Construction technology is an umbrella term, but it can be broken down into three main segments: construction business management systems, building information modeling (BIM), and construction project management.
This article will explore the pros and cons of each segment and help you understand how they affect your projects. We’ll also look at some of the most popular software available for construction technology today. Construction technology is a great investment for any company that builds or renovates on a regular basis.
What Is Construction Technology
Construction technology, or CTP, has come a long way since the early days of construction. In the past, computer-aided design (CAD) was used to design architectural plans and blueprints. Today, CAD software programs allow for more complex designs that can be imported into a construction management system (CMS).
Spending on engineering and construction will rise by 5% from 2021 levels.
Using the CMS software, a project manager can manage budgets, contracts and jobs from start to finish. This gives an added element of organization and control to any construction project.
The software allows architects to produce drawings that are accurate to submittal requirements and specifications. The software also provides management with information on their projects that they can track throughout their life cycle.
Importance Of Construction Technology
The process of construction and the building of facilities has heaps of data about buildings and capital assets that are not being used for the good of everyone involved in it. The importance of construction technology lies in the way that it can help people to make sense from these dispersed data, which can be useful for everything from planning, budgeting and operations to new projects.
In a typical business scenario, there are usually huge amounts of data related to buildings floating around. The CTP systems are designed with advanced features that allow users to make sense of such data by making proper use of them.
In 2021, the Construction Market was estimated to be worth $7.28 trillion.
The data can be classified into two types that are important for every project. Every single piece of information related to a facility or building needs to be effectively and efficiently handled by the construction management software.
This is vital for all companies involved in the construction business. The information which is suitable for various roles needs to be accurately formatted, organized and stored. Every aspect related to the facilities should be easily accessible for the users through these systems.
Pros Of Construction Technology
12% more building will be done overall in 2021 than in 2020.
There are many different types of construction companies, each with their own area of expertise. The construction industry is a very complex one, with many different stages and processes involved.
Civil engineering is just one aspect of the construction company, and construction companies often specialize in one or more areas. The construction process can be very long and complicated, and construction companies must be very organized and efficient in order to complete projects on time and within budget.
1. Accuracy At Every Stage
One of the best reasons to use CTP systems is that projects are built with more accuracy. The software allows the architect, contractor and project manager to make changes throughout design, construction and completion stages.
All the while, they can see how those changes affect construction costs and job schedules. That helps them keep costs under control while delivering a project that meets specifications and deadlines.
2. Improved Communication
The most frequently stated pain point for project managers is communication between team members. This makes it a nightmare to manage multiple teams on a single project site or even a multi-site project from one location.
With CTP software, all team members can communicate with one another electronically. This removes many of the communication barriers between project managers and their staff.
3. Enhanced Visibility At Every Stage
The construction management software software has enhanced visibility at every stage of the project. With online access to contractors’ information, and the information on drawings, the project manager is able to provide better guidance to owners and sub-contractors alike. It’s much easier for them to watch progress than it is to go back and forth with question after question over voice calls or e-mail messages.
4. Better Control Over Customer Expectations
With the power of CTP software, the project manager has better control over customer expectations. The system allows him or her to plan and coordinate the changes that are agreed upon by all parties.
It also helps them keep a pulse on the project budget and schedule throughout construction, so they can deliver a completed facility within deadline and budget constraints.
5. Enhanced Safety For Everyone Involved
Construction is inherently dangerous; construction technology is designed to prevent injuries as much as possible. With CTP, contractors are better able to control their workforce in a way that keeps everyone safe from accidents.
On-site supervisors also have more access to work orders and checklists through their smartphones or mobile devices. This way, they can monitor the type and amount of materials used on every job.
6. Improved Quality Throughout The Process
Construction managers must be able to trust the contractors working on their projects. With CTP software, they are better able to ensure that the work is being done properly before the job is completed.
That makes it easier for them to let go of any expectation that a project will be finished by a certain time or budget. It also makes it easier for them to accept risks if necessary during construction.
That gives them more assurance that all their decisions were made in good faith and with a good understanding of exactly how things will turn out at each step along the way.
7. Improved Safety For Both The Public And The Environment
People and the planet share an interest in seeing that construction projects are not a menace to either one of them. With CTP, contractors can input all their environmental impact data into their job site management software, which creates a digital record of where they dump their waste.
That helps them build in more sustainable practices into all of their building. That also makes it easier to track down the sources of leaks or other damage when they do occur.
8. Better Control Over Project Budgets
With CTP technology, project managers can control expenses better than ever before. The software is compatible with all major accounting systems, so contracts can be quoted and invoices issued to both the owners and contractors.
This gives them a wealth of information that helps them keep subcontractors on track, manage their budgets accordingly, and stay within their budget regardless of how much material or labor was used.
9. Better Control Over Project Staffing
Construction jobs are more complex than most other jobs. That’s why it’s wise to involve multiple construction professionals on every job to make sure it gets done right and on time.
With CTP software, there are more ways for those professionals to get in touch with one another electronically than ever before. The software also allows them to better manage the flow of materials, documents and information that everybody needs, when they need it.
10. Better Control Over Project Risks And Compliance Costs
With CTP software, there’s no need to waste time or money on unnecessary documentation. That means contractors can focus more on their work than their paperwork.
The software also makes sure that all regulatory requirements are met, helping the contractor avoid fines for any violations or hazards found during inspections. There are also cost-saving benefits that help keep projects in budget because identifying problems early helps reduce any needed call backs down the line.
Cons Of Construction Technology
Construction worker in developing countries are benefiting from technological innovations and technological progress. New tools and methods are making their jobs easier and safer, and helping them to be more productive. This is good news for the construction sector, which is an important driver of economic growth in many countries.
Between now and 2050, the construction industry must erect 13,000 structures a day to accommodate the 7 billion people who are predicted to live in cities.
New technologies are being developed all the time to increase energy efficiency. But skilled labor is needed to install and maintain these technologies. The cost of training new workers can be high, but the cost reduction and additional education can be worth it in the long run.
1. Potential Risks To Job Safety Or Privacy Of Data
With all the benefits of CTP, it’s easy to see how it can be a tempting target for criminals. The software also poses risks to job site safety and that might include the loss of control over privacy. No system is impenetrable and any type of breach in security could put both the public at risk and the entire construction project at risk.
2. High Cost For Implementation And Maintenance
CTP software can be expensive both to implement on a project site, but it’s also more costly down the line in terms of updates, licenses and fees for maintenance. Replacing an aging system is not cheap, and even though the cost of doing so might not be as much as a new system, it’s still likely to be significant.
3. Limited Scope Of Use
There are already electronic tools that can handle most construction work needs. At the most basic level, a project manager or supervisor can communicate with each other via e-mail and phone calls. Free web-based technologies like Basecamp and AgileProject.com enable real-time project collaboration for everyone on the job site.
4. Lack Of Design Customization
In the U.S., there are now 1.55 million new housing units planned annually, up from 583,000 in 2009.
Technology is often designed for specific use cases, which means that it’s built with a limited scope of use in mind. It doesn’t work as well in certain situations, like different types of construction or different departments. It also might not be as fast or efficient to use as the original plans suggested.
5. Limited User Access To Data And Information
CTP software can provide some benefits in terms of project workflow, but it can also prevent the project manager from discovering problems on the job site that could otherwise be easily found and fixed before they become more costly or dangerous situations.
6. Restrictive Licenses And Terms Of Use
Some CTP software is not compatible with other enterprise systems, and that’s especially true for proprietary methods used to keep information secure. It also can be hard to transfer licenses and rights to new users down the line.
7. Lack Of Supply Chain Visibility And Control
With CTP software, it can be hard to have full control over the entire process from start to finish. That might include delivering materials and installing them. It also might not be efficient to use during the build phase, which is when there are the most issues with labor and material costs.
8. Potential Increases In The Risk Of Fraud, Theft Or Embezzlement
Since CTP software is all about keeping track of everything that’s happening on a construction site, it gives workers yet more opportunities to inflate their hours or bill for items they never actually used or installed.
9. Unnecessary Growth In Project Management Costs
CTP software might seem like an excellent way to cut down on overhead costs by outsourcing to a third-party contractor, but that’s not necessarily the case. If managing a contractor is too expensive, it might make more sense to have a project manager and office staff deal with all the paperwork, invoices and estimates.
10. Risk Of Technology Failure Or Data Loss
With CTP software, there’s no guarantee that the hardware will last or that the system will be secure and stable for the long term. Like any system, it also may not be able to keep up with future changes in construction methods or processes. And in some cases, even though you’ll save money to start with, you might end up spending more down the line on repairs and upgrades.
Final Note
Construction technology is growing rapidly, but it’s still limited in some ways. Some of the new innovations are really exciting, like augmented reality that allows people to view and interact with plans, models and blueprints from anywhere around the job site. But without more advanced methodologies and strong integration between data sets, there’s no way to truly be efficient or effective on construction sites.
predicted a 35% worldwide growth rate over the following ten years.
At the same time, CTP is already providing a lot of benefits for construction projects as they’re being developed. It’ll be a while before every company adopts it or makes it obsolete altogether, but eventually it’ll evolve its own ecosystem of software tools that can handle different types of projects efficiently and safely.
Last Updated on October 10, 2023 by Priyanshi Sharma
