The global economy has been hit with an unprecedented situation as the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19 situation continues to unfold. In a bid to contain the spread of the virus, governors across American states have issued “shelter at home” orders. People are being advised to stay at home and only people performing essential services are advised to be out. While some states, like Massachusetts, have exempted an array of construction activities from the provisions of the lockdown, it’s not business as usual for even those construction companies.

Companies are facing delays on many projects as social distancing norms and employees staying away are impacting the available human resources on site. In addition, supply chains are also being impacted by lockdowns and travel restrictions.

At this stage, companies are worried about how to get these projects back on track even as parts of the economy open up. As has been said, every crisis hides an opportunity. This crisis too has opened up the minds of construction companies to explore ways to innovate and accept technology as a way to propel their projects forward when the time comes.

Even as projects are stalled or progressing slowly, construction companies are taking the time to look for ways to make better schedules, correct designs, align the efforts of teams, and plan for resources and material requirements better. They’re looking to create a situation that will allow them to hit the ground running when a semblance of normalcy returns. And they’re looking towards technology like Building Information Modeling to do so.

Turning to technology like BIM at this time can prove fruitful for the construction industry. BIM allows easy collaboration and sharing of data in real-time among team members and provides easy access to up-to-date project information at all times, anywhere. The collection of data about on-going, but stalled, projects in BIM makes it easier to create better plans. This enables accurate decision-making that could positively impact the rest of the project lifecycle when work restarts. By incorporating integrated BIM, the carried over design clashes and constructability issues can be resolved, thereby averting costly rework or compromises as construction resumes.

How can BIM help to contribute towards saving time?

• The contractors are looking for innovative alternatives to reduce the embedded delays that inevitably creep into the project lifecycle. The building project managers are taking advantage of the lull to focus more on the preconstruction stages of the lifecycle, such as planning and designing during this quarantine phase. BIM can help designers to identify gaps and improve the design so that inefficiencies can be identified and removed to save time.

• BIM can help to encourage working and design collaboration between design consultants, engineers, and architects, along with streamlined and coordinated communication. This can help identify (and predict) possible problems in constructability or in converting the architected design into a functioning structure. This will allow the company to design well-considered workarounds for mitigation. As construction picks up again, these solutions will help reduce or eliminate the impact of the problems to save effort.

• Of course, with BIM, designers can create a comprehensive 3D model of the structure. It is well known that this allows for the detection of potential clashes that could emerge during the construction phase. Detecting these clashes early can help each team prepare their response and work better to avoid on-the-fly rework and improvisations. These take time. Better plans help to save that time and improve productivity. This will, in turn, help to speed up the process of project development.

• There are other inherent advantages of BIM that can positively impact acceleration of schedules as work picks up. For one, consider the ordering of materials. BIM models give a very accurate picture of what materials will be needed when and in exactly what quantity. This means the materials can be provisioned for use at exactly the right time for maximum efficiency. Another advantage of working with the BIM model is the collaboration due to the arrangement and updating of all documents in a single location. This single frame of reference ensures that everyone is working from the same source, preventing communication gaps and delays.

COVID-19 is testing the resilience of the American construction industry. But there’s always a new day. And when that new day dawns, technology solutions like BIM can contribute to the efforts of the construction companies that want to make up for a lost time.

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.

COVID-19 has resulted in a complete rehaul of day-to-day lives, impacting several activities that cannot be accomplished with the ‘remote working model. The industries that heavily depended on the frontline workforce to operate were stalled. As the curve seems to flatten, these operations are slowly reopening across the United States and are a beacon of hope to drive normalcy, employment, and economic progress.

COVID-19 and the construction industry

The construction industry is a major economic driver, employing over 11 million people in the US. The construction industry is trying to breathe life into projects that were abandoned sometime around February 2020. While the regular projects were paused, the pandemic also brought in new opportunities for the rapid construction of testing facilities, quarantining centers, and locations for medical screening.

Construction companies who were assigned a mammoth of a task to finish these projects in a very short span, of course, turned to modern tech such as BIM- Building Information Modeling. Construction companies that were earlier hesitant to embrace BIM were exposed to its benefits that can help in recovering from COVID-19’s impact on the construction business.

Several modifications to the traditional mode of operation of the construction activity are expected and it will be challenging for construction companies across the United States to bounce back.

Let’s have a look at the 5 changes coming up as construction activity picks up.

1.     Managing the cash crunch

As per a survey by PwC, 71% of participants belonging to the engineering and construction sector expressed financial concern as the biggest impact of COVID-19. Needless to say, cash flow will be one of the major constraints for construction companies. As per a report by the World Economic Forum, the construction sector in the USA hasn’t still leveraged technology to its fullest. To manage constrained finances now is the time to make use of the power of technologies like BIM. BIM can help in accurately estimating material demands to ensure you don’t lock unnecessary funds in wasted materials. Further, BIM can help you in planning your labor resources and optimize costs.

2.     Addressing the construction material shortage

While we are discussing the issue of raw materials, we have to account for the possible shortage of the same. The USA imports around 30% of its total raw material required for construction from China, with some companies fetching around 80% of their requirement from those shores. Following the shutdown of Chinese manufacturing units, there has been a shortage of material. The current complicated trade scenario isn’t likely to allow an easing up of those supply chains soon.With BIM, companies can estimate their raw material requirement better, make judicious usage, and plan ahead for orders and be ready whenever the supply chains open up as usual.

3.     Providing a safe working environment and revision of labor contracts

Workplace operations have drastically changed. There are new rules for managing employees to ensure social distancing. Emergency protocols were already in place a few weeks before the outbreak but post the re-opening, there will be severe implications. Without the complete opening of public transports, lifting of travel bans, and opening up of schools and other child-care facilities, workers might not be able to return to work immediately in full force. And even if they do, they have to be rostered in shifts which means that resource planning will become critical. Companies have to focus on accomplishing the same (or better) results with fewer employees in the near future.

This calls for a revision in labor plans as well as enhanced resource optimization using Building Information Modeling for timely project completion. Using BIM’s fundamental benefit of clash detection, companies can ensure improved work efficiency with minimum rework, better staff utilization, and lowered costs. Off-site experts and remote working partners can be of great help.

4.     Data-driven decision making for prioritizing projects

Construction companies have to balance between completing the pending projects while controlling their cash outflow. Construction projects require strict adherence to schedules for completion often incurring financial penalties for delays. BIM can be valuable in planning and scheduling workflows to optimize delivery times while making the use of available resources to their full potential. The use of Building Information Modeling can aid in overall project delivery planning with efficient communication, collaboration, and constant monitoring of the project’s progress. This could be a crucial help in making up for a lost time.

But it is important to note that adopting any tech, especially on a large scale is challenging. This calls for expertise and may require changes to established processes and workflows. Seeking the help of a trusted domain expert who can partner in the adoption is hence recommended for getting the required ROI.

5.     Preference for green buildings and construction

The construction sector is infamous for contributing to the global climate crisis, being responsible for around 40% of the total CO2 emissions. The post-pandemic world will be more conscious about the choices it makes- be it for food, fashion, or energy consumption. The construction industry has already been seeing a rising demand for driving more energy-efficient projects, creating less waste, and opting for green or eco-friendly construction materials. Using BIM, construction companies can take important steps in implementing the same phase-wise, with optimum resource planning. By participating in the Green construction movement and creating zero-emission buildings, the construction sector can gain financial green stimulus packages helping in economic recovery while giving back to the environment.

To summarize…

The world post-COVID-19 will not be the same. To sail through difficult times, riding the wave of technology may be the key. And with the right BIM partner, construction companies can define their way into a stable future.

Denmark, Finland, Dubai, Singapore, Russia, and Norway have made Building Information Modeling (BIM) mandatory for public construction projects. That has enabled them to ramp up their construction, use resources intelligently, and ensure safety and sustainability. The benefits of BIM adoption are well-known. Even across the USA, companies have made projects more cost-effective, timely, and sustainable by adopting BIM. Construction companies and contractors have found that using BIM has also helped them prepare better project bids that help them win more orders.

However, many companies are facing a tough time implementing BIM because they lack access to the people with the right knowledge of implementing BIM strategy. This is risky considering that BIM adoption can cost the construction company time and money.

So, what can companies do to make BIM adoption easy?

The first step would be to create a BIM adoption roadmap to guide companies in their implementation process.

How To Create A BIM Adoption Roadmap?

Understandthe value of BIM

Investing in BIM is expensive, considering that companies need to invest in software, technology infrastructure, and people with specialized skills. Hence, it is prudent to understand its significance first. One way to determine its value is to develop a pilot use case. For example, use it to optimize the design for a smaller, contained project and see how it delivers values. This will enable the companies to determine how they can optimize the usage of BIM on a wider scale.

Digitize processes

To ensure full value from the BIM adoption, companies must digitize a range of their processes. BIM can help drive agile decision-making. It can help teams collaborate better and communicate more meaningfully. It can promote transparency in reporting. All this needs a change of organizational processes to deliver maximum impact. Digitizing processes will help the construction company create the enabling infrastructure to make the most of BIM’s considerable power.

Establish data-sharing standards

BIM can be adopted only when data on design, costs, and schedules exists. However, inconsistent data sets can pose a challenge in generating insights and in the seamless adoption of BIM. Hence, companies must establish data-sharing standards and agree upon uniform conventions, especially if the construction is happening in different areas. This will reduce confusion and miscommunication between various stakeholders and improve efficiency.

Promote collaboration between different stakeholders

Construction activity is largely fragmented. Most teams are concerned with their scope of work, ignoring the larger impact that could have on other teams. To ensure the seamless implementation of BIM, all stakeholders must identify ways to collaborate continuously. BIM offers the opportunity to create a single-source-of-truth that can become the common ground to ensure that all the respective stakeholders are working in collaboration. Set a formal mechanism to improve collaboration. Take the UK Government’s Construction Industry Council (CIC) BIM Protocol, for example. It is a standardized supplementary legal agreement for common construction contracts. The protocol demands that all the stakeholder’s obligations and limitations are clearly mentioned and shows the point of contact for managing all the data that BIM incorporates at each stage of the project.

Keep the communication ongoing

Communication is crucial for successful BIM adoption. Reviveprocesses to drive ongoing communication between all the stakeholders. Leverage connected technologies to provide anytime, anywhere access to information for all the stakeholders, so they can communicate in real-time and accelerate the speed of BIM adoption.

Ensure every stakeholder understands BIM

Understanding the scope of BIM is vital for its successful adoption. Lack of BIM skills can slow down the process. Ensure that all stakeholders understand BIM and its implications well as it is the core of the digitized construction future. Upskilling the existing stakeholders through hands-on training is one way to make sure that everyone possesses the necessary skills.  Of course, this is easier said than done. You could engage an experienced BIM consultant organization to make this process happen smoothly. Such a partner would drive the initial projects on the power of their own experience. As that happens, you get the opportunity to learn from them. If the partner has a local presence, they can help you refine your own processes and handhold you as you feel your way into the transformed BIM landscape. This could carry on for as long as is necessary for you to get your own BIM act in order.

Be prepared for change

BIM adoption goes beyond adopting the technology. It necessitates change management at an organizational level. The management will have to create a culture where employees understand the value of BIM and are willing to learn new skills to accelerate the process of implementation. Share information about how BIM will help them do their jobs better on an ongoing basis, so they are aware of its importance and more open to its adoption.

BIM holds a lot of promise. But the solution is investment-intensive needing time, money, and effort to get right. It’s not always possible for small and mid-sized American construction companies, especially those in the smaller centers, to hire technology resources to guide them. But BIM adoption requires guidance from real experts. Without that, a company risks running an expensive experiment. That’s where an experienced BIM consultant can help. A BIM consultant understands the needs of the construction company and advises on the ideal roadmap to follow. That could make a crucial difference to your BIM strategy.

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!

With the world becoming progressively more digitalized, it is now critically important that construction and AEC companies join that race too. The construction sector must recognize and understand the significance of implementing versatile construction technologies for business impact.

The construction industry is evolving every year, which implies that companies need innovative technology-based solutions that will assist them in adapting to the continually changing needs of their customers and to face up to the challenges of the new age. The business is competitive, economic conditions are inconsistent, cash flow is always tight, and profitability is constrained.

But even as the construction industry is considering embracing technology it is not exempt from the difficulties of adopting these new advanced digital technologies. To choose and adopt an advanced technology suitable for such traditional organizations is usually a long and rocky road. There’s a tricky balance to be maintained here. This post is about that balance.

As the complexity of construction projects increases, companies that are enhancing and incorporating these new technological advancements and digital tools into their organizations are setting themselves up for success in the future. Those that refuse to innovate and adapt and continue to work the same way; they are likely to struggle to keep pace.

Building Information Modelling and project management software, and the growing capabilities of mobile devices can help construction companies with scheduling, planning, and estimation. The coming together of these solutions can enhance communication and collaboration between teams. This can help construction companies deliver better quality projects, in a shorter time, and with optimized effort outlays. Better estimation can help reduce waste. Better communication and collaboration can reduce clashes and rework. All of this can lead to better effectiveness, greater efficiency, and higher profitability.

Drones and wearable can be used to monitor workers and ongoing work and keep people safe on construction sites. VR can be used to train workers in safe conditions. Robots and other equipment will allow workers to be more productive by easing some of the strenuous tasks. These technologies can help construction become safer, improve compliance with rules and regulations, and also be more green and sustainable.

The advantages of implementing innovative construction technology include:

· Avoid costly errors
· Increase in revenue
· Improve customer satisfaction
· Decrease liability issues
· Increase safety & security
· Stay up-to-date
· Flexible documentation
· Increase worker accountability
· Better communication

Clearly, companies that are embracing new tech stand to gain significant advantages.

Regardless of all the clichés about the reality of change, the truth is that it can be hard for people to acknowledge impactful alterations to the way they do things. This is especially true in the association we have with technology-based products because the change can be very fundamental. The result is that construction businesses continue to under-invest in innovations, even though there are significant benefits the technology can provide to their construction projects. The challenges are many.

1. The ability to diminish old or redundant frameworks and focus on high-value systems that will guarantee productivity and reduce cost is essential in the construction industry. But making this switch from legacy systems is hard and disruptive.
2. As more innovations penetrate the enterprise, organizations must have adequate IT specialists on their teams and access to a large digitally savvy workforce. The existing staff may need to gain an in-depth understanding of the technology. But is it easy for these companies to train their existing people? And is it even feasible for them to hire technology resources, engage, motivate, challenge, and retain them in the face of competition from technology-specific companies from centers like Silicon Valley? In fact, access to tech-savvy resources may be the single biggest barrier to the adoption of technology for small and mid-sized construction companies.
3. These companies need to invest time and resources, executive support, offer robust training, and create autonomy and adaptability to track and measure key metrics. Many of these areas call for a cultural change, revamped organizational workflows, and changes to the operational and performance metrics the organization has become used to. Such changes are excruciatingly hard to implement.

Despite the challenges, we are rapidly reaching the point where tech-driven innovation will become a critical component of all construction projects. At that point, the organizations that are early adopters and are implementing the changes into their workflows will have a noticeable advantage over those that don’t.

Picking, validating, and adopting technology is all about planning and executing correctly. The solution may be to start with planning and then move to implement innovative technology in stages. Defining priorities, achieving small wins, and driving incremental change that everyone can see, sense, and be a part of could help the new ways take root. Talent constraints can be addressed by finding a technology partner with the available bandwidth to help you kick off your own technology initiative. This kind of partnership will help your organization get started with the benefit of hand-holding from an expert who would have “been there, done that.”

The construction industry is on the cusp of a digital transformation that could lead to the downfall of companies that refuse to adapt to the advancements. Technology from drones to robots to Building Information Modelling (BIM) and big data is rapidly changing how the construction and development industry will design and build structures. It’s up to these companies to sort out their complicated relationship with technology to live long and prosper.

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.

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.

Back in June 2017, the US government released the 2018 infrastructure budget proposal. This plan included $200 billion of federal spending over the next decade and this would spur about $1.3 trillion in overall spending tied to the various infrastructure projects from cities, states, and private firms. 

There’s no doubt about the opportunities the sector has to offer. It’s also true that the USA leads the world when it comes to construction. This is a massive industry. But why are so many headlines dominated by news of delayed projects, missed deadlines, penalties, and poor financial performance? 

One of the reasons is the sector lags others in the adoption of technology. Software-driven solutions exist for streamlining planning, operations, project management, and maintenance. But adoption is lower than optimal.

BIM, a key technology used in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry is a great example. The software is a proven enabler of better planning, collaboration, monitoring, resource estimation, and maintenance support. Some other leading construction markets have made the use of BIM mandatory for public infrastructure projects. Consulting powerhouse PwC estimates that the UK has seen savings of over 400 million Pounds per year since their BIM mandate. 

But qualified BIM resources are hard to find. Those that are available are expensive. This is an even bigger problem for small construction companies or companies located away from the traditional tech hotspots.

This is where working with BIM partners is rising up the popularity charts. Like the software sector, companies have often felt that the chief reason to work with a BIM partner was to leverage the cost advantage. But there are some other solid reasons why working with BIM partners makes sense:

Hub of talented professionals – As we mentioned, finding talented BIM professionals is a major obstacle for companies looking to kick off BIM for their projects Managment. This problem is easily solved by hiring a BIM partner. There is no need for the construction company to find, train or retain people. The partner brings the right skills to the table. They ensure that their experts are updated with the latest developments in technologies and construction methods. What the construction company gets is a reliable source of expert BIM talent.

The experience to learn from – All construction projects are complex. But adding the layer of technology like BIM, inevitably, brings in a major variation. This may need changes in other areas like communication, review patterns, and workflows. A BIM partner with the right credentials can make it easier for construction companies to make that change. They don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Instead, they can lean on the experience of the BIM partner who has “been there, done that”. The partner will communicate frequently and clearly and address any problems proactively. This will make it easier to increase the collaboration between the stakeholders. This could also, potentially, mitigate several other risks associated with the projects and reduce frustration and pitfalls in the long run. This enhances outcomes by improving efficiencies. 

Fast off the blocks – By hiring BIM partner agencies, construction firms can get an instant injection of expert BIM talent. The BIM partner would usually have larger BIM-specialist teams in place that they would have built up over many years. They would have a reputation as a BIM expert. This gives them the advantage of being able to hire fast when needed. For the construction company this means that if there’s a need to ramp up a team, this can be done right away. This is an important aspect for firms who want to get their projects started right away. Of course, the reverse also applies in that when the spike in work is done, the BIM partner can also scale back equally quickly. This ability to ramp up and scale back on-demand could become a massive competitive advantage for the construction company.

Consistent quality – The right BIM partner will have, both, breadth and depth of experience. Such partners would have worked on large, complex projects. They would have end-to-end experience of different types of construction projects. They would know the impact that BIM can deliver at each stage of such projects and what they have to do to deliver that impact. This will enable them to infuse those benefits into every stage of your projects too. Rather than the construction company having to “learn on the fly”, it can depend on high-quality BIM output from the very start. This will ensure consistency and quality across the entire project, irrespective of nature or scale.  

Hire a BIM Partner for Maximum ROI

The AEC, MEP, and construction industry is undergoing several changes and innovations. The companies that embrace this change are likely to stand out and make an impact. Working with an expert partner can make it easier for construction companies to adopt the challenging new technologies that can deliver transformative impact. It’s either that or stay rooted in the old ways and watch the construction world pass them while riding the technology wave