Technology adoption in construction is strewn with challenges. Rob Norton plots a route to smooth those challenges out.
As the construction industry continues on its digital transformation journey, the conversation around technology adoption has matured from the foundational ‘why’ to the more intricate ‘how’. It’s an encouraging nod to the potential of emerging solutions to tackle longstanding efficiency and productivity challenges, mitigating common issues such as decentralised data, resource wastage, and project delays.
A recent uptick in adoption underscores the sector’s appetite for more, yet despite the potential benefits, adopting new technology can be a minefield. The goal is to find solutions that are easy to use, won’t break the bank and, actually fit the bill. That said, the journey to digital nirvana is rarely smooth sailing. Keeping abreast of the latest trends in a crowded marketplace can be daunting, and for smaller outfits, the initial investment can be a hard pill to swallow.
Navigating these waters calls for a bit of savvy shopping, picking out tech that matches needs and doesn’t require an encyclopedia to use.
“Adopting modular and scalable solutions also plays a pivotal role in facilitating a smoother transition to digital operations. This allows construction firms to tackle specific challenges in a phased manner.”
Charting a course for success
The path to widespread digital adoption is strewn with obstacles, including interoperability issues, financial barriers and, sometimes, steep learning curves. Digital platforms that boast user-friendly interfaces and ergonomic designs can significantly enhance workflow efficiency, taking the pain out of daily tasks like document management and reporting. Logical workflows can also simplify record management, saving valuable time that can be better spent on other tasks.
Meanwhile, providing comprehensive training and support is essential for facilitating smooth integration and ensuring teams can benefit from new digital tools as soon as possible to maximise return on investment. This is particularly challenging in the face of a global shortage of skilled workers. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ 2023 Q4 UK construction monitor found more than 50% of respondents highlighted that a labour shortage is affecting building activity. With the right training in place and ongoing support from technology providers, this is something that can be remedied.
Adopting modular and scalable solutions also plays a pivotal role in facilitating a smoother transition to digital operations. This strategy allows construction firms to tackle specific challenges in a phased manner and scale solutions as necessary, making the digital adoption process more manageable and less overwhelming.
Interoperability and scalability
Interoperability is another critical factor. The construction industry must prioritise solutions that can seamlessly integrate with both legacy systems and new tech stack additions. This approach not only streamlines data management and sharing, but also fosters collaboration across different project stages and often disjointed supply chains. As a result, all project stakeholders can benefit from standardised processes and greater visibility. This mitigates miscommunication that can lead to errors and costly project delays. For example, collaborative file management platforms can help to establish a holistic network that accommodates a range of programs and devices.
“Technology providers and construction professionals must forge a collaborative path forward to ensure that the digital solutions are tailored to meet the construction industry’s specific needs.”
Riding the building safety wave
In today’s increasingly stringent regulatory environment, choosing tech that supports compliance with building safety regulations is another marker for success. Proactively adopting compliant, user-friendly digital tools simplifies adherence to regulations, like the Building Safety Act, ensuring that projects not only meet, but exceed industry standards.
The construction industry is a matter of months away from the end of the Building Safety Act’s grace period, meaning contractors and developers must have their houses in order to ensure robust safety reporting. With the implementation of the mandatory golden thread of information (currently for higher-risk buildings, 18m or above), the clock is ticking. A concrete digital plan can help teams stay on the right side of regulations to limit this impact. User-friendly features such as a no-fuss way to upload documents and track approvals, tools to handle fire safety checks and systems that let you share data in the cloud can make all the difference.
All aboard
Technology providers and construction professionals must forge a collaborative path forward to ensure that the digital solutions available are not only innovative for the sake of it, but also tailored to meet the construction industry’s specific needs and workflows. Staying on course through the ongoing digital transformation in construction demands a thoughtful and comprehensive approach.
Industry leaders must champion the development and adoption of user-centric, interoperable, and scalable technologies that address the unique challenges and opportunities within the construction sector. By doing so, they can enhance operational efficiency, productivity and compliance across the industry, paving the way for a future where digital innovation drives sustained growth and success. This journey, while complex, offers an unparalleled opportunity to reshape the construction landscape, making it more resilient, agile and aligned with the evolving demands of the modern world.
Rob Norton is UK director of PlanRadar.
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