Published on February 26th, 2020 | by Sunit Nandi

How Digital Technology is Revolutionizing the Construction Industry

Seeing as digital technology is continually changing the world as people know it, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it is doing the same for the construction industry. However, digital technology is arguably more prevalent in other sectors such as retail, manufacturing, and agriculture.

Why is this? Well, a portion of long-standing construction firms are, to put it simply, stuck in their ways. They fail to see the benefit of adopting new processes and opt to go with the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach.

This mindset is slowly but surely shifting. This is down to how extremely advantageous it is for construction companies to adopt digital technology. It can help to reduce – or even eliminate – a wide variety of issues, including:

Labor shortages
Resources shortage
Waste production
Climate change

To better understand how digital technology is changing the game, now is the time to look at certain methods that are improving the construction industry:

Management and communication

With the combination of smartphones and specialist software, it is easier than ever for all members of a construction firm to stay in touch. Project managers can utilize software to schedule day-to-day tasks, track progress, create reports, and more.

Due to these improvements in communication and management, time is saved for more pressing construction-related aspects.

Tracking finances

In the same way software can be used to manage daily activities, it can also be implemented to keep finances in check. With job costing software, you have the opportunity to manage all of your costs and invoices in one place. This means you can continually track expenses such as materials and labor. Along with having the figures on-hand at all times, the software also helps decide in real-time the profitability of each project.

For a helping hand in which option to go with, Project Manager News reveals the ten best job costing software packages on the market today.

Building Information Modeling

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has helped transform the way construction plans are made. Instead of producing blueprints in a traditional fashion, BIM utilizes 3D technology. As a result, it delivers a much more dynamic and accurate mockup of building plans.

As well as depicting plans in a better method than ever before, the technology also has the advantage of editing. If any changes to the plan need making, these can be done and the model will update in real-time instantly.

Virtual reality

Alongside augmentation, virtual reality is commonly paired up with the aforementioned BIM. This is because VR can supply a realistic simulation of a construction site – and all of the hazards workers need to avoid. This way you have the ability to teach contractors about safety in a practical form.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can further enhance and simplify tasks for construction firms. By employing AI, it’s possible to create reports which are full of helpful information. For instance, they could estimate the amount of work done and the time needed to finish the job.

Due to it being able to recognize buildings by their size, shape, and location, algorithms utilized by AI can report on possible construction site errors.

Tags: construction, digital technology, industry, revolution

About the Author

Sunit Nandi I'm the leader of Techno FAQ. Also an engineering college student with immense interest in science and technology. Other interests include literature, coin collecting, gardening and photography. Always wish to live life like there's no tomorrow.