By Mr. Harsh Pareek
In today’s dynamic work environment, flexibility has become a cornerstone for many companies. With the rise of hybrid working models, the need for robust digital connectivity and collaboration has never been greater. By connecting teams, data, and workflows, the construction sector is poised to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and project outcomes in this new era of hybrid work.
The Shift to Hybrid Working
Hybrid working, driven largely by employee preferences, has become standard practice, particularly in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. With over 80% of firms now adopting this model according to the Chartered Institute of Management, the construction industry, known for its slow adoption of digitalization, has seen a significant push towards digital transformation. McKinsey reports that 50% of companies have increased their investment in digital technology to meet new demands.
The Role of Digital Connectivity
Digital connectivity is essential for the efficient, accurate, and productive delivery of projects, regardless of team locations. This connectivity extends beyond just linking people; it also involves connecting data and workflows.
Connecting People
Effective communication and coordination among team members and project stakeholders are critical for successful project delivery. Digital technologies, such as video conferencing and cloud-based software, have become vital tools. These platforms provide centralized hubs for project data, allowing teams to review, share, and edit models, drawings, and schedules seamlessly.
A case in point is the construction of the Luton DART. Hewson Consulting Engineers switched from Dropbox to Tekla Model Sharing to streamline their modeling process. Richard Scantlebury, Director of Major Projects, highlighted how this change allowed multiple people from different companies to work on the same model simultaneously, enhancing collaboration and efficiency.
Similarly, O’Reilly Concrete, Ireland’s leading provider of precast solutions, has benefited from using Tekla Model Sharing and Trimble Connect. These tools have enabled their team to work cohesively from different locations, ensuring efficient project designs and solutions.
Collaboration and Offsite Construction
Digital technology has significantly improved collaboration in offsite construction, where coordination among project partners is crucial. Sigmat, operating within the light metal framing sector, uses Trimble Connect to share files and models, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned. Nick Milestone, Operations Director, emphasized the importance of close coordination with M&E contractors to ensure seamless integration of pre-panelized frames.
Connecting Data
Connecting data and workflows is as important as connecting people. For construction projects with numerous partners and components, it is crucial to view the structure as a whole, ensuring all elements are synchronized. Enhanced visibility enabled by Building Information Modeling (BIM) helps achieve this.
Multi-material software like Tekla Structural Designer allows both steel and concrete structures to be considered together in one model. James Gendall, Divisional Director at Clancy Consulting, explained that designing and analyzing materials together ensures the correct stiffness relationship, crucial for the project’s success and long-term performance.
Parametric modeling takes connected workflows further by fully integrating and connecting data. 3D modeling software with continuous data transfer links ensures a streamlined process from the central model to fabrication drawings and quantity take-offs. Stephen Nugent, Company Director at Nugent Manufacturing, highlighted that this digital workflow reduces manual work and minimizes human error, promoting accuracy and efficiency.
The necessity for staying connected, emphasized during the pandemic, remains crucial as the construction industry looks to the future. Digital technology is set to drive effective collaboration, coordination, and communication, essential for the industry’s continued growth and adaptation to new working models. Embracing digital connectivity not only enhances efficiency but also ensures successful project outcomes, positioning the construction sector to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
(The author is Mr. Harsh Pareek, Regional Sales Director, India and SAARC, Trimble Solutions, and the views expressed in this article are his owm)
