Productivity in the UK construction sector has barely improved over the past 20 years. In fact, construction is the second least digitalised sector in the global economy, just ahead of agriculture.
However, recent advances in digital technology are expected to transform the effectiveness and efficiency of construction. The biggest challenge is where to start introducing digital tools for faster construction management.
The McKinsey Global Institute’s report, Improving Construction Productivity, highlighted seven ways in which productivity could be improved. If combined together, all seven could bring about a boost of up to 60 percent.
Construction can improve productivity by taking action in seven areas (McKinsey)
The MacLeamy value curve
The MacLeamy Curve – crafted by Patrick MacLeamy, former Chairman and CEO of HOK -illustrates the principle that making changes earlier in the design process is cheaper and more impactful. Therefore, digital tools that allow decisions to be made earlier and more easily in the project lifecycle are likely to be among the most beneficial.
We recommend you consider taking the following three steps:
Reshape the design process to transform at scale
Digitally-enabled project management requires accurate and appropriate information curated in consistent and meaningful ways. This needs to be done right throughout the project lifecycle, starting at the definition stage. The common data environment and the information taxonomies should be set at the outset. With the information management and modelling strategy set at the outset, successive stages of the project is built on firm foundations. In other words, the digital thread has been created.
Infuse digital twin early to optimise interaction
Digital twins creates an online virtual replica of the project, with smart datasets available to all involved via a cloud-based environment. When the datasets are readily available, they support continuous collaboration among stakeholders. But the problem with many such systems is that they take in and process too much information. This means that the visualisation is clunky and slow. If the user experience is not smooth and pleasing, people simply will not use the system and the benefits are lost.
A multi-fidelity approach to curating 3D digital objects
To counter these challenges, we have developed a cloud-based platform which allows multiple types of visual and numerical data to be stored in a secure environment. By adopting a multi-fidelity approach, when large amounts of data need to be processed and manipulated, the model and visualisation engine can respond by showing what the user needs to see. And when a less detailed data set will work better – for example, for a specific simulation or modelling purpose – the system can cope with this too. Our system works particularly well for very large data models displayed on a project-as-a-whole basis. Some software packages can take many minutes for this to load. We have ensured, the rendering works quickly and smoothly by selecting only the data points that need to be displayed. Think Google Earth for the built environment!
As a result, using the latest reality capture techniques, including photogrammetry and point clouds, we can create a realistic, accurately scaled virtual environment. Building Information Modelling (BIM) simulations can be combined with photogrammetry, so that users can visualise and examine both the existing and proposed assets. Information from Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and from in-person site inspections can integrate into a single visual database. The way the photogrammetry is layered provides users with as much of a 360 experience as their (flat) screen will allow.
We are using our digital system with clients in the water and energy sectors. It is helping them ‘get left’ in the project lifecycle, to make better decisions earlier and reduce the inefficiency caused by unnecessary change. We see this as a small but important step in responding to McKinsey’s productivity challenge.
Meet our author
Craig Stockton solves client challenges by understanding the role of digital transformation in all areas of their business. With honed strengths in plant layout, frontend design, value engineering and buildability, Craig uses his expertise to implement technology accelerators including BIM, photogrammetry and laser scanning to advance digital automation for progressive industries.
