Productivity has always been a challenge in construction. Though many factors contribute, there is general agreement that technology is underutilized in the industry, with a few key exceptions.
The widespread adoption of BIM was one such leap forward, facilitating modeling, documentation, and collaboration at a higher standard than ever. But even after decades in use and ever-increasing sophistication, BIMs have proven an incomplete solution to the lack of productivity growth in the industry. The reason? They cannot capture data on manual processes—the majority of the work performed on the construction site.
Though excellent for modeling and data presentation, BIMs do not record dynamism in the construction process, and they have no capacity to learn from that data. Real-time process data collection, and the opportunity it presents for testing and optimization during a project, is the next leap forward for construction productivity.
With timely data in hand, Technical Directors and VDC Managers can address issues in real time, testing creative solutions over the course of a project and learning from the patterns presented in the data.
Catch up on Data Collection
The unfettered growth of technology companies is built on a foundation of digital data collection, which supports analysis, testing, and optimization. This is where construction companies lag. Even in the post-BIM construction industry, data is often confined to paper reports or static e-documents. Even if these are read by AI or machine learning ML, the value they offer is limited.
IoT sensors and mobile devices present an opportunity to gather reams of actionable data from work sites. With timely data in hand, Technical Directors and VDC Managers can address issues in real time, testing creative solutions over the course of a project and learning from the patterns presented in the data.
Bridge the Process Gap
McKinsey suggests that "on-site productivity can be increased by as much as 50 percent by implementing a cloud-based control tower that rapidly assembles accurate data in near real time that is both backward-looking and predictive." To take advantage of this potential, data gathering at the construction site must be mobile, flexible, and easy to adopt.
BuiltSpace is a seamless solution for process data collection and analysis, providing real-time, as-built documentation from customizable points of service. Using mobile devices, workers across the site can capture and record data from QR codes, barcodes, and IoT sensors, which is sent to the cloud as the work happens and is immediately available for review by stakeholders, partners, and clients.
Turn any Person, Place, or Thing into a Sensor
Mobile scanning is a simple solution to a complex problem: how to capture timely, accurate information in a rapidly changing environment. Technical Directors and VDC Managers can collect a wide range of data at a low cost with simple installation, opening up creative possibilities for measurement, testing, and optimization. It can also add depth to existing datasets: geospatial data from a point cloud may show the dimensions of a boiler, but BuiltSpace can add thermal performance data and engineering specifications.
The possibilities are endless. For example, sensors that measure concrete curing can promote faster pouring. BuiltSpace’s Service Twin® app can capture not only that curing data, but concrete delivery times, as-built mix specification, pour times, and more—a wealth of data to help fine-tune the construction cadence and ensure that the work is done correctly the first time. Data-driven work sequencing, delivered directly to the trade’s mobile app, streamlines work packages, reporting near real-time field installation, logistics, commissioning, and verification.
The Integrated Service Twin® also provides a valuable operational asset for building owners, a differentiator for companies seeking to stand out in the proposal process.
Leverage the Service Twin®
BuiltSpace creates a cloud-based, 4D "Service Twin®" that displays accurate in-building data across the whole building lifecycle. This is a highly relevant learning tool: a body of project service and automation data that directly supports cost accountability and change management.
The Service Twin® also provides a valuable operational asset for building owners, a differentiator for companies seeking to stand out in the proposal process. Owners can continue using the Service Twin® to inform operations, maintenance and repairs, future renovations, and more.
BuiltSpace tracks over 1.8 million services in 25,000 buildings worldwide. If you’re interested in learning more about BuiltSpace, visit us online.
BuiltSpace understands that digital twin technology needs to work across the entire AEC industry to be effective and we are commited to developing a simple, elegent solution that addresses the needs of each member of the community. Please feel free to download or forward any of our custom guides.
