new technologies such as remote cameras or drones to keep
an eye on the jobsite 24/7 can quickly bring efficiencies and
improve collaboration among project teams.
The construction industry is project-oriented with high
risks and profit margins hovering around five per cent.2 Over
the years, firms traditionally have been very risk averse and
introducing new technologies that potentially give a company
a leap forward does not come naturally. As the vendor,
after the cordial, “How are you?” the next question is: “Who
are your references?”
Technology can make a big difference
The need for information management for a piling project
is no less than for other construction jobs. Piling lays the
foundation for any structure being erected. Mistakes during
engineering or unforeseen ground conditions can have
long-lasting consequences. It is no surprise that during the
engineering and construction phase of a project there are
stringent documentation requirements. Documents such
as site investigation studies, foundation drawings, pile layouts,
structural engineering specifications, load calculations,
installation logs, integrity tests, load tests, insurance certificates
and much more are developed and collected during
the project.
These documents are seldom created in a vacuum.
Creation, submission, review, signoff and client review are
all standard work processes that still are often a challenge.
When companies have existing systems, there is a good
chance those systems are outdated and not fully equipped
to handle the COVID-19 environment. For the brave project
managers that decide to circumvent the corporate structure
for the sake of the project and use an online software as a
service solution, challenges will arise with handover, project
closure and proper governance of company records and
management of claims.
Current corporate IT departments are often not setup to
help protect organizations. If there is no representation from
the business for IT, there is a good chance that the project is
finished by the time corporate IT has signed off on the use of
a tool.
The one left hanging is the client. In a 2015 study, 75 per
cent of respondents explained that up to 30 per cent of cost
overruns are caused by project document difficulties and
issues. Accessing the latest information and/or inaccurate
project paperwork were among the most common issues.4
When factoring in the legal ramifications, the risks for both
the client and contractor are even bigger.
Technology has come a long way and document management
is only one example that can help the construction
industry. Trends such as digital twins, augmented reality/
virtual reality/mixed reality, digital transformation projects
and business intelligence are all topics that companies are
betting on. Only when technology, processes and people are
aligned will the benefits be visible. Despite the ease of use
of new technology, it is not enough to deploy and not fully
understand the consequences of inappropriate use. With
current technology, it is far too easy to create quickly a copy
of a large, complex building information model (BIM) – suddenly
there are hundreds of new construction sheets. All of
this leads to the same, automated confusion.
Not just about technology
It is not enough to apply technology towards a 20-year-old
process. That old process was designed by smart and retired
engineers based on paper processes. If simply digitized,
any process flaws are enhanced and unchecked. These
new technologies generate large amounts of data and then
become an even greater liability for the project. With new
technologies, new processes need to be adopted. Standards
such as BS1192/ISO196505 describe how best to use BIM
information and communication structures in a complex
project. People processes and technology need to be considered
holistically.
Digital transformation cannot happen without a shift in
culture and attitude towards digital. Experts largely agree
that a shortage in skills is inevitable.2, 6 Increasingly more
sophisticated tools like generative design will be readily
available across all areas of the construction industry. The
younger workforce will look for opportunities to use new
technology and apply these advancements on their projects.
BUSINESS
IPOPBA/123RF
A company cannot
remain stuck in old
habits and wonder
why the fresh
graduates are choosing
the competition.
64 Q3 2020 www.pilingcanada.ca
/profile_ipopba
/www.pilingcanada.ca
