How Data Can Help in Construction

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Posted: September 20, 2022
CEO Today
Last Updated 21st October 2024
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Construction projects are inherently complex undertakings, spanning multiple departments, involving multiple stakeholders, and involving significant investments and funds.

Data can be collected and used in multiple ways throughout a construction project. In the construction context, data is typically collected in construction-related activities, such as during a building’s design, site reconnaissance, construction, or maintenance. For companies involved in construction, data can be easily collected and analyzed and can be useful.

How Is Big Data Used in Construction?

Construction is a huge industry, and massive changes are happening. One of the most impactful is big data in construction. Construction companies are leveraging new technologies, such as drones, 3D laser scanning, and virtual reality to increase productivity and deliver projects with fewer errors and with higher-quality results. And when unqualified workers are more easily finding jobs than ever, big data is being leveraged to weed out poor candidates and curate the hiring process for only the best.

Planning and Budgeting

Construction projects can be complicated, especially when it involves managing costs, scheduling, and meeting deadlines. The use of data analytics in the construction process can help to reduce risks, improve project performance, and increase efficiency. Using this data, we can conduct a cost analysis, schedule development, and schedule analysis.

Design

Data can and should be used daily throughout the design and construction process. Each discipline has its own methods and tools to collect, analyze, and work with data, but engineers can analyze data for their design decisions. Engineers can use data to identify where a design idea leverages an existing feature of the project or where a design helps solve a problem. Engineers can use data to identify where a problem exists or where a solution is needed.

Construction

Construction using data: What does that mean to the average construction worker? It means collecting, reporting on, and utilizing data to make better business decisions. Having the right data types at the right time can save time and money while improving efficiency.

Construction using data is a highly valuable skill that the construction and building industry must embrace, particularly as building designers, contractors, and manufacturers leverage emerging technologies and big data. Data science is an applied science that draws on computer science, mathematics, statistics, and other analytical tools to extract relevant information from data.

Operations and Maintenance

Operations and maintenance are the management of hardware, software, and services in a practical sense. It is typically focused on a facility’s core process to ensure efficient operation and a safe workplace, utility strike operations, and maintenance are extremely difficult. It requires large volumes of real-time data, situational awareness, rapid decision-making, and tactical execution in a dynamic environment. The field encompasses disciplines such as management science, engineering, and manufacturing operations. The main purpose is to ensure the availability of maintenance technicians and plants and the continuous availability of computer systems.

Construction Data Analytics: Stats and Trends

Construction Data Analytics (CDA) is a visual analytics platform that provides all-in-one project management, design, and construction solutions. Users can access CDA from any connected device through a web browser and download a desktop application for PC and Mac. Construction Data Analytics offers multiple solutions, including Project Analytics, which allows users to create construction timelines.

According to IBM, 80% of the value of data has been created in the last 12 months. This means the amount of data is growing even faster than the amount of data being used. This poses some huge challenges for organizations, especially small ones. In order to keep up with this rapid increase in data volume, organizations must develop strategies to not only store data efficiently but use it more effectively and efficiently. In addition, they must meet increasing user demands for data, such as faster response times, better-quality information, and the ability to access and use data on mobile devices.

5 Advantages of Big Data Analytics in Construction

  1. Increases Building Efficiency

Big data analytics have become popular in fields like engineering and economics but have been slow to enter the construction market. Construction is a field that struggles with inefficiency, and big data could offer some solutions for that. Big data is the analysis of large data sets with the goal of finding insights that are valuable for decision-making. Big data analytics for construction can potentially improve the way buildings are designed, built, and monitored.

In the construction industry, big data and analytics can help design more efficient buildings, bring greater value to projects, and streamline project execution. Big data and analytics is becoming more and more prevalent in the construction field. By leveraging big data, construction companies can better understand and predict the overall physical performance of a building, and this allows them to optimize operations.

  1. Reduces Environmental Impact

Construction companies use big data to make smarter and more efficient decisions. This can mean anything from ensuring proper payments to staying under budget. And when construction companies use more modern technology, such as big data, the impact on the environment is minimized.

In the construction industry, big data is being used to reduce environmental impact, save money, and improve construction.

Construction firms can use data analytics to optimize the construction process by reducing waste, reducing energy use, and improving site safety, among other benefits.

  1. Promotes Collaboration

Construction is no easy endeavor. With strict regulations and deadlines, the need for collaboration is paramount. Big Data and Analytics can help make collaboration simpler. By analyzing big data, construction projects can better meet deadlines, improve safety, reduce rework, and improve quality and safety.

  1. Improves Working Conditions

Construction sites are notoriously dangerous for both workers and bystanders, as accidents are common. Incidents involving heavy equipment, falling materials, and possible structural collapse can all be perilous, but new technologies make it easier to construct logically. Construction sites are already using cameras and sensors to identify dangerous conditions, and devices are now emerging that measure variables like temperature, sound, and humidity. By tapping into the power of Big Data, construction companies can reduce risk and improve working conditions significantly.

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