While the construction industry is no stranger to challenges, in recent years, one of its biggest challenges has been transitioning from manual to digital data collection.
Real-time data in construction can swiftly help construction managers identify issues or bottlenecks in the operations, track equipment, and assign resources.
In this blog, we share everything you need to know about real-time data and its role in construction. If you are interested, keep reading.
The construction industry is transforming, and real-time data analytics is its most significant transformation.
Here is a quick look at how real-time data can help construction companies perform more efficiently.
Here are a few ways to quickly implement real-time data solutions in your organization and construction projects.
The Internet of Things (IoT) and telematics help project managers get real-time data from construction equipment. Sensors embedded in machinery collect data on engine performance, operating conditions, and more, which is then transmitted to a central database for analysis.
As a company, the proper equipment maintenance and upkeep of these sensors should be your priority. To ensure that none malfunction or break down, leading to project delays.
Implementing a real-time data solution requires more than just real-time information and data tools. It also requires an organizational culture that encourages employees to be data-driven and proactive.
Construction companies must train and promote data literacy and equipment management to ensure that employees can benefit from the new system rather than resisting the change that is to come.
Implementing real-time data solutions requires an infrastructure, which can be a high cost for the construction company.
This is why when it is placed in a company, it should be used to its full potential. Construction companies must equip themselves with the right tools to take advantage of real-time data solutions, ranging from data collection systems to powerful analytics.
In construction project management, the choice between real-time and delayed data reporting can significantly affect outcomes. Real-time data makes decision-making swift and effortless as it can provide immediate data on all the company's equipment and resources.
Delayed data reporting relies on previous information presented, which may not represent the current issues and can lead to reactive decision-making. With the basic understanding, let's compare the impact of real-time and delayed data reporting on project management.
While there are many benefits to using real-time data in construction, some risks and challenges can still cause issues while implementing real-time data.
Let's have a look at a few of them.
As companies start to collect and analyze vast amounts of data for their working and Construction equipment automation, data security is essential to protect the data and your privacy.
Data security and privacy become increasingly important as you gather more sensitive data. Protecting the data through encryptions or access controls or employing additional personnel to monitor security requires you to invest in getting results.
Construction firms must protect their sensitive information using security measures, such as cybersecurity, encryption, role-based access, and compliance with data protection regulations.
Introducing new real-time project data or features in any project has its biggest challenges: implementation and acceptance.
Employees may not be open to adopting new software in their current work, making learning something new more burdensome. They may also resist change as they have gotten comfortable with the ideas they are used to.
Organizations have to work hard to discourage these problems. They can do so by providing direct personnel with proper training about the systems and incorporating a culture of learning and development within the organization.
Construction projects gather data much more quickly than others. The data can become overwhelming, from asset tracking to fleet management and equipment maintenance.
To combat this, you must start by filtering through vast datasets to extract actionable insights, which requires analytics capabilities and data visualization tools.
Not all data is essential, so the project must first identify which data is necessary and which is not and start by working on data based on priority.
Integrating real-time data in the construction industry can help change the landscape. Using the data insights gathered through real-time data systems, project managers can line up their operations, reduce downtime, and maximize productivity throughout the project.
Real-time data systems will help construction companies enhance their project timelines and contribute towards cost savings and overall project success.
Real-time data can increase construction efficiency by providing construction managers and supervisors with business metrics and analysis. With real-time data, these managers can take a proactive approach to asset tracking, equipment maintenance, and fleet management.
Some important technologies that use real-time data for construction include the Internet of Things (IoT), Building Information Modelling (BMI), Data Analytics, GPS Tracking, and Augmented Reality.
Real-time data helps construction managers monitor and track their assets in real-time, allowing them to identify potential risks and bottlenecks. Through GPS tracking, managers can also check if all the equipment is in place or has been compromised.