The aim of this article is to examine whether construction companies should embrace digital transformation. Is this the right direction, or will it stay a “brick and mortar” industry? We will do our best to provide an answer.
The construction industry is the least digitised sector that currently exists. Run by the ‘old boys’, it is still regarded as a “brick and mortar” type of business, but can this status be maintained in the future? We don’t believe so. Even if some oppose innovation and the digitisation of processes, the industry is still affected by it because the rest of the world is adopting it. Ultimately, there is no longer any time to waste on hesitation. The “brick and mortar” status of the construction industry must change.
Amidst increasing demands and expectations, the old approach can no longer achieve the necessary results. It risks causing companies to cease to exist. Embracing innovation is daunting and a shift many are reluctant to make, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. However, before beginning, you need to understand why it is essential to proceed.
How Digital Technology is Changing the Construction Industry?
Although still underutilised by the construction industry, digital technology has already begun shaping it. Companies that embrace digitisation are capable of more accurate project planning, forecasting, and resource allocation. Automating internal operations also allows them to shorten delivery times, process invoices more quickly, and creates a favourable environment for collaboration within the entire company or separate project teams.
In other words, digital technology is making the construction industry more efficient by eliminating manual admin tasks and enhancing communication. Furthermore, it does so without compromising health and safety concerns for on-site teams.
Digitisation Equals Opportunities
The main point to understand about digitisation is that although it requires effort, it is entirely worthwhile. Introducing digital tools into your everyday processes opens up new opportunities that can shape your business's future.
Efficiency and Simplicity
Using digital tools can elevate construction projects in multiple ways. First, it can significantly cut down the time spent on administrative tasks by automating most repetitive work, such as invoicing or timesheet calculations. Second, it is an approach less prone to errors since there’s minimal human involvement. And best of all, it can all be done with just a few clicks.
Digitisation enhances the transparency of both planning and executing construction projects. A centralised view enables the evaluation of progress from a broader perspective instead of focusing on short-term metrics. This not only establishes better and simpler control over the project's progress but also provides significant advantages when forecasting future tasks. Overall, digitisation offers many benefits to the construction sector. Most importantly, it makes your daily tasks simpler and more efficient.
Smooth Automated Workflows
Continuing with the theme of efficiency and simplicity, we must discuss automation. It is the key factor in making both achievable. A common misconception that discourages people from automation is thinking it has to be elaborate and complex. In reality, just a few small steps can greatly enhance the process and streamline the workflow. For instance, instead of chasing approvers of timesheets who haven’t done their part, you can set an automatic reminder to be sent if the task isn’t completed on time.
Processes like automatic handovers can also be managed through digital solutions. For example, when a team member completes a task and needs to pass it to their colleague, the software will notify them that it's their turn to step in, instead of requiring manual communication. This creates a smoother workflow by reducing unnecessary back-and-forth. Most automation is also driven by cloud solutions, which are not only excellent for reducing paper use but also highly suitable for agile and efficient collaboration because of their accessibility. Additionally, they can be used by multiple people at the same time, supporting real-time teamwork.
No Success Without a Challenge
As impressive as it all sounds, the process of innovation isn’t straightforward. Digitising a traditionally “brick and mortar” industry will present a number of obstacles you’ll need to overcome. The key to getting through them is having the right mindset.
Bringing Teams Up to the Level
People working in construction, whether on-site or in the office, often aren’t the most tech-savvy. This is especially true for older workers who have been in the sector for years, long before the world embraced digitisation. The change can be particularly challenging for them. Not only will it turn their daily routines upside down, but they might also find the new tools difficult to use. Ultimately, they might even continue with their preferred practices in secret, undermining the overall process.
The only way to prevent this is to ensure the transition is smooth and natural. Consider practices such as introducing the change gradually, one element at a time. Additionally, speak to vendors of the digital solutions you adopt to see if they can provide specialists for team training sessions. Also, don’t neglect to communicate what these changes offer and how they benefit your employees. Understanding the cause usually helps to open minds.
Not a Free Ride
Unfortunately, nothing comes free. Digitisation, like any effort to improve a business, is an investment. The main expense is the tools you need to advance it, but you are also likely to spend on additional elements such as training, implementation, and any potential add-ons you may require. How much you need to spend largely depends on your needs, goals, and the vendor you choose to work with.
Conversely, this is an investment that, if used wisely, will produce a significant return. Not to mention, given the ongoing digitisation of the industry, it is the only way for your business to stay resilient in the future. There is also a psychological benefit: people are more motivated to pursue goals and develop expertise when they have a financial stake involved. Since you have invested some hard-earned money into digitisation, you’re less likely to abandon it halfway and less prone to let your teams become complacent.
The Gap to Address
There is a significant gap between the construction sector and the rest of the world in terms of digital transformation. So significant that it can no longer be overlooked. We hate to admit it, but you cannot afford to waste time and wait for someone else to take the first step.
No More Time to Make Excuses
In simple terms, the construction industry can no longer move forward without adopting digital transformation. The demands for quality and punctual delivery are now too high, especially with health and safety concerns included. While it’s still possible to manage with the old methods, failing to digitise now could threaten your business. Do you believe this risk is greater than the challenge of guiding your team through the adjustment period?
Cloud solutions are essential for storing data in a centralised location, as data will become the foundation of digital transformation. Not only will you feed your existing information into the system, but you will also continue collecting data the more you use it. It will serve as your guiding light when building future processes, improving current ones, and generally making decisions for the business moving forward. Digital transformation isn’t a one-time event; it’s an ongoing process. You automate, collect data, optimise, analyse, and repeat the cycle. Without it, however, you risk being stuck where you are or even falling behind.
The essential foundations for digital transformation include cloud applications, such as: they allow large volumes of data to be stored centrally. This data will later be a key requirement for standardised and automated manufacturing processes on factory floors. Without digitisation in the construction sector, the industrial manufacturing industry will face significant challenges.
Summary
While the construction sector remains a ‘brick and mortar’ industry, the time for change is now. Ultimately, the era of digitisation and automation is catching up, and if you don’t embrace innovation, your business risks falling behind. As daunting as it may seem, digital transformation isn’t overly complicated. When executed correctly, it can elevate your organisation to new heights. In fact, simplicity lies at its core.
By automating various processes or individual steps within them, you are likely to experience faster and more efficient execution, as well as streamlining a range of workflows. In the long run, this is a worthwhile investment that offers significant returns. The time to recalibrate your teams, equipment, and the entire industry is now.
Don’t hesitate. Get the process started today with us.