Page 37 - newDATAmagazine | 02>06>2021
P. 37
newDATA
MAGAZINE
Digital transformation in the AEC industry
Digitalization of the CONSTRUCTION industry
Have you been converted by the Digital
Transformation yet?
Yes, then great! No, then this is probably
the time.
From looking at the evolution of processes,
skill sets and technology in our society for the
last decade it's clear that “Digital
Transformation” is now much more than the
buzz phrase. The digitization is all around us - to work together in order to bring a project to
having established itself as a trend, and its completion, while at any one time being
speed is now accelerating, bringing real life subjected to the external influence of others
effects to the way we approach our daily such as project owners and suppliers.
problems, to the way we make decisions, and Unsurprisingly, given the number of involved
to the tools we have available to reach needed stakeholders, communication and data
solutions in various fields. sharing is absolutely of the essence, and here
Furthermore, it brings the advantage of the historical processes have often proven not
doing all that in a more structured and efficient fit enough in light of what might be the
way than ever before, while also opening new expectation. Down the line the consequence is
horizons and possibilities as it unlocks new a higher than desired level of inefficiency, with
potential for industries. This increase in projects often plagued by delays and
efficiency, promoted by connected and data- miscommunication in some cases seen
rich solutions, will likely make the trend stick alongside, or leading to, overspending - studies
and encourage society and businesses more suggest very shadowy numbers, particularly
and more into a mind-set of continuous for the construction industry, of projects
adaptation in order to stay competitive. typically taking 20% longer to finish while also
According to some of the latest reports, the being 80% over budget. [McKinsey & Company
cumulative value of the global Architecture, - Imagining construction's digital future].
Engineering & Construction (AEC) industry is On top of that, there is a feeling that in part a
estimated above US$ 10 trillion [Construction highly-productive half of the industry is being
Intelligence Center (CIC) ], and it is still seen in held back by a low-productive half, particularly
2021 as one of the fastest growing industries in cases where businesses pass on some of
in many regions, notwithstanding the impact their work to smaller subcontractors.
of the pandemic. As encouraging as that may Whatever the real numbers might be, the
sound, this is an industry with a fine line fact is that problems in communication will be
separating prosperity from hardship and its found in most projects - notice that changes at
present and future success is heavily any stage are usually required to cascade
dependent on the ability of its three main key down to most, if not all disciplines involved for
players - Architects, Engineers and Contractors validation and input.
newDATAmagazine.com 37
