How construction businesses can spot their next tech upgrade

The digitisation of the construction industry has flourished in recent years, signalling a surge in new and exciting tech. But with so many different applications now available on the market, how can construction professionals recognise the tools that are ‘nice- to-haves’ and those that truly enhance their business processes?

The past few years have seen the construction industry embrace digitisation on an unprecedented level. The pandemic proved to be the perfect catalyst for innovation as the need for remote working became instant. As a result, we have seen the construction industry flooded with new technology – designed to improve every stage of the construction journey – anything from specification platforms at the design stages of a build, down to project management tools for ‘hands on’ site workers.

Yet with such a wide range of tech to choose from, how can construction professionals ‘spot gold’ when searching for their next problem-solving platform?

[edit] Balancing the tech ‘ecosystem’

One of the key elements that construction professionals should look for in technologies is the ability to work
with other programmes. It is no longer enough for apps and tools to work well in a silo – now ‘interoperability’ credentials are essential if you want to make a significant impact on the efficiency and accuracy of your business.

It is not uncommon for construction companies to ignore this point, resulting in time-consuming reporting measures and large gaps in data collection, which lead to inaccuracies and a limited overview of business performance. The most successful tools – and the ones that are fast becoming market leaders, are those that can work alongside and in tandem with other applications.

By investing in tools that bring balance to your tech ‘ecosystem’, you will gain access to extensive levels of data, which offer a deeper understanding of how your business is performing. For example, when reporting, can the programme or platform incorporate word processing or spreadsheet files and can information be shared easily across teams? It is important to keep this way of thinking front of mind.

[edit] Easy uptake

The best types of tech are those that are the most intuitive to use, designed by people in the industry for people in the industry. Do not overlook functionality – the easier it is for your workforce to use, the higher your rate of success in the long term.

‘Phygital’ tools - those that bridge the digital world with the physical world - are becoming particularly popular. These can dramatically improve the user- experience over outdated methods of reporting, such as paper worksheets, which can be easily misplaced or lost. They also require little training to get users started, as they are often accessed using existing hardware such as phones or handheld devices.

[edit] Improving lines of communication

Communication is the beating heart of any business and tools which enhance this area are invaluable. For designers, knowing that builds have been completed to the right specification is a constant concern. The latest apps are now helping to solve that problem – by allowing users to record and store information digitally, specifiers can be sure that work has been carried out to the proper standard. The ability to instant message, assign tasks and send pictures and video in-app is another example of how information sharing is helping to keep teams ‘in the loop’ on building progress.

[edit] Avoiding ‘change for the sake of change’

Often businesses feel the pressure to switch up
their digital offering in line with industry changes – a
case of ‘keeping up with the Jones’. Whilst it is true that businesses should be wary of being left behind, it doesn’t mean that just any tool is right for the job. It is important to identify the right tools before making a decision – make a list of what is important to the business and what you want to achieve. Equally, understanding what you do not want from your tech is also an important part of the process.

[edit] What is to be gained?

The many elements that go into decision-making should not deter businesses from embracing a more digitally-focused way of working. At their core, digital tools have the power to enhance business efficiency, accuracy and ultimately the profitability of businesses. In today’s market, where profit margins are tighter than ever and building accuracy is high on the Government agenda, having tools that can improve these areas should be fully embraced.

Central to achieving this goal will be improving collaboration between teams – be it in-house or further afield. The ability to view design plans in-app, for example, means that teams can access the latest version when changes need to be made quickly, saving time and money. Greater communication also improves building accuracy, which negates the need for expensive reworks and helps to keep projects on time and budget.

With so many companies still relying on outdated technology, now could be the time to revolutionise your business. What’s needed is a greater awareness around the capabilities of digitals tools and a solid plan of action for those looking to make the leap.

This article appears in the AT Journal issue 142 Autumn as "How construction businesses can spot their next tech upgrade" and is written by Ibrahim Imam, Chief Executive, PlanRadar

--CIAT

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