What is Digital Transformation in the Construction Industry?
The construction business operates in a highly competitive environment that requires constant innovation and efficiency. The frequent usage of digital technology such as BIM, data analytics, GIS, LIDAR in the design, building, and operation phases of projects has expanded in recent years.
Several challenges surface in the digital construction industry such as the requirement to transit from traditional 2D, segregated disciplinary inputs, distinct contractors or subcontractors, and segregate operators to a more inclusive integrated delivery model. Value for money, increased efficiency, and lower life cycle costs are becoming increasingly important to society and governments. Current methods frequently lead to ambiguity about what is required, and modifications are frequently made when needs are clarified.
If the true benefits of technology and other industry developments are to be realized, behavioral transformation from a conflictual to a collaborative approach is required.
In the construction industry, there are several barriers that keep companies from digital transformation. Many construction projects are planned on paper, which creates a disconnect between field and office, and construction professionals must align on the process, technology tools, and learn new technical skills.
Yet investment in construction technology has doubled in the past decade. The most innovative construction companies are choosing technology partners that provide intuitive tools that every team member can use to collaborate more effectively — keeping projects on track and on budget.
The right technology platforms position enterprise to stay competitive, grow revenue — and provide tremendous benefits to owners, investors, project planners, and the subcontractors and workers they hire to execute. We call it project controls.
Project Controls is a process that encompasses the resources, procedures, and tools for the planning, monitoring, and controlling of all phases of the capital project lifecycle. This includes estimating, cost and schedule management, risk management, change management, earned value progressing, and forecasting.
5 construction industry trends driving digital transformation are:
– Increased pressure to finish faster and cheaper
– Focus on proactive safety
– Improved collaboration
– Lapse in real-time communication
– Embracing automation
Emerging construction technology isn’t just a fad or a fun new toy. There are real, practical applications and benefits to modernizing your current processes. construction technology services companies want to remain competitive and not be left behind, they are finding ways to integrate new approaches into their strategy and workflows.
These cutting-edge technologies in construction are drastically changing how the industry operates and how future projects will be performed. Like, Cloud-based systems provide easy, secure access from anywhere. Configurable solutions adapt to how you manage your processes and business. A modern system provides forward-looking insights and connects cost, schedule and scope.
With no doubt, 2019 is expected to be a breakthrough year for the construction industry. A data-driven sector with an emphasis on collaboration and real-time communication is hopefully around the corner. The construction industry is under a significant paradigm shift. The experts believe we can expect to see the most noteworthy trends in the construction industry next year.
Types of Digital Transformation?
- Transformation of the Business Model
Process transformation stresses on certain business sectors. The foundational building blocks of how value is delivered in a specific industry are the focus of business model transformations. In essence, businesses are transforming their business models through digital transformation. Netflix’s redesign of video distribution and Apple’s reinvention of music delivery: iTunes are two examples of this type of business model innovation. - Organizational transformation
To achieve long-term digital transformation in any industry, a redefinition of organizational mindsets, procedures, personnel, and capabilities for the digital age is always required. Digital transformation needs a flexible workflow, a decentralized decision-making process, a leaning toward testing and learning, and a higher reliance on various business ecosystems, according to the most successful organizations. Experian, a consumer credit agency, is one of the best examples of this organizational shift. - Process Transformation completely
Much of the focus inside the corporate environment has been on innovative ways to reinvent business processes to save costs, enhance quality, or shorten cycle times, using data, analytics, APIs, and machine learning, among other technologies. Companies like Domino’s Pizza, where customers may now order from any device, are examples of successful process transformation.
Digital construction Approaches
- Be patient and wait for confirmation of digital success
This first technique will benefit firms who are looking for empirical data. The problem with this method is that you run the danger of being stuck in limbo until your digital transformation takes off. It gives competitors a significant edge if their digital success occurs sooner than yours. - Create a comprehensive digital strategy.
This method focuses on creating a strategy that is as complete as feasible right away. It necessitates a well-thought-out long-term strategy. The all-encompassing digital transformation strategy emphasizes culture change and quick innovation implementation. It’s usually a costly approach with numerous risks. - Digital skill delivery is done in stages.
After selecting an initial aim and route, this method focuses on delivering benefits as a corporation travels toward a potential changing digital destination. However, as the company grows, lessons learned and fresh inputs are taken into account, affecting the digital goal and, in some cases, the path to the destination.
Hence, the need for investing in the digital transformation of business practices, products, and organizations has never been greater before.