The construction industry is ever-evolving with new construction management trends making things easier for both employers and employees. More and more construction companies are adopting the latest technologies and using advanced construction management software to make their work faster and more efficient.
Let’s have a look at what the future of construction management has in store for us in 2020 and beyond.
Construction Management Trends 2020
1. Robotics
Robotics is set to make a huge impact on the construction industry. Robotics, mainly in the form of drones, are becoming increasingly popular with their use, rising by over 200 percent every year. The technology is offering far greater than just aerial photography of buildings. Drones are now acting as surveillance tools at construction sites, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, as well as worker safety.
Drones have another function of collecting real-time data at construction sites and conveying them to construction managers. This way, project managers know what is happening across the site at any given point. They can also use the collected data to frame more realistic timelines and make data-backed predictions and decisions.
2. Construction Management Software
A large number of industries are taking advantage of project management software to keep things organized and on track. The construction industry is no exception. Using advanced software, for example, like the construction document management software offered by Project Sight, construction project managers are now able to perform a wide variety of tasks, ranging from sharing drawings and blueprints to managing the whole site and safety regulations.
Construction management software helps increase the overall efficiency, accountability, and transparency of construction businesses. It also keeps project managers and senior engineers in the loop to ensure smooth project management.
As these construction management tools are becoming more advanced, they will continue to be a rising construction management trend in the industry in the coming years.
3. Greater Focus on Data Analytics
The world is going digital at a fast pace and data is the backbone of today’s digital world. It is also a critical factor for business success. Businesses are continuously improving and expanding their data resources to make more informed decisions about operations as well as the organizational strategy.
Therefore, construction management software now features enhanced data analytics features, which allow construction managers to determine the optimal allocation of labor and resources in a more accurate way so that project productivity is increased. Analytics will continue to affect other kinds of construction data, such as a comparison of budgeted and actual expenses, planned and actual accomplishments, planned completion timelines and actual completion dates, and more.
This will also play an important role in identifying critical steps and processes, as well as problem areas so that future projects can be managed more efficiently.
4. Virtual/Augmented Reality (VR/AR)
These technologies have been around for some years now but the construction industry has started exploring them only recently. VR/AR allows engineers and managers to experience complex logistics and imagery to get a more realistic view of the project before it is materialized.
As building structures become more and more complicated, these technologies are proving to be helpful for architects, engineers and project managers to detect errors, improve designs, and deliver projects timely and within budget. They can also help clients make decisions more easily. Any changes can be discussed more precisely and misunderstandings are avoided.
Interactive designs and gesture interfacing are making it easier for construction teams to carry out projects. The coming few years are going to see this technology’s effect on the industry expand even further.
5. Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Building Information Modeling or BIM is the process of digitally creating and managing information throughout the life cycle of a construction project. This 3D model-based technology details the development and designs across construction phases and allows for collaborative information sharing through a single platform, which is constantly updated through all the key stages of the project.
Engineers, architects, and construction managers are increasingly adopting this technology. It gives them access to up-to-date data and drawings. It also gives them accurate estimates for the number and amount of materials that will go into the making of a structure so that there are no shortages or overspending.
The integration with other technologies, such as VR/AR, will make BIM even more important as computer-generated images will help construction contractors to build and manage a structure and its infrastructure.
6. The Use of CRM and ERP Tools
Since the construction industry is exploring digital tools for itself, construction professionals are also showing interest in incorporating Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools into their work.
These tools make construction work faster, better managed and more economical. It also allows construction companies to deliver exceptional service and experience to their clients.
While the CRM tools improve customer interactions, ERP systems are designed to manage and control business processes across all departments. When they work together, construction companies can increase their sales, revenue, and perform a better job at satisfying and retaining clients.
7. Rising Costs and Shortage of Labor
Increasing material costs will continue to be a challenge in 2020. Similarly, construction companies will face difficulty in filling in hourly skilled worker positions. One of the reasons for the shortage of labor includes the fact that companies are still relying on conventional construction models and processes that not only overload the workers and make them feel bored, but also pose a greater safety risk to them.
An increase in materials and decrease and labor availability mean that overall construction costs will continue to increase in 2020 as well. Companies will have to turn to the latest technologies that can help curb both these issues.
Summary Of 2020 Construction Management Trends
As you can see, digitalization and software technology is expected to take over the construction industry. Even a small-scale construction firm can benefit from improved construction processes and project management through the use of these technologies.
About the author:
Dan Conery serves as the Director of Product Marketing for Trimble Projectsight, which provides construction project management software for small business. Throughout his 24+ year career, Dan has leveraged a unique blend of backgrounds from the architect, engineering & construction industry, project & program management, and software industry to position tech companies for growth.