The world is quickly advancing with new technologies, yet the construction industry lags behind in many areas.

This industry needs to embrace new technology such as AI and adapt to digitalisation of processes and management to keep up with the complexities of modern construction. Reluctance to change is understandable, especially by those who have been in the industry for decades and have stuck with traditional paper-based management methods.

This shift requires upskilling and learning new systems which can be challenging. But learning these new systems and looking forward to how AI can be used is crucial in maintaining relevance in the industry and ensuring longevity.

Streamlining

The construction industry is becoming increasingly complex with additional building requirements and more demanding deadlines, and this makes efforts towards streamlining processes more important than ever.

Traditional construction management methods have been used for decades but are inefficient, prone to errors and increasingly irrelevant to modern projects. Adopting modern systems saves time and ultimately saves costs with improvement of project scheduling, resource management, and real-time collaboration allowing for operations to run smoothly.

Implementing AI in management systems allows for the automation of tedious tasks, freeing up resources that can be allocated elsewhere.

Documentation

Modern project management software benefits greatly from enhanced documentation, filing, and tracking construction. This digital paper trail is much more reliable than traditional paper. Modern management software facilitates better data management, control and transparency for all stakeholders, addressing the shortcomings of traditional methods that can often result in haphazard document storage and loss of files.

With a cloud-based management system, information on a project can be securely accessed regardless of location, which significantly improves oversight. Control is given to stakeholders who can access information at any time. This approach to project management is a form of process validation, where project evidence can be reviewed in real-time and all construction activities accounted for.

Digital management ensures accountability throughout the project and fosters trust due to transparency and clear documentation.

Reducing Risk

Minimising risk is a major advantage of integrating modern technologies into construction management. In the current construction landscape, project risks are causing significant delays, cost blowouts and contractual disputes.

We can help mitigate these risks with process validation from digital management. Construction projects can be very closely monitored digitally to identify issues, allowing for better planning to keep the build tracking along to schedule. Risk mitigation is a critical aspect of project management and a digital paper trail with daily monitoring and reporting is the best way to increase successful outcomes and minimise disputes.

If you are engaging a team for construction, enquire about how they utilise modern technology and AI in their project management. Understand the scope of the project management services and how this information will be shared with you.

If you are tackling this yourself, take the time to learn these new technologies to stay ahead of the curve and get that competitive advantage. Technology will only continue to evolve, and we need to embrace this change or fall behind. Innovation through digitalisation of the construction landscape in New Zealand will lead to higher quality builds, quicker construction, less disruption and is key to business growth.

Anthony Corin and his team specialise in property development and construction using ICFs and operating through a relational contract, open-book system. Shorcom Ltd, 0800 SHORCOM, www.shorcom.co.nz