In this article, we’ll explore five key steps that contractors can take to streamline construction processes. We’ll also highlight Building Solutions’ cutting-edge capabilities while providing real-world examples specific to project types.
1. Embrace Building Information Modeling (BIM) Technology
Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology revolutionizes construction processes by creating a virtual representation of a project. General contractors can leverage Building Solutions’ BIM-based solutions to enhance collaboration, improve communication, and achieve better project visualization. Building Solutions automates progress tracking by comparing as-built conditions against the BIM model, enabling contractors to identify discrepancies and minimize rework in real time.
In the real-world example of a large-scale data center, Building Solutions’ BIM-based capability played a vital role in streamlining the construction process, ensuring adherence to design specifications, and minimizing delays. The construction team was able to improve project efficiencies significantly due to the following tech insights.
- Accurate progress tracking: The Progress Reporting workflow included automated progress tracking, enabling the project team to monitor construction activities in real time. By comparing as-built conditions captured through laser scanning or 360 photos to the BIM model, this workflow provided an accurate assessment of construction progress. This allowed the project team to identify any discrepancies or deviations from schedule early on, ensuring timely corrective actions to keep on schedule.
- Early issue detection: The project team could detect clashes, conflicts, or coordination issues between different building systems or elements within the data center construction. By identifying these issues promptly, the team could take proactive measures to resolve them before drywall and carpentry work began, thereby minimizing rework and delays.
- Design compliance: The As-built Verification capability ensured that the construction process aligned with the design specifications and coordinated model. The project team could verify that construction was progressing as intended by continuously comparing the as-built conditions to the coordinated BIM model. Strict design compliance helped to improve the client relationship as well, ensuring a satisfied customer.
Jared Stoffan, the senior virtual design and construction manager on the project, remarked, “We’re constantly validating all of the time, money, and effort that we put into our work, and these insights are the bow on the whole BIM process.”
The successful implementation of Building Solutions’ capabilities showcased the transformative power of BIM technology in complex commercial construction projects.
2. Implement Automated Construction Monitoring
Manual construction monitoring is prone to errors and delays. By implementing Building Solutions’ automated construction monitoring solutions, contractors can gain real-time insights into project progress. Building Solutions utilizes laser scanning technology, 360 photos and video, computer vision, and machine learning algorithms to capture and analyze construction data accurately. This provides contractors with actionable information to make data-driven decisions.
In the real-world example of a high-rise project, Building Solutions’ automated monitoring played a crucial role in capturing precise as-built conditions and facilitating early detection of deviations from the BIM model. Below are some additional details about how Building Solutions helped AECOM develop its New York Manhattan West project.
- Accurate as-built data: The Progress Reporting workflow utilized advanced technologies such as laser scanning and their reality analysis AI algorithm to capture precise as-built conditions of the high-rise construction. This data provided an accurate representation of the physical state of the project at different stages.
- Early detection of structural misalignments: By comparing the as-built conditions to the BIM model, Building Solutions facilitated the early detection of structural misalignments or deviations. This included identifying issues such as misaligned columns, beams, or other critical structural components. Detecting these deviations promptly allowed the project team to address them before they led to significant complications or required extensive rework.
- Quality assurance and risk mitigation: The use of Building Solutions’ automated monitoring solution contributed to quality assurance efforts on the high-rise project. By detecting deviations early on, the project team could ensure that the construction adhered to design intent and the coordinated models and met safety standards, improving the overall construction experience.
Building Solutions’ automated monitoring solution empowered the project team to promptly address structural misalignments, streamline construction schedules, enhance collaboration, and ensure quality assurance. This real-world example illustrates how Building Solutions’ capabilities can be applied in high-rise construction projects to streamline processes, reduce risks, and improve project outcomes.
3. Leverage Predictive Analytics for Improved Efficiency
Predictive analytics plays a vital role in streamlining construction processes. Building Solutions’ predictive analytics solution harnesses historical and real-time data to identify patterns and forecast potential risks. By analyzing project data, contractors can optimize resource allocation, mitigate delays, and make informed decisions proactively.
During a recent multiyear project in the education sector, Skanska’s integration of Building Solutions’ predictive analytics solution proved instrumental in mitigating potential delays:
- Proactive resource allocation: Armed with predictive insights, the project team adjusted resource allocation and subcontractor activities based on the anticipated conditions. At one point in the project, five buildings were being constructed on-site. By strategically planning and allocating resources, the team ensured that all projects stayed on track.
- Real-time adaptation: As the project progressed, the predictive analytics solution allowed the project team to continuously monitor as-built conditions and adjust the schedule as needed. In this case, the mechanical contractor was falling behind. Skanska used this information to accelerate the schedule in other areas. This real-time adaptation enabled swift adjustments to construction activities as needed, ensuring that the project stayed on track despite unforeseen events.
- Overall efficiency and reduced delays: By integrating Building Solution’s predictive analytics solution, the project team achieved improved overall efficiency and reduced delays. The ability to foresee and plan for potential disruptions allowed for better project management, optimized resource allocation, and increased productivity.
The integration of Building Solutions’ predictive analytics exemplifies how data-driven insights can be utilized to streamline construction processes. By adjusting construction activities and allocating resources efficiently, project team members successfully reduced delays and improved overall efficiency.
4. Integrate Prefabrication Techniques
Prefabrication is a construction service that involves manufacturing and assembling building components off-site in controlled factory environments before transporting them to the construction site for installation. The integration of prefabrication techniques into construction processes increases the likelihood of producing quality work.
Building Solutions provide valuable support during the prefabrication process in the ways detailed below.
- Efficient planning and design: Building Solutions enable contractors to leverage as-built documentation and BIM data during the planning and design phases of prefabrication. By incorporating accurate as-built conditions into the virtual design, contractors can precisely plan and customize prefabricated components, ensuring a perfect fit and alignment during installation.
- Enhanced collaboration and communication: Building Solutions’ collaborative platform fosters seamless communication and collaboration among project stakeholders involved in both on-site and off-site construction. This facilitates effective coordination between designers, architects, engineers, manufacturers, and contractors, ensuring that prefabricated components align with the project requirements and schedule.
- Accurate manufacturing and quality control: Building Solutions’ integration of as-built documentation and BIM data aids in maintaining accuracy during the manufacturing of prefabricated components. By aligning the digital models with as-built conditions, contractors can avoid discrepancies during installation and ensure that the fabricated components precisely match the project specifications.
- Time and cost savings: Prefabrication, when combined with Building Solutions’ streamlined coordination and accurate documentation, significantly reduces construction time. By shifting construction activities off-site, contractors can take advantage of parallel processing, allowing multiple tasks to be completed simultaneously. This leads to shorter project timelines, reduced labor costs, and increased productivity.
By supporting the integration of as-built documentation and BIM data, Building Solutions streamlines coordination, enhances communication, and improves quality control. The combination of prefabrication techniques with Building Solutions offers contractors significant time and cost savings while ensuring a high level of accuracy.
5. Continuously Learn and Improve with Data Analytics
Data analytics provides valuable insights into construction processes. Contractors can leverage Building Solutions’ data analytics tools to analyze project data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions. By continuously learning from data, contractors can improve processes, optimize resource allocation, and enhance project outcomes.
For example, analyzing historical project data can help identify factors that might contribute to delays or cost overruns, enabling contractors to implement strategies for improved efficiency. By monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) such as resource utilization, productivity rates, and safety incidents on the job site, contractors can identify areas of improvement and implement targeted measures.
Data analytics also facilitates benchmarking against industry standards and best practices, enabling contractors to set realistic goals and track progress. Overall, contractors who embrace data analytics can unlock valuable insights and optimize their business operations.
Make Efforts to Streamline Construction Processes
The construction industry is constantly evolving. Even if you have years of experience in general contracting, you should continually be looking for new ways to streamline construction processes. This article provided five ways in which you can do so, ranging from BIM to the implementation of data analytics.
By adopting these five key steps and harnessing Building Solutions’ capabilities, contractors can optimize collaboration, improve decision-making, reduce rework, and achieve successful outcomes across various project types.
Embracing technology-driven solutions is the pathway to unlocking efficiency and excellence in the construction industry. Learn more about how our capabilities can help you improve your construction management processes.