Of all the capabilities that modern BIM systems offer, the key promise of the solution in the context of making plans and estimates is the same: to shorten the construction project lifecycle and bring predictability to the process. This means many things:

• Better collaboration: BIM technology is key to bagging more projects in an increasingly competitive industry. Cloud-based BIM solutions allow designers and engineers to unlock efficiencies through a centralized project management system.   By always staying on the page, they can be updated about the latest timelines and budget, work together to resolve errors in real-time while avoiding costly mistakes and reducing rework. Fewer errors and rework can help construction companies project a more professional image and build customer trust that can lead to stronger ongoing relationships.
• A single source of truth: Since all relevant information, including models, estimates, and design notes are stored in a single repository, architects and engineers no longer have to engage in back-and-forth calls and emails to discuss issues and opportunities. They can refer to a single source of truth to make critical decisions and improve the speed and efficiency with which they bring projects to closure. Providing this degree of transparency about ongoing work to the project owners (developers, government agencies, etc.) can be a great differentiator.
• Standardized workflows: Through streamlined workflows, BIM helps in creating and managing all of the information on a project – before, during, and after construction. Such standardization eliminates the need for engineers to depend on manual or repetitive tasks to progress the project through its lifecycle, helping accelerate the speed and accuracy with which projects are completed. The project owners get access to the most complete and updated information at all times in an easy to visualize manner, showing you in the best possible light.
• Streamlined risk management: The ability to construct buildings based on the most up-to-date plans and workflow makes visualizing problems easier. Since BIM allows contractors to virtually construct projects, they are in a better position to identify roadblocks and plan for workarounds – before construction starts. You can not only predict potential construction hazards; they can also prevent them by adjusting the design. This is an obvious advantage for project delivery, but highlighting problems early in the cycle in such a transparent manner can also help the project owners make decisions on project expansions, future phases, etc., and open up new opportunities.
• Faster construction: Because BIM allows companies to create interactive models that clearly state how the project will look in the real world, it enables better visualizations and transparent project details. Because these models are a true reflection of the actual project, it helps in removing doubt while enabling faster decision-making. Companies can accelerate the design process while saving substantial time in construction. What’s more, finishing a project on time (or before time) speeds up eventual ROI as the structure can be used immediately. Your reputation improves, resources get freed up, and cash flows get unlocked, all of which can help in getting more business.

Obviously, there is no doubt about the fact that BIM delivers immense value to construction companies: right from improved quality and function of design, increased understanding of solutions, better collaboration and documentation, better planning, improved productivity, and more. BIM 3D models and real-world representations make it easy to visualize the project. These benefits help in eliminating the chances of construction issues, delays, and rework, and allowing companies to finish projects faster, but BIM also helps companies win more bids, and set themselves up for success.

The repercussions of COVID-19 are being felt the most in the construction industry.

Some construction projects had to be delayed, while some got canceled due to the shortage of supplies such as structural steel and glass that usually comes from Asia.

Also, unlike other industries where the workforce can work remotely, construction projects required workers to work on-site.

Typically, construction companies do not rely heavily on digital tools as they are risk-averse and fragmented in nature. However, the pandemic has compelled them to leverage technology more. For example, McKinsey observed that designers and engineers are increasingly using Building Information Management (BIM) to manage projects and speed up project delivery.

With vaccines being delivered and the industry preparing for post-pandemic recovery, we foresee technology playing a central role.

Role Of Technology In Post-Pandemic Construction In The USA

1. Cloud-based collaboration tools

Due to social distancing, companies had to resort to using collaboration tools to exchange data and communicate in real-time. An integrated cloud platform enables all stakeholders to share data and information on one platform. It allows them to streamline processes and improve their productivity. The best part is the stakeholders can continue working from remote areas. They do not have to be present at the site. This saves their time and effort in completing the project. Considering that all the information is shared on a unified cloud-based platform, stakeholders can save time in to-and-fro communication and manage enterprise-wide project communications efficiently.

2. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

Contractors can address specific design and inspection tasks remotely by using AR and VR. To begin with, AR can be used to walk the contractors through the site to review it even if they are not present at the site. Onsite too, AR also helps contractors view the finer details of the project. All they have to do is hold a smartphone or tablet with the camera facing the site. They can see the scaled-up version of the site and see things that cannot be viewed through the naked eye. VR, on the other hand, helps contractors to remotely train workers even as they work on the site. Most importantly, AR and VR help companies to save money on costly mistakes by detecting errors ahead of time.

3. BIM The World Economic Forum praised BIM for its contribution to transforming the construction industry during COVID-19. Although BIM has been used by the industry for decades, its benefit became even more apparent during the lockdown. It enabled the stakeholders to continue progress even though they were working from remote areas. They were able to plan projects better, mitigate risks, and streamline operations and maintenance. All the information from the

field was updated in real-time into BIM models, making it easier for the stakeholders to monitor the project’s progress. We anticipate an uptick in the usage of BIM models for smarter planning and designing of the buildings.

4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation

Like every industry, the construction industry also reported productivity concerns due to social distancing norms and lockdowns. Post-pandemic, the construction industry will be under immense pressure to improve its productivity. That’s where AI and automation will help. Companies can leverage AI to automate many of their processes such as scheduling tasks. So, the work can continue even without human intervention. The tasks will be completed on time without any error. AI can also be used to streamline process workflows, do safety inspections, and ensure the overall quality of the project. In a nutshell, AI can help improve the overall process management in the project. According to Accenture, AI can increase industry profits by 71% by 2035.

5. Data analytics

Data analytics empowers companies to gain a competitive advantage. It enables them to analyze historical data and current data and use it to predict important future outcomes. Using data analytics will help companies to anticipate issues and prepare for them to mitigate risks. Given the enormous losses faced by the industry during the pandemic, data analytics will be a perfect option to help companies streamline their processes and fix problems proactively to avoid further losses. It enables the stakeholders to take proactive decisions instead of reactive ones like they are accustomed to doing normally. Apart from that, data analytics helps stakeholders to determine better budgets and schedules aligned with the scope of the project.

Technology will reshape the way the construction industry functions. According to the United States Chamber of Commerce, 70% of contractors believe that using technology will help them improve productivity and the safety of workers. It will enable them to reduce costs, manage projects efficiently, streamline the construction process, and accelerate the speed of delivering the project. With the right choice of technology, support from an expert partner, and the commitment of the workers, construction companies will be more future-ready and better prepared to face situations like the pandemic. A digital transformation could be coming for a so-far traditional industry like construction.

The importance of Building Information Modeling or BIM can no longer be overlooked due to the benefits that it brings to the table. In the USA in particular, it has been implemented in various key construction projects with Wisconsin being the first state to mandate the use of BIM on public projects. This was back in 2009 and within 10 years, many more firms are using the technology to achieve exceptional breakthroughs in the architecture, construction, and engineering niche.

That being said, there’s a talent challenge for the small and mid-sized construction companies. It’s hard for them to hire, retain, and motive BIM resources. This is a strange situation for them. They know that their projects will do better with BIM. But they can’t leverage that power because they don’t have the inhouse skills.

Partners are an option. But truth be told. It’s an uphill task to find and engage a potential BIM partner, who can do a great job irrespective of the scope of the project. To make that choice easier, here are some questions such firms can ask their prospective BIM partner:

Do you have a presence in the USA?

While different countries have implemented BIM, the way how it works from region to region can vary to a great extent. One of the core obstacles in executing BIM in the USA-based projects with a partner is the latter’s know-how of the construction practices in the country. For instance, they should know about the latest trends and developments in terms of materials, design methods, rules, and regulations, etc.

Likewise, it is also important that the BIM partner is located in the same country as this helps co-ordinate better for certain projects. There needs to be effective communication between all the stakeholders be it the clients, the in-house departments, and anyone who is directly or indirectly involved in the projects. This allows more room for transparency and instant responses. And when you along with the BIM partner work in the same time zone, there will be no room for agile decision-making. With a remotely located partner, the communication may not be as smooth. Therefore, hiring a BIM partner with a responsible presence close by will save you a lot of stress down the line.

Do you have end-to-end experience?

More often than not, it is important to find out whether the potential BIM partner has relevant experience in the specific areas that you require help in. BIM can play a role in the design, construction monitoring, renovation and refurbishment, and ongoing facilities management. And how BIM plays a role in each area could be different in subtle as well as profound ways. To get a better perspective, you can ask your prospective BIM partner for their detailed portfolio and understand the core areas in which they have hands-on experience. This will help you assess their skills such as – are they only restricted in carrying out the planning phase best or can also take up the maintenance, design, and post-construction challenges? These questions are essential as a BIM partner with end-to-end experience will help get results across the entire project lifecycle.

What makes you stand apart?

No one wants to work with run-of-the-mill or superficial BIM partners, who will have nothing much to bring to the table. One of the ways to assess this is to check the firm’s relevant experience and skills in the niche, find out about all the projects they have handled so far, take into consideration the complexity of the projects and the standard practices they follow. Partners with experience of large projects will bring a level of expertise and experience that will help you grow your own skills as well. If this is in-sync with your requirements, go ahead with them.

Can you scale up/down?

Rarely do construction projects have a smooth growth phase. They may need scaling up or down from construction phase to the construction phase and on a case-to-case basis too. For example, some projects require a more elaborate initial planning stage while others need more collaboration efforts. Either way, your firm may need more resources or expertise for a while and then may have to scale back. This is where you need a BIM partner who can take care of the scaling and handle any change in the initial plan in an agile fashion. It should be possible for them to ramp up and scale back without compromising on the quality of the resources. With this capability, they will be able to deliver the results within the stipulated timeframes responsively.

Do you implement strict quality control measures?

No one can neglect the quality aspect of the construction and development projects. Issues left unattended today can have massive implications later. And the plans and models that are made with BIM can have an impact on this area too. Some BIM service providers without the richness of experience don’t necessarily implement the required quality control in their projects. Scratch below the surface to understand their quality focus. Ask them for details of their reviews, approvals, and rework processes. Talk to some of their senior folks to understand their viewpoints.

Off to work

These are some of the essential questions that will pave the way to helping you select the best BIM partner. Since it is an important decision that will affect your future projects, make sure that you do your research even before proceeding to contact them. The key is to select a partner who can embrace the ever-changing industry with a futuristic mindset. The aim is to implement tomorrow’s technology today and to keep moving forward!

Construction and development have always been data-intensive; however, the quantity of data streams is multiplying. Integration implies the process of creating a whole from the sum of its parts. In construction, this spans the gamut of activities from collaborative working practices to how data from unique sources can be brought together for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

For contractors, bringing data about project plans together with cost and quantities is tricky enough, particularly in a profession subject to the unexpected in terms of weather extremes, economic shocks, and planning challenges. Helping clients to see ahead and plan their myriad “imagine a scenario in which” prospects effectively has always been important.

Thanks to BIM, integrating such information into a construction-ready model is now possible. In fact, it is often the starting plan framework. This is apparent to construction companies in the USA, including even the small and mid-sized companies in the space.

The goal of better designed, more sustainable, and lower cost “digital” buildings is praiseworthy. Yet, the expertise challenge this creates can be tough to overcome for small and medium construction companies in centers away from Silicon Valley and similar locations.

These companies are looking at working with partners to get their BIM initiatives off the ground. Of course, this is a model the software development industry has made popular. The way it works in that scenario is; the software development partner has the skills, the processes, and the ability to scale up or ramp down teams in accordance with the needs of the client.

Of course, this is also a great option for construction companies looking to leverage the power of BIM. However, before embarking on this path, it’s useful to know what could go wrong. That knowledge can help prevent your BIM initiative stalling when it encounters similar headwinds.

Here are 5 things that can go wrong while working with a BIM partner:

1.     Poor communication:

A large number of construction companies that have adopted BIM technology face a peculiar issue in creating an efficient communication channel between the various construction departments working simultaneously on the project. This becomes a key challenge with BIM-driven projects due to the transparency. There is no hiding place – no covering of late information and mistakes. Of course, this is a bigger challenge when the BIM model is coming from a partner, usually located at a remote location.

Therefore, it is necessary to provide a method of project communication that ensures a smooth flow of communication between the BIM provider and the various on-site teams. Seasoned BIM service providers are attuned to such collaborative working. They should help create an impactful communication model to support successful project outcomes needs to be implemented by the management

2.     Lack of end to end experience: 

BIM can impact various aspects of the construction project. It can deliver value in the planning, resource estimation, project management, ongoing monitoring, and, even, ongoing maintenance post-construction. That apart, the data the BIM model can help generate has tremendous value in itself. Clearly, when utilized to the fullest, BIM can help construction projects save significant amounts of time, money, and effort. But that kind of upside is possible only when the BIM partner has the end-to-end expertise to deliver across the entire project lifecycle. Without that experience, the BIM initiative could deliver sub-optimal impact, or, worse, no impact at all.

3.     Lack of experience in large projects:

Gauging the experience of your BIM partner is the most significant step while finalizing the deal. Ask yourself – Does your BIM partner have experience in complex projects? What makes the BIM partner stand apart? How many projects have they worked on? A BIM service provider with that experience will bring greater depth and breadth of expertise. A BIM partner with global experience will bring the best to the table in terms of construction practices, techniques, tools, and technology. A partner without that breadth of expertise will probably fall short when faced with the real-world challenges of construction projects.

4.     Lack of ability to scale:

Do your construction projects go through a smooth and linear growth? Probably not, right? It’s likely that the initial planning stage needs many more resources of a certain type. Once the design is done, those resources can scale back and a different set of resources need to take over. But there’s always the unexpected to plan for. Suppose your project needs a major change in the design you would need to quickly ramp up the resources for a short period of time. Working with a BIM partner can be a challenge if the partner cannot scale up or ramp back teams in sync with your needs. Projects are typically on tight deadlines, so that scaling needs to be quick and responsive. A BIM partner with the ability to scale can accelerate your project delivery and one without that ability can seriously hinder it.

5.     Lack of understanding of the American Construction Industry:

A key challenge in implementing and executing BIM with a partner is the partner’s understanding of the American Construction Industry. The BIM partner needs to stay abreast of the latest developments in construction materials & methods. The partner must have the latest updates about changing government rules & regulations on both state and central levels. A failure to bake that information into the model can have its own downside in terms of lost time.

Every construction project involves a steep investment of cash and human resources. BIM can help you deliver projects more efficiently and effectively but it’s vital to zeroing in on a BIM partner who is the right fit for your organization. Such a partner can help you make the most of the power of BIM for your construction projects.

The role of technology is to simplify working in everyday life. And sure enough, organizations are reaping the benefits from massive digital transformation initiatives underway currently. The construction sector has also seen growing interest in the potential of new technology innovations to disrupt the sector.

The construction industry is fragmented and traditional. Construction industry investments in technology often trail what companies in other industries spend on technology.

Automation in construction technology can lead to several benefits for the construction industry. Some research suggests that as much as 49% of construction tasks could be automated. Be it worker safety or faster completion of work itself, construction technology may have a huge role to play in delivering safer and better construction environments.

Adopting construction technology is today a necessity rather than a choice for construction companies looking to stay relevant and competitive. Many companies have started to take note of the edge that can come from adopting innovative technology for construction.

Here are some ways where construction technology can be a game-changer for the industry, delivering better outcomes, and driving transformational growth:

Improving productivity with software

One area where construction companies struggle commonly is how to constantly ensure that the productivity levels keep improving. With construction technology, this can be addressed. Using mobile apps and cloud technology can foster new levels of collaboration between workers and project managers. Cloud-based software solutions and mobile apps enable on-site workers to update progress, submit time cards, expense reports, ask for information on the go, without wasting too much time in manual paperwork. Using cloud technology helps in streamlining routine work and in turn improving the overall productivity of the team.

Analytics for better decision making

With technology, the construction industry can now closely track and monitor the progress of their construction projects with all the relevant data at their disposal. Data-focused solutions not only help in capturing critical business data but also uncover the hidden patterns, which companies can leverage to predict future outcomes and take timely decisions accordingly. Predictive insights can help construction companies identify potential problem areas and be ready with the solutions, rather than act at the last hour. Connected technology like sensors can be used to track material inventory on the site for greater control and visibility and to reduce downtime by ensuring timely replenishments. Drones and high definition cameras can help to capture data on everyday progress and compare with the schedule and BIM models to track the deviations and address them in time. Analytics-based tracking helps in enhancing transparency and building more accountability into the system.

Augmenting worker safety

A very critical aspect of the construction industry is to ensure the safety of its labor workforce. This is critically important given that 1 in 5 workplace fatalities in the USA occurs on construction sites. Dealing with heavy machinery and laborious processes delivered at risk-prone locations creates a more dangerous work environment. Especially emerging tech like Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality can be implemented at construction sites that will give workers a better idea of what is involved and train them better to achieve the desired output. Safety checklist and use of wearable technology can help in mitigating the risks faced by the construction workers. For example, using sensors at certain important areas can alert workers of any threat to their safety, which helps them act in time and make the right decision on the site. Or a project manager can simply use VR tools to exchange information on on-site progress. The use of drones is also a growing trend in the construction industry to provide more comprehensive visual information about the site for better safety.

Leveraging BIM technology with other technology

Building Information Modeling or BIM is no longer new. BIM offers a collaborative platform to all the stakeholders involved in delivering a construction project. This 3D design software works as a real-time tool where all the concerned people can collaborate and communicate based on a shared model. This creates an organized effort and eliminates clashes at the design stage itself. The sheer detail of the BIM model holds forth great promise when tied into other emerging technologies. For instance, immersive VR technology along with BIM provides a great scope for real-time visual collaboration and learning. BIM can also play a powerful enabling role in offsite construction, modular construction, and 3-D printing.

Efficient project planning

BIM can also be tied synergistically to software solutions like construction ERP solutions and Project Management solutions for a continuous impact on the project. Using BIM tools, integrating AI and ML tech enables construction companies to get deep insights into the project. Companies can plan their project better – in terms of manpower, in terms of inventory, in terms of budgeting and estimation, in terms of execution and safety. Using technology to aid projects results in more sustainable construction as companies not only save precious man-hours spent in doing repetitive tasks but with better planning of resources companies can also control expenditure and eliminate safety hazards. All in all, technology makes way for an efficient and productive project plan.

Construction companies are slowly but surely understanding how technology can make a huge impact in their way of working. Many companies have already moved ahead with their technology investments and are already seeing benefits.

Technology in the construction space is advancing every day and adopting emerging tech will help companies retain their competitive edge. Whether it’s team collaboration, worker safety, sharing critical information, or tracking project progress, technology can help in all areas to deliver a transformation in the construction landscape.

The upsurge of technological adoption in the construction industry has been rapid. The construction sector has become less shy of adopting mobility as well as modern tech such as ERP and BIM to improve processes, streamline projects, and make building construction sustainable. These modern tools are bringing together stakeholders belonging to the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sub-fields and improving planning, estimation, collaboration, and tracking/monitoring. The construction industry is evolving without a doubt. But the rise of technology has a hidden entry barrier. When it comes to the ability of construction companies to attract and hire technology talent, the construction industry pales in comparison to the Silicon Valley giants or tech startups along the east and the west coasts.

Hiring tech talent has always been a rocky road for construction companies but it’s high time the old-world perception of the construction industry changes. In this article, let’s have a look at what makes hiring tech talent harder for construction companies and what exactly they can do about it.

Why is it harder for construction companies to hire tech talent:

   Competition with other tech players

When we talk about tech talent, either fresh out of college or seasoned and experienced, the first image that strikes our mind is a millennial working in a modern, glamorous office space, enjoying work flexibility in terms of hours and physical presence. When a construction company sets out to hire tech talent, they are basically competing with a sea of startups and companies from established tech centers. Beating these well-branded companies that have heavily urbanized tech centers and culture for innovation, to find and retain the best tech that would be interested in working for construction tech is not a cakewalk for sure. To add to the challenge, as the pandemic has driven more and more tech companies open themselves up to location-independent remote talent, even the people from the smaller towns who used to look for jobs in construction have become hard to hire.

   Lack of flexibility

Millennials are the largest segment of the workforce in the USA and in the next decade, the millennials will form around 75% of the global workforce. For them, it is necessary to have a culture that accommodates flexibility- be it with flexible working hours, telecommuting, or fully-remote working. The construction companies do not fit in the traditional image of being ‘flexible’, something which is gradually becoming non-negotiable for the modern employees.

Lack of gender diversity

The construction sector overall is known for its rugged image that is perceived to be male-dominated if not entirely male-only. The civil/construction engineering branches have more male students than females and the trend seeps across even when it comes to hiring IT talent. This simply slashes the number of potential candidates available for hire. For millennials and Gen Z, workplace diversity is critical, in fact, around 83% said it is something they look out for when choosing their employer. Moreover, having a diverse tech team that employs women along with a background in tech can usher in the much-needed innovation in the construction industry.

   Lack of innovation

Although now actively using modern tech, the construction sector has been pretty old-fashioned when it comes to fostering innovation. In fact, many of the elemental innovations or ideas that can redefine the impact of construction come from people with a non-construction background. For example, Elon Musk was the first one to propose the construction of underground roadways and the development of a heavy-duty, highly sophisticated tunnel-boring machine to combat LA traffic, an idea that was barely considered by the construction companies across the countries, Innovation and development programs to drive career growth are key factors that determine the employee experience, especially for a modern workforce. The reluctance of construction companies to innovate, embrace modern tech, and reform its organizational culture overall is one of the major reasons why tech talent shies away from joining a construction company.

What the construction companies can do about it:

   For attracting the talent

To begin with, “glamourizing” the construction sector and changing the prevailing ‘dusty’ image of the construction companies is essential in attracting tech talent. This includes infrastructural as well as cultural changes- more modern office spaces, visible technology adoption, workplace diversity, and flexibility are all important. With COVID-19 creating the need for remote working, construction companies are also opening up to the concept of the same, and hence hiring no longer needs to be geo-specific. Construction companies can now affirm that employees can be equally productive when ‘working from home’ provided they are provided with the right tech to connect and collaborate remotely. Embracing automation, reducing the dependency on manual work, and using modern productivity and collaboration tools to streamline remote working can further help in attracting tech talent. Incentivizing performance, offering learning opportunities, and creating lucrative performance-based pay packages at par with non-construction companies can be monumental in attracting tech talent.

   Retaining the talent

Talent retention is as important as talent acquisition, especially for construction companies where tech talent is hard to find. Modern employees today want to associate with organizations that foster employee development through innovative programs, opportunities for upskilling, and learning. Construction companies need to bring in a cultural change to retain employees- through mentorship programs, team activities and acknowledging workplace diversity- for women as well as underrepresented communities. Purpose has never been more important -to the growth of the company as well as to the employees.  Emphasizing tech-driven initiatives will of course be critical.

Looking in the pool of talented individuals, companies have to fight hard to land the best of the lot. Construction companies in particular need to stay ahead of the game when hiring tech talent and these pointers could help them get the people who could help them become more effective and impactful.

We all know that sites are vulnerable to fall risks, environmental hazards, and electricity mishaps among others. In fact, a survey by National Health Institutes (USA), shows that 15% of the total expenditure by companies, goes to cover the cost of construction injuries. The survey also suggests that the construction industry has almost 70% higher nonfatal injuries than any other industry. No wonder, safety assurance for workers, contractors, and other personnel, have always been critically important for Construction Companies.

But the recent pandemic has made the situation even worse. Along with the existing risks at construction sites, there’s now the fear of COVID infection. State and local governments are allowing construction companies to resume their projects. However, measures like social distancing, contact tracing, consistent risk assessments have become necessary. These add to the caution overhead. Therefore, construction companies need to be aware of the new safety mandates at construction sites.

First, let’s clarify that there have always been existing mandates for assuring safety at construction sites. Risk awareness, training for laborers and contractors, strategic communication, protective gear all fall under this umbrella. Technologies like BIM (Building Information Modelling) have been helping construction companies comply with these mandates by allowing them to plan, track and monitor, and record better. It is also true that with safer sites and better plans, companies are also able to finish projects faster.

Now, with a changed mandate at hand, it would be interesting to see how these tech solutions can continue to deliver value.

Let us take a look at these changes and understand how technology can be aligned with them.

• Social Distancing: Social Distancing has to be the topmost on this list. One can expect basic guidelines and norms to prevent physical proximity to already be in place. However, there will be some additional factors that the safety mandate will have to include. Managing surface transmission is one such example. The workers and contractors may come into indirect contact because of surface transmission from the tools and other goods that enter the site. Visits to the worksite will also have to be reduced. Even during an unavoidable visit, everyone involved should be mindful of the necessary safety measures. Any face-to-face contact might also need to be monitored as well as timed. Moreover, the work shifts will have to be planned such that the workforce can commute in off-peak hours. Fortunately, BIM allows various construction and design activities to be carried offsite. Experts can collaborate for such planning. BIM models will also help with pre-planning for the construction. This will help optimize resource requirements and help reduce the on-site crowd to the extent possible.

• Work Accident Risk: With changes in shifts, and additional social distancing measures, the work accident risk might increase. Therefore, it is construction and installation plans must be devised more thoughtfully. Automated safety logistic checks can be run beforehand. This will allow the companies to understand the changed on-site risks. The BIM models, powered with local and retained knowledge, can help the companies customize the construction processes as per the site limitations. Thus, even before the project is ready, the contractors and the workers would be aware of the workplace risks and be able to devise suitable safety measures. With each site having its own limitations, safety mandates can be implemented accordingly.

• Sanitization: This is an extension of the earlier point about surface transmission. The tools and surfaces will have to be regularly sanitized to avoid any such risks. Without a management and monitoring structure in place, this can lead to omissions and increased safety risks. The changed safety mandate would require the companies to devise a cost-effective sanitization plan. Regular deep cleaning might be needed. Provisions will have to be made so that every person or potentially infected surface entering the premises is properly sanitized. The construction companies can, potentially, integrate BIM with their existing decision support systems. This will help them understand and plan material arrivals and labor safety and sanitation measures (LSS). Knowing the number of resources that would need to be deployed in advance can also help companies plan sanitization effectively.

• Contract Tracing: Another big safety need would be to provide for contact tracing. This means, preventing transmission by tracing and assessing the areas and groups that could have been exposed to COVID. If a worker is tested positive, post joining the work, there might be other co-workers and their near ones who might be exposed to the virus. Applications are being developed to allow self-registration and better contact tracing of workers. This will help the companies to monitor their COVID-readiness. They can send suitable alerts in case of any exposure. Contact tracing protocols cannot be avoided especially at a high-risk place like a construction site. Technology can prove to be a big relief and allow construction companies to take more nuanced and targeted actions rather than close the entire site down.

• Team Communication: Improper communication has always been a problem in a high-stress environment like construction sites. With the COVID situation, the stress has escalated manifold. Therefore, it is mandatory for employee safety that the tasks and processes are clearly communicated. Workers that might already be a little anxious about infections, sanitizations, etc., would not want to add to their cognitive load. Proper communication will help ease that burden. BIM essentially condenses much of the stress and fuss related to the job plans, before the work begins. With the help of clear models, companies can better define the upcoming tasks for all the contractors and workers. Therefore, the workplace would be a less stressful place.

• Accident Investigation: The companies will have to be ready for any unfortunate events despite the above-discussed measures. This is an essential mandate that cannot be taken lightly. Provisions to investigate accidents and safety failures will have to be placed at all costs. BIM can help with emergency measures to deal with on-site accidents. It can also provide comprehensive and near real-time data on the site that can assist with analyzing why the accident occurred in the first place.

Projects cannot remain stalled forever. However, construction companies can’t also proceed without adequate safety measures. With newer physical and mental health concerns, the safety mandates will also be refreshed. Technology like BIM can be a powerful ally in this regard. Ultimately, safe workers would construct safer buildings.

It is almost a year since the pandemic emerged and so much has changed. From the way of living to the method of working – everything has moved to the so-called “new normal”.

In this hard time, the construction industry has emerged with strategic intent and resilience but with a raft of new challenges to face. It is also true that the construction industry is facing a volatile time. Home construction is up but commercial construction and infrastructure investments are lower. Construction sites have shut down or are working with reduced staff. Supply chains have been disrupted. And various operational restrictions have been imposed. All this has dramatically pushed the construction industry towards embracing change. The future has never been as close as it seems today!

Getting future-ready

According to the McKinsey Global Institute report, economic activities will only return to 2019 levels by 2023 at the earliest.

Construction companies are being forced to rethink business from the standpoint of being able to leverage technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness. They need to anticipate the changes and make the necessary upgrades. Here are a few ways companies can get future-ready in the new normal.

1. Powerful Technology

Technology is one of the primary components of change in nearly every industry, but the construction industry has been guilty of avoiding technical advancements for a long. However, of late the future of construction technology seems to be brighter than it has been for a while.

In the quest for safety, the construction industry is encouraging its employees to work remotely where possible. For example, engineers and designers are turning to digital tools like building information modeling (BIM), construction planning solutions, project management software, construction ERPs, etc. These solutions are allowing them to support on-site efforts and improve results.

Contractors and engineers are using 4D or 5D simulations to reoptimize schedules and construction plans. Additionally, contractors are seeking customized tools to monitor their employees’ health, managing scarce resources, and reducing on-site work. Today, numerous future construction technology-based solutions are being developed to improve the efficiency of the industry.

Construction companies are looking to build comprehensive technology adoption strategies that address several functional areas in an integrated and comprehensive manner for sustained impact.

2. Investment in Prefabrication and Modular Projects

The concept of prefabrication and modular construction has been popular for a few years now. These concepts deliver speed of delivery, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. In a future that is likely to be resource as well as time-constrained, these are great benefits to aim for.

Of course, the effective implementation of prefabrication and modular construction places greater demands on the planning, documentation, and data accuracy practices of construction companies. It becomes mandatory to set in place technology-based systems that provide accurate, current, and comprehensive data about the construction sites.

3. Sustainable Construction

The construction industry is inevitably moving towards more sustainable construction as a moral imperative. Given the enormous impact of construction on the environment, it’s critical to course correct now. That apart, sustainable construction practices are also sound financially because they help reduce waste, attract new customers, and improve resource utilization.

Sustainable construction is a very broad topic, and various layers are interlinked in it. There are the design and construction of green buildings in which products that have ecological benefits are used to construct a building. There is also the opportunity to leverage technology to plan construction activities better so the process of construction can also be more resource-efficient. Using advanced technologies like data analytics can also play a role here by helping construction companies derive insights from the data at their disposal to become more conscious.

4. Shift in Jobs

The nature of jobs could change due to the increased adoption of technology. With more technology integration, intelligent systems, and smart automation coming into the picture, job roles will morph. Construction companies will require people who can understand technology and deliver outcomes with new-age digital tools. They will have to change business and work processes and hiring practices to incorporate the impact of this technology revolution.

5. Enhanced Safety Concerns

Construction isn’t the safest job in the world. The sector has an outsized share in workplace accidents and fatalities. This is not acceptable. In the future construction technology stack, technology to make sites safer will be prominent. Construction companies will have to adopt a strategic focus on worker safety. Process and practices will have to change. Technology can help here too as numerous apps, wearable devices, and other approaches come together to make a safe construction site for workers.

6. Dynamic Project Management

As construction becomes more complex, project management has to become more comprehensive and agile. Future projects will be delivered by multi-layered teams of specialists that interface with each other at specific points. Companies need to bake in various approaches based on which will benefit their projects before planning the strategy. Construction companies will need to invest in monitoring and tracking tools so that they can manage their project better. Platforms like BIM will become crucial as they provide a single pane of glass to enable a common understanding of the current stage and future scope of each project at all times.

The construction industry has been evolving for some time now, but with the pandemic, the pace of change has intensified. In the future, new technologies, job trends, managerial strategies, and construction methods look set to keep evolving. Construction companies will need to invest in technology to stay relevant in the new normal. Creating a technology strategy and a roadmap could well be the crucial next step construction companies will have to take to ensure the future is secure.