How can you use construction technology to work smarter?

The biggest challenge is never related to a 35%+ designed project as we always bake contingencies into our cost and scheduling. What completely reeks havoc on my life is the 3 year global master planning we roll up site by site (152 sites) with 0 design and 0 professional estimating input. We then prioritize and set allocations, later to find out those initial estimates were off by $25-50m 😩… having a technology that incorporates all variables, geo-political, pandemics, zip code, material trends etc etc would be a game changer for me and my peers

Understanding the economic imperatives that underpin technology evaluation, is foundational to effective sourcing. In the absence of economic context, technology, for Construction, drifts into silos, and eventually withers, draining costs, resources and good-will with it. We at The Proptech Connection always look to discuss current economic imperatives impacting Construction and demonstrate how to unpack one of these economic imperatives, to begin aligning business-need to global technology-solutions. The best tech adopters ask the "right" questions early in the process and map out the hierarchy of need.

From a company's perspective, digital tools can only be as good as the processes into which they are integrated allow them to be. As soon as a switch is made from a digital to an analog or decoupled process, information and significant potential savings are lost - such as when 3D models are printed out as 2D plans and used on the construction site.

Estimating software in preconstruction is essential for project success. It ensures accurate cost estimates, driven by historical data and market conditions, preventing costly overruns. This software enables rapid cost modeling, empowering informed decisions. Effective collaboration is facilitated, reducing miscommunication and delays. Incorporating estimating software is a strategic choice that builds a strong foundation for success.

Understanding your tech stack in construction is becoming absolutely critical to eliminate silos of information and double entry. We have new digital tools, but when making selections you need to see where the overlap can actually streamline your processes.

Implement BIM system to create detailed 3D models of construction projects. BIM enables better project visualization, design coordination, and clash detection, reducing errors and rework.

We are seeing a lot of institutional interest, like pensiun funds, how they could benefit from using BIM models for their buildings during the operational phase (they do not develop/construct buildings). What are some of the use cases and what has already been stress tested by other investment managers. How do you solve this rather large complex problem, understanding that every need for use case is very specific to the requirements of the customer

BIM should now be commonplace in our requirements for a new asset - what we need to embrace is the evolution to digital twins. Not only will we reap the benefits of better designs that have already been checked for automated clash detection and integrated with the MEICA systems but we can include the operational and maintenance and ultimately the decommissioning phase of our assets using these models. As we become more efficient in their use, include embedded sensors as standard in our assets to monitor them using AI, we can evolve to have connected digital twins that can share data and truly unless the potential for considered and connected infrastructure.

When using BIM, effort is shifted to design activities to benefit during the execution phase and in collaboration with all project stakeholders to be more efficient across an entire project. In order to derive the maximum benefit from BIM, interdisciplinary collaboration (big BIM) in combination with an open exchange of information (open BIM) will receive increasing attention in the future.

BIM (Building Information Modeling) is pivotal in modern construction due to its numerous advantages. It promotes collaboration by providing a shared digital platform for stakeholders, enhances visualization through 3D modeling, aids in precise cost estimation, reduces project timelines, ensures quality, supports sustainability, and simplifies facility management. BIM also aids in compliance with regulations and offers a competitive edge. Its global adoption underscores its significance, making it an indispensable tool for construction professionals and firms aiming to excel in today's industry.

The use of VR and AR can make a significant contribution to making processes on the construction site more efficient and reducing errors. However, it is essential to prepare the digital models and plans in advance, because only readily available and usable data are the prerequisite for the efficient use of these technologies.

These solutions are cool in the design phase when clients want to visualize their space. But using VR/AR to visualize BIM in the field is still in its infancy. It requires geospatial tags for the headset to understand where it is for BIM overlay. It's very expensive (think $2M for a 200,000 sq. ft. data center project). Great for spot checking high density rooms but I'd steer folks to reality capture solutions as more practical (think OnsiteIQ, Openspace).

VR and AR can help homeowners walk through your future new home or remodeled one. You can see exterior and interior details, and approve or correct them. Efficiently, you can change colors and textures, change sofa or bath tube. You can see your rooms in the morning and with lights in the evening. It's an amazing possibility that couldn't be imagined in the past.

AR can be used for site clarifications of complicated projects/Areas such as but not limited to Pump rooms, Mechanical rooms and Electrical rooms. It will be a great tool to see the 3D model with just a mobile or tablet. VR is amazing when it comes to 3D coordination and visualization specially when we need to feel rather than see. Development of both AR/VR will gain the construction another aspects and benefits that will surly help the industry stakeholders.

In a challenging retrofit project, AR was a game-changer. Overlaying design plans onto the actual site drastically reduced installation errors. Meanwhile, with VR, new team members got acquainted with the project environment virtually, ensuring they were ready from day one.

The use of drones can definitely help in many ways. To looking at laydown yard area as well as traffic flow around a large site . You can look and make sure you don't have any bottlenecks with a crane or even your digging crew to dig and haul dirt away to making sure your concrete trucks have a good access for placing the concrete or any equipment modules for the site. Besides the fact that you can check on progress daily and see the site come to life.

3D printing is revolutionizing the construction industry by automating and streamlining the construction process. It offers greater precision and efficiency, saving time and reducing labor costs. The technology allows for intricate and unique designs, providing architects and engineers with greater design freedom. 3D printing promotes sustainability by minimizing waste production and enabling the use of eco-friendly materials. Overall, 3D printing in construction offers automation, sustainability, and affordability, leading to greater efficiency and environmental consciousness in the industry.

I watched and waited for the drone technology to evolve (about a dozen years) before I was able to utilize it in my field. And machine controls have saved a ton of money in survey costs, and the quality of grading in the field is amazing. I'm an old guy that's always embraced any technology that made my job easier and better equipped. I put all of my paper plans on Google Drive before most folks had even looked at cloud storage. I just couldn't wait to get all of those dang plans out of my truck ! It's all priceless to me now👌

Drones and Robotics are widely used nowadays, especially in high-risk activities (welding, at hight materials installation). We can use Robotics for installation to ensure the uniformity of installation as an example. Drones are the future of construction.

Drones and robotics play a key role in the crane and rigging section of the construction industry. We are commonly seeing more frequent use of conventional drones for crane inspections. We are also seeing drone and robotic technology being utilized in crane rigging equipment such as a semi-autonomous propulsion-driven below-the-hook rigging device known as the Vita load Navigator. This was created by Vita Inclinata Technologies in Broomfield, Colorado and is being used across the world. This device allows crane operators and riggers to have precision control over load and speed up lifts while avoiding danger zones where taglines previously have required personnel to position.

I see some awesome applications of smart sensors on the facility operations and maintenance side. Sensors tracking heat and vibration for example can detect equipment at risk before it malfunctions and even automate technician dispatch.

Smart materials and sensors are catalysts for a more intelligent and responsive construction industry. These possess unique properties that adapt to environmental conditions, enhancing structural integrity and sustainability. Sensors, on the other hand, provide real-time data on various factors like temperature, humidity, and structural stress. This data empowers proactive maintenance and enables early detection of potential issues, preventing costly repairs. Together, smart materials and sensors elevate construction to a new level of efficiency, durability, and environmental consciousness. Embracing these innovations is not just a technological advancement, but a strategic move towards more resilient and sustainable built environments.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of technologies that provide transparency to energy markets, infrastructure projects, and real-time data. There are ways to look at your real labor, raw materials, and equipment efficiencies behind the meter in real-time. • Transparency will equip you with the information you need to understand how to lower costs and minimize environmental impact. • Data transparency makes it easy to measure by making the data actionable and accountable. • Companies can become leaders in sustainability by driving down costs, resource intensity, and environmental impact to lower market volatility. Fundamentally transform how your business interacts with natural resources. Impact your bottom line w/ Smart Tech.

Technology and innovation: Are successful only when the workforce are thoroughly educated on their usage. People at all level must adopt and implement them religiously in their work. Once technology even a simple one comes in DNA of workforce the productivity multiplies exponentially. For instance we started with flowable RMP few years back but the contractors and their workforce were not ready to use and didn’t accept this. So acceptance and execution is the success key for any technology for making construction much efficient and smarter

Prefabrication and Modular Construction: Prefabrication involves manufacturing building components off-site and then assembling them on-site. This approach reduces construction time, minimizes waste, and improves quality control. Modular construction takes prefabrication a step further by creating fully functional modules that can be easily assembled to create a building.

Utilizing smart materials and sensors ensures safer, faster, and more efficient project execution, making technology an indispensable ally in modern construction practices.

Getting buy in from a wide spectrum of different colleagues could be a challenge. Not everyone is going to appreciate the new document control app you've found and without collaboration it might fail to launch. Ease into process change so you can ensure everyone on the team thoroughly understands the problems you are trying to circumvent and how this product achieves this goal. If you find resistance, keep at it.

Two things to consider when implementing any technological device, tool or process in the construction industry: people and costs. If you cannot manage expectations beforehand and clearly define success criteria and duration to achieve those, you will fail no matter what you are presenting. People always resist to change. Make sure you communicate the goals and advantages clearly. That way you can also substantiate the initial costs.