The construction industry is actively embracing digital transformation to enhance efficiency, safety, and project management. This shift involves adopting technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) for project management and the Internet of Things (IoT) for site monitoring. A recent report highlights a notable increase in digital technology investments in the construction sector.
This surge is revolutionizing project management and delivery, contributing to the industry’s shift towards more advanced digital solutions. Digital transformation in construction refers to integrating digital technologies into all areas of the construction process. This transformation increases efficiency, improves accuracy, and enhances communication, fundamentally changing how projects are delivered.
According to a recent “State of Digital Adoption in the Construction Industry 2024” report, nearly 1,000 businesses surveyed show a robust adoption curve, with 68% already using or planning to implement AI technologies. Businesses that have invested in new technologies have seen an average increase of 1.4% in revenue growth and 1% in profit growth. Digital transformation brings several significant benefits to the construction sector.
These include enhanced efficiency, improved accuracy, increased safety, better collaboration, and sustainability. The digital transformation in construction is a strategic necessity. Integrating advanced technologies is redefining how projects are managed, improving current processes, and opening up new avenues for growth and innovation.
Adopting digital tools in construction
Companies embracing these changes are positioning themselves at the forefront of a rapidly evolving industry. The construction industry is embracing IoT-enabled intelligence tools to help confront challenges on job sites.
IoT technologies can help mitigate safety risks by providing managers with real-time insights into job site status. IoT-enabled cameras give safety managers always-on visibility into what’s happening across the site. Wearable devices such as smart watches help monitor worker health, sending alerts if workers start to overexert themselves or if external conditions become too dangerous.
These IoT solutions can make construction companies more attractive to prospective employees by improving site safety. IoT technologies have advanced construction jobsite cameras into site intelligence tools, now equipped with talk-down capabilities to help deter unauthorized visitors. Fixing IoT-enabled sensors to construction equipment enables managers to monitor the location and status of tools via the job site intelligence platform.
IoT can help address challenges such as worker shortages and rising material costs while enabling construction companies to deliver efficient projects. IoT-enabled cameras help construction managers keep track of multiple job sites in real time, allowing them to identify what’s working and manage sites with a complete 360-degree view. Between 2017 and 2022, the market for architecture, engineering, and construction technology grew substantially.
IoT solutions will play a key role in helping construction companies optimize productivity and deliver more efficient project outcomes.