How Big Data is Transforming the Construction Industry

The Value of Data

Traditional information systems are good enough to record and keep basic info about particular project schedules, costs, CAD designs, employee details, and invoices. However, they can be limited in their capacity to work with unstructured data such as printed information, free text, or analog sensor readings. Often, a traditional information system can only handle orderly digital columns and rows of numbers.

The idea of harnessing Big Data is to acquire more and more insights and make excellent project management decisions for construction by getting more data and properly analyzing it to draw real-time building project conclusions.

Here are some insights on how Big Data profoundly affects construction businesses.

• Extracting of useful information coming from vast amounts of data. Construction companies can collect and analyze further a massive amount of information with Big Data. Reasons for delays, cost-information, overruns, and other successful projects’ characteristics are some essential details that need to be reviewed. All data can then be processed and analyzed to derive essential insights, conditions, and trends that commonly affect the company’s performance and work. Areas that become a potential issue can be determined right away, and exceptional performance areas can also be recognized.

For instance, big data analytics can expose certain issues while negotiating costs with suppliers or bidding on projects. With these issues being identified, finding solutions to resolve them is easy.

• Predicting risk. In the construction context, big data contains detailed info on possible problems and risks that can occur during the project. For instance, the road construction project’s potential effects on the ecosystems can further be analyzed using big data techniques. The systems can help in determining risks for bonding and insurance purposes. 
• Finding issues in advance. With big data analytics, vital info can be extracted before any job begins so that any troubles can be removed in advance—for instance, conflicts in design and implementation. Physical issues on the job site and impractical procedures can all be determined and fixed before physical work starts. It helps stops costs, scheduling overruns and expensive job site reworks.

Big Data Impacts the Four Phases of Construction

We look now at some ways how Big data is contributing to innovation in the construction sector through the following various phases below.

1. Design Phase

Big data is already transforming the construction business earlier, starting from the design phase. There are tons of helpful information that, when acquired and appropriately applied, can simplify the design process, including the following:

• Social media/email discussions
• Environmental info
• Stakeholder input
• Historical data

2. Construction Phase

Earlier, we discussed the main point that environmental data plays a significant role in the design phase. However, it also plays a significant role in the construction phase. Not only that, but the info derived from business and community activity like traffic conditions can tell developers the exact optimal time to start construction activities, including which precise stages.

This is where sensors strictly come into play. One primary example is sensor-data coming from instrumented machinery. These devices being attached to any on-site operational equipment can generate tons of information about the ways builders used their time. Today, there are real-world examples of builders who are using not only sensors but also telematics. Telematics is telecommunications integrated with information and communication tech. 

Many onsite development companies have started using telematics data and extracting info from GPS devices to track and monitor data points on the machines like idle time, cycle time, productivity, and more. 

3. Operational Phase

Nowadays, data-gathering sensors have a significant role to play during the operational phase. Data gleaned from the sensors installed in bridges, buildings, etc. allows for better facility management. The installed sensors can track information derived from the building’s inner workings in question, be it for energy use, foot traffic, or internal temperatures.

Further harnessing the data is possible. Doing so will efficiently manage energy usage in facilities like buildings, office parks and even shopping malls. These sensors can record traffic stress information and flex in bridges. 

Ways on How Contractors Can Leverage the Power of Big Data

Here’s what construction leaders need to know in order to manage big data even better.

1. Prioritize Digital Technology

Big data enables engineering and construction companies to collect and analyze any cost-related information, photographs, site-based transactions, planning changes, communications, and more. The construction industry is awash with data; exactly tons of information are continuously generated for each project. And without digital tech implementation, it is nearly impossible to determine key data items. These essential data items enable a smooth reaction to possible issues and can be applied to obtain positive outcomes for future projects.

Today’s construction firms are starting to deploy a scheduling project software like Pro Crew Schedule that helps them sort out project data, files and other information. In addition to data sharing and control, this software tool has various features designed for project management purposes. All stakeholders, including subcontractors, architects, engineers, clients, specialty tradesmen, and suppliers, can be on the same page using this tech, allowing them to be informed with real-time data.

Pro Crew Schedule is a subcontractor scheduling software that has the power to redefine your construction business by providing many game-changing advantages. If you haven’t tried exploring this software tech, you can request a FREE live demo.