The construction industry may not be an early adopter of technology as compared to other sectors. However, the recent pandemic has compelled them to embrace technology to continue working without flouting the guidelines.

Apart from using collaboration tools, IoT sensors, and cloud-based software to connect with remote teams, the industry has started to significantly ramp up the usage of established technologies like Building Information Management (BIM) more actively too.

BIM adoption has grown to such an extent that Autodesk, one of the leading companies developing BIM software has reported a 350% increase in the global BIM adoption rate ever since COVID-19 compelled the adoptions of different safety standards and a global shift of work from the office to home. According to the Global Building Information Model market report, the BIM market will grow at a CAGR of 11.2% from 2019 to 2026. It is poised to become a market of $9.81 billion by 2026.

BIM is expected to evolve further in the years to come.

As we come to the end of 2020, let’s look at how BIM will continue to evolve in 2021 and how it will benefit the construction industry.

How Would BIM Evolve In 2021?

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

BIM and 3D modeling help clients get a better perspective about how the building model would look, but they would have less visibility into other designing options. AR and VR could change that. They are expected to give greater power to the clients to choose. Brandon Mikeal, a leading BIM engineer, says that architects can use AR to show the various options of a building model on their tablet. It can also be used to catch errors in the models before something is installed at the site. VR can be used to give the client a walkthrough of every part of the building so they can choose the specific features they want. He believes these options could drive sales for construction companies. It will also give them a competitive advantage over other construction companies that don’t make such technology choices.

2. Cloud adoption

It’s natural for clashes and errors to occur as the project moves towards the construction process. Identifying and fixing these clashes is one of the principal value propositions of BIM. For that to happen, all stakeholders must have access to the same data from the site to assess the progress of the project. This ensures a clash-free plan, which in turn saves the time and costs of the contractors on rework. As there are several stakeholders involved in a project, real-time data sharing from the site becomes tedious. It becomes even more challenging when the data set is large. To streamline the BIM data sharing process, companies have started to use cloud-based applications. The stakeholders are given access to the cloud application, so they can easily refer and use the data even if they are working remotely. Companies have started to witness improvement in their processes thanks to the increased collaboration between different members.

3. Collaboration tools

While we are on the topic of collaborative efforts, let’s look at how collaboration tools can help BIM to evolve. Typically, architects, engineers, and building designers use BIM to create the blueprint. This design is saved and shared with the contractors on site. However, there are always times when the design would have to undergo certain changes. To ensure seamless communication, companies can integrate BIM with collaboration tools. This will enable the stakeholders involved in the project to make changes quickly and get the work started without any miscommunication. 80% of the average cost overrun happens due to change orders. With improved collaborations, companies can reduce the change orders and ensure that the work gets done quickly and efficiently.

4. Enriched 3D modeling

To provide the clients with a clear understanding of how the final building would look, companies can opt for an enriched 3D BIM model. This is a value-added development of the BIM model, supplemented with more visual appeal and descriptive context. It can be used to design floor plans, elevations, and other spaces by taking snapshots from different perspectives. The best part of using such 3D BIM modeling services is that it allows the model to remain consistent even if there is a minor change in one of the elements by baking in processes that allow constant updating. So, the architect does not have to work on all the elements again to make the model consistent.

5. Drones

BIM specialists could face a tough time while covering a large area of the site within a short duration or when they are working remotely. That’s when a drone can prove to be useful. BIM specialists can use drones to capture accurate data of a large area by hovering it over the site. Over time, this also enables the specialists to track the progress of the project, so they can refine the model based on the insights received by the drone. It can also be used to survey and record data from rough terrains that are usually risky to tread for supervisors.

Conclusion

The construction industry has used BIM for more than four decades. It has helped construction companies streamline their operations and save costs. However, it could well prove to be a game-changer during COVID-19 by ensuring smooth operations when the teams were located at separate locations. Even as vaccines get developed, we expect companies to continue using BIM to complete their projects without any hassles, especially in innovative new ways. All they need is the right BIM implementation partner who will help them to leverage BIM to its optimum level!

Architects and engineers alike turn to Building information modeling (BIM) to improve building design, and construction processes, and create dynamic and streamlined structures. Moreover, among those who use architectural BIM modeling, about 83% of users have experienced a positive ROI on their investments.

BIM allows designers to design and create more effectively by connecting the multi-dimensional model to the 2D drawing.

Let’s talk more about how architects use BIM for the design process in the AEC industry.

What does the BIM process look like for architects?

BIM has played an important role in transforming design and construction. It allows design teams to work more efficiently and explore designs before they are built.

 

Although every firm has standard operating procedures and manuals for BIM, the following are some of the core steps in the BIM process that architects or BIM architects usually follow:

• Predesign – The predesign stage is to determine if BIM can be used on the project. The first step is to have a BIM roadmap to define how the BIM tool fits into a company’s larger strategy. The roadmap can help develop and improve the architect’s workflow by documenting short- and long-term strategic goals. It helps identify ways to leverage BIM through building analysis simulation.
• Schematic model – After taking the necessary call on BIM, the architect starts creating the schematic model by using real elements in a BIM environment.
• Presentation of the schematic model – The architect then gives a walkthrough or rendering of the schematic model. Specific BIM Software like Autodesk Revit are used during this presentation. To create an architectural BIM model apart from the BIM Software we also need input data like dimensions, layout, the material, etc.
• Schematic design – At this point, scheduling and estimating are done. Scheduling helps make sure that the building can be built in the allotted time and estimating helps track the cost of the project. However, it can be a very laborious process to count all the elements of a process project from a 2D plan. But BIM helps simplify this process and saves time.
• Interference checks and coordination reviews – In this phase of the design process, regular meetings are held between the architects, engineers, project managers, and construction managers. During these meetings, interference checks, and coordination reviews are done. BIM provides several collaborative tools that make this process easier. Moreover, these meetings help catch any mistakes in the early design phase itself.
• Element ownership – Ownership of elements is another important factor to consider. It refers to figuring out which discipline modeled an element. The owner of a particular element, also known as model element author or MEA, needs to pay extra attention to the coordination of that element
• Construction – Construction is the final phase after the building design is created. Since during the design phase, scheduling and estimating have been done, it means that items have been purchased and the schedule has been modified to complete the construction process on time. During the construction phase, the construction manager and field superintendent collaborate with the design team to ensure that the design is implemented. BIM helps create a strong connection between design and construction and promotes collaboration. This results in making the journey from design to construction quite seamless.

How does BIM help architects in the design process?

A big reason why BIM proves beneficial in improving design is that it enables collaboration between the designers, owners, and builders. Having the same source of information improves the design, implementation, and decision-making process immensely.

Some other ways in which BIM help architects are –

• Improved communication – BIM allows all information related to the design of the building to be shared across all concerned parties. This means that all the architects on the team can instantly refer to the latest designs. This helps eliminate confusion and allows improved collaboration among all the stakeholders and construction professionals in real time.
• Better visualization – BIM enables architects to see the buildings in basic 3D dimensions (height, width, and depth) along with 4D dimension (time to complete each element) and 5D dimension (cost at each stage). These detailed visualization tools help speed up the process from design to construction.
• Higher quality – Due to proper documentation and calculation of important designs, there are higher-quality designs and construction processes. BIM allows construction managers to view where every element needs to go. This keeps the building activity operating at peak efficiency.
• Preconstruction simulations – BIM allows architects to visualize and plan the entire project during preconstruction. They can use space-use simulations and visualizations to analyse the space beforehand and make changes to the design before starting construction process. Having a greater overview minimizes expensive changes later.
• Improved coordination – BIM significantly improves the coordination between subcontractors and the project teams. It also helps avoid clashes with automated clash detection. This reduces the amount of rework needed, reduce the cost and saves the time. Using BIM, one can avoid unforeseen issues by enabling easy reviewing.
• Better scheduling – BIM helps reduce the time of project cycles by eliminating construction schedule setbacks. It helps schedules to be planned with better accuracy. This along with improved coordination can help complete projects on time and save costs.
• Simpler building maintenance – BIM enables observing the anticipated operational costs for a building once it’s complete. This can help make better decisions to improve cost savings and thus, ensure simpler building maintenance in the future.

BIM is an invaluable tool for architects. In fact, it’s probably fair to say that those architects utilizing BIM have a greater chance of creating good designs while saving costs and improving process efficiency.

Here is the list of some of the BIM software

To create an architectural BIM model for any building design BIM software must need. By putting the accurate data into the BIM software, we can have the real time building design of the dedicated project.

• Autodesk Revit
• Vectorworks
• Navisworks
• ArchiCAD

Overall, for the creation architectural BIM model for any project involves software, accurate input data of the building and all other necessary information. Furthermore, you can use validation and verification tools like clash detection to identify and correct the errors, regularly review and update the model to up to date throughout the project.

The Indian economy has been affected heavily due to lockdowns and restrictions put in place to contain the impact made by the COVID 19 pandemic. With a 23.9 % slump in the economy in the April to June quarter as compared to the same period in 2019, there has been widespread chaos and disruptions in almost every sector. The construction sector which employs nearly 51 million people (the second largest employer in the country) and contributes approximately 9% of the nation’s GDP was hurt just as much or more.

However, all is not gloomy for our domain as analysts expect a sharp return to growth in 2021. It is expected that from a slump of nearly 14.9 %, the construction sector will register a formidable growth of 11.6% in 2021. Opportunities look set to emerge.

As we learn to live with the virus and hopes of vaccines wax and wane, likely, business as usual will slowly settle in. Of course, there will still be challenges for construction companies to tackle. Here are the top 3:

Employee Safety

With COVID 19 still a threat, the most important challenge for construction companies is to keep their staff healthy and free from COVID infections on the sites. Obviously, employee safety is a moral imperative. That apart, a large number of people infected at any work site will cause turmoil, affect work deliverables, and cause delays. All this will ultimately push up costs.

The net impact will be changed working conditions, more onerous compliance efforts, and altered processes that will take time to settle in.

Lower Spending by Consumers

There have been job losses and wage reduction across the economic spectrum. The uncertainty that looms large will certainly play on the minds of consumers and investors. In commercial real estate, there is also some concern about the impact of widespread “work from home” policies adopted by Indian corporates during the lockdowns. In several well-publicized examples, mostly from the technology or services sectors, companies have embraced long-term remote working policies. By allowing most (or all) of their employees to continue to work from home, they hope to save on real estate costs. It’s still unclear how this will play out in the long term for the sector.

Hence spending on construction will be more cautious and considered. Customer behaviour may have changed and they may now value new financing options, better proximity to healthcare centres, different features, and much more.

The rise in Material Costs

The pandemic has disrupted both national and international supply chains considerably and it will take a while before everything returns to pre-COVID levels. Until then, the construction sector must brace for frequent price hikes of raw materials due to a shortage of supply. Additionally, governments across states or the central government may bring in additional cess on taxes to strengthen their finances which will directly impact the price of materials.

So how can the Indian construction industry make a revival in 2021 in the wake of these crucial challenges? The answer may lie with technology.

By leveraging trusted technology, construction companies can uncover new opportunities for streamlining their operations and improving customer satisfaction leading to better sales.

Let’s see the top opportunities that technology can create for the Indian construction sector in 2021:

Better Compliance to Employee Wellness and Safety

By using the right set of technology solutions and platforms, construction companies can help in safeguarding the health of their employees. Workplace safety compliance can be enhanced using intelligent thermal scanning, digital fencing for ensuring social distance between staff, and several other possibilities. Along with arresting the spread of COVID, the opportunity can also be utilized to strategically bring in new protection and safety norms within the sector that will help in improving the lives of workers in the long run too.

Improved Governance of Projects

Through better project planning and modeling using BIM (Virtual Design and Construction-VDC), planners can estimate projects needs better, collaborate and communicate better, and easily manage the delivery for better results. Using BIM as the common framework, all the stakeholders can track the progress of projects, mitigate possible delays due to labor or material shortages, provide better estimates for pricing and revenue management and ultimately create a more efficiently managed and executed construction project. The opportunity in 2021 is to use such technology so that projects can be even managed by supervisors or engineers from remote locations through online monitoring.

Personalized Sales Experience

With advancements in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technology, it becomes easier for customers to experience the full scale of a project virtually. This will help construction companies create virtual tours for potential customers to better equip them with information about the project that may aid in their decision to invest. Technology can also help in creating targeted advertising campaigns to better market projects to the right audience with the right information on price, financing options, amenities, etc. to win their interest and ultimately lead to a deal.

No question that we all want 2020 to end as fast as possible. 2021 is seen as a year of hope everywhere. The construction sector in India too is particularly optimistic about 2021. The belief is the new year will open the doors to solving numerous long-standing challenges in the industry with the help of technology. Many of the new norms adopted in the sector during the pandemic such as better health and safety systems for employees, improved project planning, could have a long-standing impact. Digital transformation could become the cornerstone in the Indian construction sector’s revival plans for 2021 and it may all be down to the pandemic to have forced that change into the sector.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a highly collaborative process for creating and managing information on a construction project across the project lifecycle.

The resulting 3D building information model allows owners and stakeholders to make decisions, optimize their actions, and bring greater value for the asset. Since BIM brings together all the information in a single platform, it makes it convenient for all stakeholders to access that information for crucial decision-making. This helps reduce mistakes, create a more effective design, and lower costs by improving estimates and accelerating progress.

In that light, a BIM model is a crucial aspect of the construction process and so, it becomes essential to ensure quality and accuracy in BIM. Discrepancies can cause major issues during the construction process. That is why ensuring quality and accuracy in BIM becomes critical.

But how to achieve accuracy and quality in BIM?

Quality assurance in BIM

Quality assurance of a 3D BIM model is based on a robust process of comprehensively inspecting the model system by defining areas of improvement, omissions, or mistakes. The 3D model is compared with the current drawings to ensure quality and conformance.

An accurate and high-quality model is one that aligns closely with the initial BIM management plan.

Accuracy in BIM

Accuracy in BIM is a crucial subset of the overall quality of the model. An accurate model is the one that conforms to the best to the real situation of the construction site as it develops. These requirements may include the level of development, procedures, accuracy, and specifications of the BIM geometries. A 3D model can meet its specifications.

Ensuring quality and accuracy in BIM

Obviously, there’s more to BIM than just a 3D model. It provides a detailed blueprint for creating and managing a construction project from start to finish. The true value of BIM starts unfolding as you add in dimensions of time, material estimates, costs, and onwards. Different teams rely on the BIM model to create their plans and schedules. Materials are ordered based on the insights derived from the model.  Project management processes and reports depend on BIM.

A lot is riding on this so, ensuring quality and accuracy in BIM can help streamline the process and deliver greater efficiency in every aspect of the project. But it is true that BIM adoption isn’t a plug and play move. This calls for significant changes in the ways of working of construction companies. Rushing into BIM adoption is one of the key conditions under which BIM models end up falling short of quality and accuracy standards.

Start with a pilot

Rather than going directly for a big project, you can choose to work on a pilot project first. This will give you a controlled environment to learn and document your BIM usage and the challenges you face. You can nail down the typical errors and define processes to fix them. This will ensure that subsequent BIM models are of high-quality and more accurate.

Create a BIM roadmap with expert assistance

Having a BIM roadmap can help document all the strategic goals (short- and long-term). The roadmap can also help identify ways to leverage BIM for maximum impact. Look for areas where you need the most help with your BIM strategy and turn to experts to help you there. These experts will be able to help you deliver the initial projects, set up internal processes and systems, define the required (and necessary) quality standards, train your own people, and handhold them as the needs evolve. Your team will get to see the impact that can be achieved from high-quality and accurate BIM models and “model” their own efforts.

Create a template for future use

After the initial stages, you can reuse some aspects to create a project template. You can incorporate the non-project-specific aspects of the BIM model into your project template. You can update the model using sheet setups, project notes, and other details.

Similarly, you can pick up some useful components of the model and save it in your BIM library. Having an organized BIM library can help deliver a high-quality BIM model in future projects with a solid quality base.

Use plugins

To achieve additional accuracy and quality, you can leverage the power of the technology. Use the available add-ons and plugins to extend the capabilities of your BIM software. Tools developed by developers are available for use for specialized tasks. This could take the model to the next level. You could also automate some specific manual tasks to reduce effort and the possibility of human errors.

Validate your design

There are thousands of connected pieces in buildings. Having an issue with even a small element can have a major impact on the entire building. That is why having a clear process for validating your design is a necessary step. You should also check the design assumptions in the early design phase and make the necessary corrections to the model. This will ensure accuracy in the BIM model.

Document progress

Documenting the entire process can give you valuable insights. It is crucial to set up an open communication channel between the onsite teams and the BIM team to ensure that the reality of the site is being updated in the model on an ongoing basis. These insights can then help you ensure high-quality “as-built” models that drive higher-quality efforts for facility management and renovation and refurbishment.

To ensure the best quality and complete accuracy in your BIM models, you need to be fully aware of how the software works. That must be tied into the design and construction processes and information flow from the site. That will help deliver a high-quality and accurate BIM model that delivers the maximum impact.

India’s demand for infrastructure projects is huge. These projects involve the construction of roads, bridges, dams, and other structures that will form the backbone of the economy. In fact, estimates are that even a couple of years ago, 9% of India’s GDP was spent on construction infrastructure.

But, the construction sector in India also suffers from multiple issues that hold up the construction of such projects. An array of challenges including land acquisition, labour availability and management, and traditional delivery practices cause delays and push up construction costs. In fact, a recent report by the  Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation says that from 412 major infrastructure projects in the country have suffered cost overruns to the tune of Rs 4.11 Lakh Crores.

Cost overruns are a serious issue especially in a resource-constrained nation like India. So how can infrastructure management and construction companies reduce or eliminate cost overruns?

The answer lies in technology and digital transformation, 2 principles, which have often been ignored by the sector in India even though developed nations have been making steady progress.

So, let’s explore how technology can help eliminate cost overruns in a construction project across various stages:

Improving Design Efficiency

Architectural design along with other preconstruction consulting services forms a sizeable portion of the project cost and can range as much as 15% of the entire project budget. Using Building Information Modelling, architects and design engineers can visualize the project in every possible granular format. Using 3D modelling, it becomes easier to map out building components and accommodate requirements to ensure that the design is as comprehensive and foolproof as possible. Incomplete or inaccurate plans from engineers can lead to serious problems during the construction and can lead to costly disputes and substandard construction work being done by contractors owing to lack of clarity. With a digital backbone managing the entire design process, it is easier to consolidate inputs from various stakeholders, establish common ground, make better material and resource estimates, and drive on-site efforts faster and more efficiently. I have appealed previously to the government to make BIM mandatory for public infrastructure projects like the UK. It was reported some time ago that the UK government expected to save over 400 million pounds each year due to the application of BIM.

Manage Scope Changes

One of the most important challenges in a construction project is the management of changes. No matter, how much effort was taken to take into confidence, all stakeholders during the design phase, scope changes are bound to creep in during construction. It is considered normal here. Since it is impossible to eliminate scope changes during construction, the next best thing to do is to use technology to manage and integrate these changes into the project plan as seamlessly as possible without escalating costs. A centralized BIM platform can help in capturing changes and communicating the same along with the changed course of action to all project team members both on the job site on their mobile phones, as well as key personnel in areas such as procurement, vendor management, finance, and supply chain. Providing the right information about changes transparently at the right time can help in preventing clashes, reducing the timeline for contractors to incorporate changes, prevent resource wastage, and get necessary legal or regulatory compliance approvals for accommodating the change.

Manage Disputes

In several high-value projects, the number of stakeholders involved is quite large in number. One major outcome of this high number is that the number of disputes arising during construction will be high as well. More disputes will lead to more delays and ultimately more cost overruns. Design issues alone account for nearly 38% of all disputes in a construction project according to a study by Engineer’s Daily. Most disputes happen due to inefficient project planning and management which is done predominantly by manual means. By bringing on board a seamless BIM and project management platform, it becomes easier for different stakeholders to be held accountable for their activities. Through transparent reporting of progress, every calculated move in the construction stage can be vetted by all stakeholders and this will eliminate disputes over the finished product. Eventually, virtual demonstrations coupled with modern-day techniques like Augmented Reality or Virtual Reality can help stakeholders visualize design elements in more realistic perspectives and give their suggestions upfront and thus eliminate future disputes. Project management platforms help define daily activities, schedules, and task priorities to ensure that the construction progresses smoothly and in alignment with approved design principles.

Eliminate Errors for Administration

Every construction project involves a hefty administrative back-end operation taking care of various compliance, auditing, and approval processes. When these activities are done manually, the scope for errors is high and at times errors in administrative calculations can prove to be costly. It could lead to various site supervisors or contractors not being informed about changes, guidelines, or safety protocols which in turn can create regulatory and legal compliance complications for the project leading to delays and cost overruns. With the help of technology, several mundane manual processes can be automated. For instance, reporting can be automated and made transparent. This will ensure that all administrative processes follow due diligence and any human errors are eliminated before their impact makes its presence felt in the actual construction site.

Cost overruns are a serious problem in the Indian infrastructure sector. By controlling them, there is a huge opportunity for optimizing the value delivered from the investments being made by the government on behalf of the people. By leveraging digital technology like BIM, projects can be better managed with lower scope for cost overruns. Be it automation of administrative efforts or improving design efficiency, there is a huge potential for Indian infrastructure players to capitalize on the several benefits of technology in their daily operations.

The Government of India launched the Smart Cities Mission in 2014 with the intention of making Indian cities more integrated, sustainable, and data-driven. Beginning the initiative with 100 cities first, the Smart Cities Mission is being administered by the Ministry of Urban Development.

As per a report, about 68% of the world population will be living in cities by 2050 and the same seems true of India as well. In fact, we are likely to have over 60 cities with a population of more than 1 million and 6 megacities with a population of more than 10 million by 2030.

Such a large urban population will inevitably put a lot of pressure on resources like water, energy, infrastructure, transport, healthcare, etc. This makes the Smart Cities Mission even more important.

But what exactly are smart cities? And what potential does technology have in urban development and smart cities in India?

Understanding smart cities

Before understanding the potential of technology in the development of a smart city, we must first understand what a smart city is. It must be highlighted that there isn’t a single, universally accepted definition of a smart city. It varies from country to country, depending on the level of development.

But irrespective of region-specific connotations, the basic aim of a smart city is to improve the quality of life of its residents. A smart city is one that utilizes technology to improve its operations and services. It is a modernized territory that is capable of dealing with various economic, technical, and other aspects related to growth. Technology, thus, forms the backbone of a smart city.

Core technologies for developing a smart city

Most of the integrated solutions that empower a smart city are based on certain key technologies. These are Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Internet of Things (IoT), Sensors, Geospatial Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Blockchain. These core technologies form the backbone of all the major aspects of a city like traffic, finance, utilities, waste management, e-governance, and security. And behind all these technologies is a solid core of data analytics.

Let’s discuss these core technologies –

·Information and communication technology (ICT)

ICT plays an important role in building a bridge between citizens and the government. It allows the city residents to interact with the government, which, in turn, helps the government provide relevant services to its citizens.

·Internet of things (IoT)

IoT forms a network across the smart city that connects all dots for gathering data and driving actions remotely. All intelligent solutions in smart cities are based on IoT.

·Sensors

Sensors are key components of any smart control system. They are hidden but are present in large numbers. Sensors help convert physical parameters into a digital form for interpretation and action by humans or automated systems.

·Geospatial technology

This technology provides crucial location information that underpins the fabric of smart cities. It allows pinpointing exact locations in the city where solutions are required.

·Artificial intelligence (AI)

With smart systems, there comes a huge amount of data generation. The large amount of data generated by these systems needs to be processed and utilized. This is done by AI –at pace. It helps derive insights from swathes of generated data and also allows machine-to-machine interactions.

·Blockchain

Even though blockchain is comparatively new for smart cities, it can help give a boost to security and transparency in city services. It can also be employed to generate smart contracts for greater responsiveness and transparency.

Building information modeling for urban development

Building information modeling (BIM) is a technology that has major implications in the designing and implementation of smart cities, just as it does in all buildings.

BIM helps in urban development by assisting designers in planning and designing reasonable designs with better estimations and greater efficiency. BIM also helps analyze buildings in urban areas to resolve design stage issues. BIM can be used to help analyze how buildings in smart cities would interact with each other. In smart cities, powered by automation, the sheer quantity of BIM-linked data can be used to drive measurement and estimation for future developments. Thus, BIM can prove to be an important technology to enable smart cities and smart urban planning.

Use cases

The following use cases give a good idea of the potential of technology in urban development and smart cities –

• The city of Barcelona adopted IoT by implementing a fiber optics network throughout the city. This allowed the city to integrate different areas like water, lighting, and parking, etc. As a result, Barcelona was able to save about €75 million over time. It also led to the generation of 47,000 new jobs.

• The Dutch experimented with the idea of implementing IoT-based infrastructure in the city of Amsterdam. By monitoring and adjusting traffic flow, energy usage, and public safety in real-time, they were able to give a high quality-of-living to their citizens.

• In the United States, Boston and Baltimore cities have adopted smart trash cans by placing sensors inside them. This helps in optimizing trash collection routes.

• In Singapore, house owners in smart cities can monitor their energy consumption like electricity usage.

• In Tokyo, Japan, a smart town has been able to achieve a 70% reduction in carbon emission by using smart solar-powered grids.

There’s little doubt that the use of technology can help improve the quality of life in a smart city in areas like city navigation, public transport, public safety, energy consumption, entertainment, and tourism, etc.

Conclusion

India will see a large chunk of its population become a part of urban India in just a few years. That is why it is essential to leverage the full potential of technology in developing smart cities that are environmentally friendly, inclusive, and safe. Looking at the various openings to use technology in urban development, it’s clear that developing smarter Indian cities to improve the lives of millions of people is an achievable goal.

Worldwide, the construction sector employs the largest workforce and is often considered to be one of the biggest drivers of the economy. In 2018 alone, the annual spending on construction worldwide was estimated to be around USD 11.4 Trillion. While most disruptions in the actual construction operations have been through the inventions or progress made in mechanical equipment and raw materials, there is a growing role being played by technology and digital transformation in propelling the sector to newer heights. From modelling projects through interactive visualization to enabling workforce safety, technology is slowly (but surely) becoming an integral part of the construction sector.

Now comes the question of what can the industry explore next with technology? We have handpicked two great options to explore further – Digital Twins and the Internet of Things (IoT).

A digital twin involves the concept of having a digital representation of a physical object created with accurate data. This digital representation supports real-time visualization of any impact the object may have when acted upon by external influence like a physical force, mechanical or chemical or electronic stimulation, or any other forms of influence.

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to devices, or small machines, connected to the internet which allows them to be managed, analysed, and subject to activities – mechanical or electronic, from remote locations.

We’ve said it often that Building Information Modelling (BIM) has revolutionized the construction industry and paved the way for transitioning from pen and paper drawings to more efficient computer-based modelling. Bringing Digital Twins and IoT to the mainstream in this area will enable even more exciting possibilities in building or project design.

So, what are the possibilities, the construction sector must explore from trends like digital twins and IoT?

Here are 4:

Sustainable Project Planning

Using data from IoT sensors in existing projects worldwide, engineers can study the feasibility of new projects under similar environmental conditions. They can model each layer of a building based on how factors such as temperature, pressure, wind, and humidity impact the layer, with the data sourced from sensors on buildings in similar environments. This will ensure sustainable project planning and realize long-term benefits for tenants or owners of the project.

Predict Resource Requirements

Studies have shown that on average, 25% of productive time is wasted due to delays in resource handling and logistics. These delays often occur due to labour shortage, miscalculated time for material and equipment availability, and other factors that arise mainly due to improper planning. BIM helps optimize resource procurement and provisioning by enabling more precise predictions and estimates. With powerful digital twin technology, construction companies can further enhance the plan for optimum resource utilization. Based on data-driven models, engineers can create digital twins of projects to estimate the resources needed in terms of man, machine, and materials far in advance. This will also help in reducing the wastage of resources and ensure better logistics efficiency for intense demand scenarios.

Quality & Compliance Assurance

While BIM has allowed for efficient project planning in the construction sector, they have some limitations in assuring the quality assurance of a built structure or in stages during the construction. This is one area where IoT and digital twinning can make a difference though. By integrating the designed model with actual data captured by IoT sensors in the structure being constructed, it was possible to continuously analyze and monitor the progress of construction and ensure adherence to pre-defined standards. For example, an intelligent AI-enabled digital twinning platform could help in identifying cracks and intrusions in structures using image processing algorithms on data captured by IoT sensors. This information can be used to alert contractors and have them manually inspect the construction with experts. This will greatly enhance the quality and compliance of buildings and structures. Environmental and other physical compliance requirements can also be validated at every stage by modelling digital twins of the structure with real-time data generated by sensors.

Workforce Safety

Being a labour-intensive sector, the construction industry is also, unfortunately, known for being one of the most dangerous industries for the human workforce as the majority of the work involves labour in the open air and often on high rises. Digital twinning in co-ordination with IoT sensors on the building as well as in the form of wearables for workers can prove to be a huge safety aid in the workplace. Managers or supervisors can be alerted when employees work in a potentially dangerous site or when they are deployed for handling hazardous work materials. They can ensure that these workers have enough safety gear and access to safety procedures in the event of a mishap. This level of preparedness can prove to be the difference between life and death in dangerous scenarios often witnessed in large construction projects.

The construction industry stands to benefit immensely from adopting emerging trends such as digital twin and IoT. The right knowledge and selection of technology can help businesses in this space leverage great power in this way. They can build better landmarks with sustainable techniques and improve the working conditions for thousands of workers who rely on the construction sector for their livelihood.

The construction industry was witnessing only slow growth for more than a decadeeven before the outbreak of the pandemic. With the COVID-19 situation, the industry is probably seeing something close to the worst of its days. According to a report by the Global Construction Review, the GVA (Gross Value Added) for the Indian market is set to fall by 34%. Another report by The Economic Times in June revealed that the industry may suffer losses of nearly INR 7.3 lakh crore in construction investment.

However, if McKinsey’s view of disruptions being the catalyst for change is to be believed, the situation could turn in favor of the key players in construction, as well as the new entrants.

So, what’s McKinsey’s view, and how does it impact transformation in the industry in the coming year? Let’s shed some light on that.

Key moves to shape the future of the construction industry

The experts at McKinsey, one of the global leaders in consulting and research, feel that technology-led disruptions and the current pandemic situation will transform the construction ecosystem. They say that the following shifts in construction will not only change the old ways but also highlight the new normal the industry will change too.

Productization 

From being purely a service-driven industry, construction will take on a product-based approach, marketing the structures that they raise along with their associated services as standardized products. For eg., one interesting set of thoughts is emerging around housing with integrated co-working-like facilities to empower a greater number of people working from home. It will help increase the satisfaction of the end customers, who will be able to understand things better. The idea that when consumers buy products, they buy concrete results will contribute towards the industry performing well holistically.

Control of value-chain and integration with supply-chain

The companies will be more self-sufficient by controlling all design, engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and other activities along the value chain to establish self-sufficiency. The focus will be more on such companies that adopt a one-stop solution and they will lead the others. In the context of technology (more on that later) this could mean construction companies will have to find a way to hire, engage, and retain technology talent like BIM experts. That’s a considerable shift.

Specialized development

The companies will be developing specialized niche based on their expertise along with different segments like single-family houses, commercial buildings, infrastructure, hospitality real estate, healthcare, etc. This will help them build deep expertise, success stories, and intellectual property that will help them get an edge over their competitors.

Branding and customer-centric development

This point follows from the predictions that construction companies will look to provide product-based solutions, which can be easily marketed to the end customers, and that they will adopt specialized development as their mantra. With narrow targeting, the companies will have to focus on their branding to target niche markets. Their offerings will have to be extremely focused on the needs of that target segment. Customer-centricity will become an inevitable need.

Incorporation of technology

Technological integration will help the construction industry build better, faster, cheaper, and more sustainably. The availability of new materials, increased digitalization, more data-driven decision-making, and automation of workflows will help them seek a better and more promising future. From building off-site manufacturing units to incorporating robotics in manufacturing and construction technology, the returns on investment will increase manifold. Of course, the base of many of these technology-led innovations will have to be the comprehensive, transparent, and current models provided by BIM.

Investing in human resources

In India, the construction industry is probably low down on the list of employment options of millennials. A physically taxing work environment and perceptions about traditional and outdated work practices hold them back. This will change with the incorporation of advanced technologies, increased employment of a full-time skilled workforce, and the dying out of many traditional practices.

Sustainability

Much has been said. Suffice it to say that sustainability is now a key focus area of the industry. With time, it will prove to be the oxygen for construction companies.

How can India make the most of these shifts?

The value of the global construction industry will jump to $12.7 trillion by 2022, according to a report by the Hindu Business Line. If India can make the most of the current disruptions and turn them in its favor with the help of both government and private initiatives, it will be able to contribute about $640 billion to this. The industry has to do away with old practices and adapt to technological advancements like BIM, 3D imaging, Cloud and mobile technologies, AR/VR, Robotics, and more, as well as invest in start-ups that aim to change the future of this sector with their innovative ideas and designs.

It also needs to employ more skilled manpower, especially among the young people, who are scared to join the industry right now. Appropriate salaries, along with better working environments, opportunities for growth, and even higher incentives will prove attractive. The construction companies can also work hand-in-hand with the government to empower women, who currently stand at only 10% of the total workforce in the industry. Such initiatives will help them make the most of the global technologies and disruptions that are set to change the industry.

McKinsey says that the ongoing and future disruptions will shape the industry by breaking conventions, changing business models, and finally delivering on the promise of technological advancements. Such trends, if they come about, could permanently alter the way construction companies run today, forcing them to adapt to the new world. And this will help us leave the pandemic and its economic impact behind to look towards a better and safer future.

The current pandemic may have led the construction companies into challenging timesdue to a disruption in the supply chain and shortage in manpower. But not all hope is lost.

Construction companies are turning to technology to help them get back on track, control costs, and work more efficiently. In that vein, they are increasingly adopting a promising way of construction called modular construction.

Once heralded as the next big thing in the construction industry along with 3-D printing, companies use modular construction to build certain pre-fabricated units offsite and then fit it with onsite structures. One can think of it as Lego blocks that are stacked one above the other to create a structure. Hopes from the technique are high. In fact, McKinsey predicts modular construction to be a $130 billion market by 2030.

Modular construction offers various benefits:

• It can accelerate the speed of construction by 50%
• It can lead to 20% cost savings
• It can reduce the labour costs of a project by 25%.

While modular construction has proven to be a boon for the construction industry, it has its challenges to pull off.

For instance, if the pre-fabricated unit is not precisely manufactured, it may not fit well with the onsite structure and could lead to cumbersome and disruptive rework. In fact, the company might have to incur 30% of additional costs due to rework.

That’s where technology like Building Information Modelling (BIM) can come to the rescue.

The Role Of BIM In Modular Construction

BIM promotes the creation of comprehensive, accurate, time-sensitive, and validated models of every little detail of the construction site. This level of detail can help construction companies to create a detailed 3D visualization of each component being constructed offsite as well that can fit perfectly within the rest of the structure that is documented just as clearly.

BIM can also help in:

1. Digitizing the construction workflow

Some construction companies have started thinking of concepts like Digital Engineering. A key component of this would be digitizing workflows. Automating these processes can drive up construction efficiency and reduce risk. Digitization can help companies to estimate costs accurately, reduce the reworks, promote transparency in project status, and maintain quality. Of course, given the wealth of information inherent to BIM, companies can create digitized workflows of the offsite construction of complex designs of components.

2. Enabling MEP coordination

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing MEP coordination can be quite tedious and time-consuming. It accounts for almost 40% to 60% of the project. In the context of offsite modular construction, this is a crucial process because all three disciplines should be aware of the precise location of the proposed installation during the modeling phase. An oversight could lead to a major loss in time and effort. To ensure seamless integration among different plans, companies use BIM. BIM gives the specialists a 3D view of the structure in the pre-construction phase. It enables the specialists to identify potential clashes in the MEP systems and address them at an early stage itself. Modular construction benefits from the precision provided by BIM and minimize risks in pre-fabrication design.

3. Reducing cost escalation

As found by a study on the Korean construction industry, although modular construction is known to reduce costs, it could escalate costs if the initial planning is not done correctly or if the workforce is not skilled enough. BIM can help companies to address this issue by reducing escalating costs. It can help companies to streamline their construction workflows, reduce wastes in the pre-fabrication stage, and even find the right collaborators who can reduce insurance costs and tender risk premiums. According to a study by McKinsey, BIM has generated positive ROI for at least 75% of the construction companies.

4. Adhering to project schedule

Considering that both offsite and onsite development takes place simultaneously, modular construction can be completed 30% to 50% sooner than traditional constructions. It is particularly useful for construction companies as they can avoid risks or delays occurring due to extreme weather conditions that may prevail onsite. To coordinate efforts across locations and ensure seamless adherence to the project schedule, companies have been using BIM.  Right from exchanging information to coordination, BIM enables the project managers to manage the project end-to-end effectively. It brings together all the stakeholders involved in the project, which ramps up the process of communication and eventually, the completion of the project. Countries like the UK and Norway also use BIM to submit their designs to the Governmentelectronically, so they can quickly check if the construction complies with the regulations and approve it.

5. Reducing wastage of pre-fabricated material

The iconic 50-storeyed Leadenhall Building in London may be a landmark for tourists. However, architects know it for its sustainable model of construction. The Leadenhall Building is a fine example of how modular construction can help companies to achieve zero waste as most of the components are designed and manufactured offsite. Apart from cutting labour costs and improving productivity, modular constructions are also known to help build sustainable buildings. It can reduce up to 90% of waste. And of course, with BIM project managers can reduce wastage effectively. Considering that the drawings are made in 3D, it allows the stakeholders to visualize the plan, identify errors, and rectify them early. It reduces the chances of rework and brings in precision in the entire process.

Conclusion

It is clear that the techniques of modular construction along with the power of BIM can help construction companies to boost the progress and quality of their projects. No wonder world over governments and construction companies are backing BIM to fast-track projects. Have you considered how BIM can help you drive up your effective implementation of offsite modular construction?