VALUE OF DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Digital transformation is happening in all industries and in the construction sector as well. Technological innovations are not only limited to machine learning, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, or robotics. The construction industry, too, is benefiting a lot from technology in so many ways. Thanks to digital construction management, construction companies now have easy access to utility data that was so hard to access when it relied on paper-based data collection and storage methods.
Construction is one of the worlds’ digitized sectors. The digital transformation in the construction industry may introduce mobile device management, enterprise resource management, blast management, risk management, and transportation route management in every phase of the construction process.
One of the best-considered benefits of digital transformation, which can not be ignored, is building 3D environments, user experience, 3D reconstruction, laser scanning, and construction BIM visualization. Beyond the construction phase, we can even see the use of technological tools in building maintenance such as building automation tools.
Need of Digitalization in construction
- Reduces operational costs
- Reduces human mistakes
- Increases efficiency and productivity
Digitalization in the construction sector aims at achieving sector-specific tasks which are common for many leading countries around the world. A talented and diverse workforce, efficient and technologically advanced, low carbon and green construction exports and growth across the economy are some of the goals to achieve through digitalization in the construction industry. As per industry experts, the digital transformation in the industry is the way forward to achieve these goals within the next few years.
“A long time ago, technology adoption in the construction industry was slow as people were stuck in their old ways and not open to new ideas. All this is changing because companies now realize these new technologies’ impact. Only construction companies and professionals who are ready and willing to adopt new technologies can stay ahead of the curve. However, companies need to do thorough research before adopting any of the solutions. This way, they’ll know which solution works best for them.”
Benefits of Digitalization in construction
- Site visibility
Advanced digital construction management tools provide supervisors and project managers with site visibility. This allows them to see first-hand and in real-time as the assets are being installed, where they’re being installed, and the different tasks that the constructions materials are used for.
Digital construction management makes it easy to seamlessly integrate all that’s happening in the field to the back office for real-time operational awareness.
Before DCM, utilities often based decisions on partial or speculative information. Missing or inaccurate data hindered the ability to employ intelligent decision-making with confidence and certainty.
Today, advanced DCM platforms equip project managers and supervisors with real-time field visibility so they can see which assets are being installed, precisely where assets are located, the approved materials being used for each task, and more.
Mobile applications used in the field seamlessly integrate with web-based applications used in the back office. Everything is synced to the cloud for real-time operational awareness.
- Better Collaboration
Digital Collaboration can get access to that information so the job can move faster and can be done. It is about getting the information no matter where you are, whether you are around the world, and empowering everybody on the project theme. Working in a shared data environment is the tip for better collaboration. The standard data environment is a centralized, singular source of truth for the project. In this way, you can centralize that information in an electronic form in which everyone is contributing to that project and looking at the same set of information. The common data environment enables collaboration; it is ultimately about collaborating on the project to get the information in a unified way.
- Risk Mitigation and safety on-site
Working in Construction is not really like walking in the street and seeing a building project that you had a hand in contributing to come to life. Risk management aims to increase the likelihood of achieving the goals of the project while minimizing the negative effects of possible risks. By using digital transformation, you can mitigate the risks in the construction industry. The use of new digital technology like laser scanners and laser distance meters has reduced risky situations and provides detailed information.
- Increased Productivity
According to a recent Mckinsey report, construction spending accounts for 13% of the world’s GDP. However, the sector annual productivity growth has only increased by 1% over the past 20 years. Digital Technology is the key player that can help us to increase productivity in the construction industry. Digitalization in the construction industry uses digital tools, planning, designs, construction operation, and management of the building environment.
- Improved quality of buildings
CAD or Computer Aided Design tools are the most well-known digital technologies extensively used in architecture and engineering for design, drafting, and documentation. Its advantages include high accuracy, easy modification, easy scaling, flexible drawing size, import and export, and compatibility and integration with other digital technologies. Well, CAD helps in the improved quality of buildings as it allows you to make the perfect design of your structure. And, don’t forget the BIM integration and its benefits too.
- Faster Revenue Realization
By providing a single digital platform that unifies all construction data together, DCM ensures that project close outs are completed faster. Reduced time in the field, reduced costs, real-time reporting, automated material reconciliation – all of these benefits have a direct impact on revenue realization.
In addition to providing utilities with state-of-the-art technology, it’s important that DCM companies see themselves as a partner of their customers. They can give them the confidence they need to solve complex challenges now and in the future.