How is fast-evolving technology changing the industry?
Technology has significantly transformed the construction industry, enhancing efficiency, communication and collaboration. The advances—including the use of artificial intelligence (AI)—just keep on coming. Where are we now, and what does the future hold?
Technology has significantly transformed the construction industry, enhancing efficiency, communication and collaboration. The advances—including the use of artificial intelligence (AI)—just keep on coming. Where are we now, and what does the future hold?
Cody Woiwood and Nate Womble, project managers at HRTLND in Iowa, said the industry has embraced technology, moving away from manual processes and toward a more connected, efficient future. They pointed out a few key changes:
- Teams now rely on mobile devices and tablets for real-time communication, document sharing and task management.
- Building information modeling (BIM) and virtual design and construction have made pre-construction planning more effective. These tools allow for better visualization, clash detection and coordination among project stakeholders.
- Unlike in the past, where siloed solutions were common, modern tools integrate with each other. Project management, enterprise resource planning software and communication platforms facilitate seamless collaboration between field and office teams.
- Companies are implementing technology to improve processes, enhance customer experiences and drive business growth.
- Laser distance measurement, 3D scanning and augmented reality improve accuracy in layout and measurement tasks on construction sites.
- AI is increasingly used in construction for predictive analytics, safety monitoring and resource optimization.
Marcus Bollom, director of construction operations at Marek in Texas, appreciates the trend toward more collaborative software applications, which benefit both the field and office. “These are also becoming more intuitive, reducing the need for intensive user training,” Bollom said. “This has also brought about a greater awareness of cybersecurity.”
Indeed, the construction industry is not immune to cyber criminals, said Nathan Buckner, Marek’s information technology service delivery manager. “Security does not stop at the firewall—continued user education of simulated phishing and other cybersecurity attacks is just as critical in keeping your business secure.”
The proliferation of tablets and smartphones on the jobsite, accompanied by advanced software programs, has improved the ability to capture and document information on site and in real time.
“Software programs for estimating have started to take over in the offices,” said Jessica Peiffer, president of BCT Walls & Ceilings Inc. in Pennsylvania. “Tablets and smartphones for use by the foremen and field supervisors have had an impact.”
As project management software has become more robust, teams gain more insight into real-time analytics, reducing the risk of miscommunication, said James Kahler, president and CEO of Northwest Partitions in Washington.
“Paperless is the new norm as we store everything in the cloud,” Kahler said. “Laptops and multiple large monitors are a must, and BIM continues to gain adoption.”
“We stopped using paper plans in our office years ago, and the paper we use is minimal—that was a big step for us,” said Veronica BeBonise, president of G&C Plaster, EIFS & Drywall Inc. in Wareham, Massachusetts. “Cloud storage has increased the speed and accuracy of communication.”
On the jobsite, Northwest Partitions’ project supervisors and workers use smartphones and tablets to access plans and real-time budget variances, submit reports, enter time for payroll and communicate instantly with the office team members. And the technology keeps advancing at a rapid pace in ways nearly unfathomable a few decades ago.
“We are adopting robotic field printers for fast and accurate layout and walkthroughs to capture each step of the project with 360-degree video to coordinate planning, visualize site progress and virtually walk and inspect the site,” Kahler said.
Kenneth Ottinger, director of quality assurance at Kitchell Quality Group in Arizona, pointed out how new technology can help improve quality. “Collaborative virtual environment is becoming a huge asset, allowing trades, design teams, field teams and design support elements to ‘walk around’ inside building models and solve problems across the country—and world—without leaving their offices,” Ottinger said. “When we combine this with augmented reality, so that a site team member can provide real-time in-place visuals to overlay the virtual reality model, the benefits are incredible.”
BIM is being introduced earlier and earlier in the design phase, he said. This allows quality teams to “fly around” models, “applying a critical eye toward sequencing challenges and complex transition points that should have additional details provided by the design team,” he said. “It also helps us target potential conditions that should be incorporated into true problem-solving mockups—mockups that are more than giant aesthetic storyboards.”
Rapid technological advancements will continue to improve productivity, communication, efficiency, safety and quality in construction. Companies that embrace the latest tools can place themselves ahead of the pack, offering clients the latest solutions.
David C Phillips, a freelance writer and photographer, is an original founding partner at Words & Images.
