No part of a construction project is done in isolation. On the contrary, every project has many moving parts that come together in the end. But due to the increasing complexity of modern construction projects, a small mistake can delay the entire construction process. Wrong information can create a real snowball effect and cost your company time, money and employee motivation.
One way to prevent this from happening, which more and more construction managers are introducing to their teams, is connected construction. In general, connected construction, as its name suggests, connects teams across all parts of a project (even across sectors). Companies that have already embraced connected construction report an increase in productivity and employee morale.
Jim Stephen is an Account Executive for Building Solutions at Microsol Resources, an Autodesk reseller . He will teach the fundamentals of connected construction and its place in the AEC industry.
What is connected construction?
We can think of connected construction as a network that provides a continuous flow of data and analysis. It connects workplaces, machines and workers, which makes everyone's work easier and improves productivity. By integrating workflows, you ensure that all stakeholders have the visibility they need to work together more efficiently. And when all stakeholders are connected, there are no delays and errors are much less likely to occur.
In the simplest terms possible, connected construction enables open communication between all teams working on a project. It helps you ensure everyone has the information they need, when they need it, which leads to more efficient project management.
Some of the main options that connected construction offers are:
- data analysis
- Real-time project visibility
- collaboration
- dynamic work planning
- worker safety
Benefits of using connected construction
1. Real-time updates that minimize risk
This may be the biggest benefit of connected construction. With connected construction, you have one source of information for your entire project and all the complex data needed for construction in one place. This means that if one part of the team realizes they made a mistake and makes a change, that change will show up everywhere. This way, everyone always has up-to-date and relevant information, which prevents new errors. This can also make the construction process much faster as there are no delays for everyone to be up to date on the latest tweaks.
2. Systems Interoperability
The connected build also includes software that works well with other programs. This means that information is automatically shared between different programs, which in turn helps to avoid duplication of the same task. So, instead of transferring information from one system to another, everything is updated at once.
3. Connected Assets
With modern sensors becoming smaller and smarter, they can be placed virtually anywhere on a construction site. Through sensors, companies can obtain information about soil conditions, temperature, humidity, etc. This way, they save time and money, as obtaining this data would require weeks and a team of professionals. What's more, having all this information available with just a few clicks makes it easier to prevent accidents like fire or water.
4. Worker Safety
On any construction site, the health and safety of workers is a priority. And connected construction is a great way to reduce workplace risks and ensure no accidents happen on site. Construction managers and operators can plan work and identify potential risks through real-time visuals. This way, they can take safety measures as soon as they think there is a potential danger on the construction site.
How Connected Building Will Shape the Future of the AEC Industry
AEC is the industry that has always been influenced and improved by technological advancements. With connected construction, this is truer than ever. Thus, the use of connected construction in AEC could transform the industry, introducing, for the first time, a comprehensive view of ongoing projects.
And with a complete view of an ongoing project, a company can make the most of its time and resources. Putting this into numbers means a company could reduce engineering hours by 10-30%, construction costs by 5-10%, and operating costs by 10-20%. These are incredible numbers, which in the long term mean more time and money for additional projects and company growth.
Connected construction could (and will) improve the way AEC companies deliver projects, allowing them to imagine, create and build structures that were unimaginable just a decade ago.
Where to start with connected construction
With so many advantages, it is difficult to imagine the future of AEC without connected construction. When you consider that teamwork is crucial in these industries, it becomes clear that smooth communication and data transfer are necessary for the projects of the future.
So make sure your team has the right tools for the next big project. But if you don't know where to start, you can't go wrong with Autodesk Construction Cloud. A priority of this software is to reduce time and increase clarity. What's more, it's easy to use, which means your team will embrace it right away.
Conclusion
If you want to work harder and deliver better projects faster, you need smart, innovative solutions. And connected construction is a solution that has the potential to shape the future of the AEC industry. It can help your company at every stage of the process – from planning a project to its execution. Once you introduce connected construction to your team, it'll be hard to imagine you ever worked any differently.
So don't waste time – with technologies like connected construction, there's no excuse for that!
Author:
Jim Stephen is an account executive for construction solutions at Microsol Resources, based in New York. He is focused on delivering the Autodesk Construction Cloud portfolio to help U.S. general contractors, subcontractors and construction management companies refine their workflows, reduce risk and maximize their profit margins. He has over five years of experience providing software solutions to international, award-winning architecture, engineering and construction companies. He is an avid reader, a lifelong learner and passionate about the built environment.
