In an industry with low profit margins and even lower labor productivity, it is unsurprising that McKinsey & Company ranks the construction sector second-to-last out of twenty-two fields surveyed for digitization readiness. As major industries like finance, insurance, and manufacturing race swiftly towards automation and the industrialization of their assets, construction lags behind — likely because of its labor-intensive nature and localized workforce, the 2021 report states
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However, beneath these overarching statistics lies a more significant issue of misinformation, fragmentation, and overall, a heavy resistance to change. As a traditionally analog space, workers are reluctant to deviate from the industry standard, and mistakenly believe that automating long-held tasks eliminates jobs or otherwise doesn’t fully address each project’s distinct needs. Given the prevalence of small businesses and limited resources, some assume that new technology is purely too costly or challenging to implement.
While these concerns hold validity, it remains a reality that digitization is an essential component of maintaining competitiveness in today’s demanding business environment. With so many factors relatively out of organizational control — labor shortages, economic downturns, and rising material costs among them — technology adoption represents one aspect that can be changed on the individual level.
Let’s examine some of the most common barriers to technology adoption in construction, and explore strategies on how to overcome these challenges.
Tight Budgets & Development Deadlines
Whether in the public or private sector, purchasing a new product typically comes with hidden costs. In the construction space, this includes the near-inevitable learning curve that accompanies the tool’s implementation. Owners may fear organizing company-wide training proves too difficult, or too costly in missed labor. Opening positions to own, operate, and license the technology is also expensive, and involves the time-consuming and resource-intensive process of hiring workers.
Even still, executing these plans does not guarantee a positive return on investment (ROI). Funds are sometimes just simply unavailable. With rapidly-approaching project deadlines, tight budgets, and slim margins, stakeholders may forfeit these opportunities in favor of how things have always been done.
Despite these common myths, a plethora of construction technologies on the market today are affordable and cost-effective for firms both large and small. In actuality, this initial investment is more profitable in the long-run, and able to stand the test of time when used efficiently. Yet for those unable or unwilling to take the leap, consultants and service providers offer cost-effective alternatives.
Considering that 90% of all project costs are incurred in the field rather than the office, one can see why McKinsey & Company states that job site performance may be most effectively improved by gains in “basic project management.” With salaries at an all-time high and labor shortages rampant, a case can quickly be made for technology adoption. Automating laborious tasks like manual surveying, on-the-ground inspections, and routine testing is more likely to land projects on-time and under-budget.
What's included in YOUR GUIDE...
A Proven Roadmap of Success for Implementing Drones in Construction.
A List of Red Flags to Avoid When Hiring Drone Service Providers.
How to Persuade Your Leadership Team to Leverage Drones on Every Jobsite.
Lack of Awareness
Limited time, funds, and resources contribute to a greater lack of awareness surrounding what technology is available and feasible, and how exactly it can be implemented on a job site. With complex, multi-level buildings and varied architecture, many engineers assume that no one technology will address each structure’s needs because of their high degree of customization. And with technology moving at a continuously fast pace, others opt to avoid the problem altogether. Leadership may believe to research, demo, and administer new technology — just for it to become obsolete in a few years — is futile.
In actuality, this information is much more accessible than one thinks. Trade newsletters from reputable construction firms and periodicals may be delivered straight to your e-mail inbox in just a few clicks, or for the social media-savvy, on your feed by following industry leaders like The Drone Life. Experts, technologists, and consultants can be hired to find solutions to fit your organization’s specialized project requirements.
Related Article – 5 Steps to Choosing a Drone Vendor for Your Construction Business
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Fragmented Projects & Communications Silos
Regrettably, the construction industry frequently manifests as a fragmented endeavor involving multiple project owners, teams, and stakeholders — with less than 30% using mobile phones for progress communication as late as 2016. Assuming a new piece of equipment, tool, or technology is actually selected, implementing a company-wide rollout and establishing use cases is another challenge. Competing deadlines, priorities, and job site needs combine to form “this or that” situations fraught with opportunity costs.
But like any change, implementation marks an inevitable piece of digitization. While it is unreasonable to expect an instantaneous, easy rollout, steps can be taken to ensure a smooth transition. Whether this involves garnering early buy-in from project teams or setting significant dates for implementation ahead of time, company-wide adoption will only be successful with larger organizational support. Consultants may also aid in achieving a seamless changeover.
Resistance to Change
Hesitancy and resistance to change is pervasive across job sectors and function levels. As an inherently physical, boots-on-ground industry, construction boasts a conservative culture and general preference for tradition. Despite decades of technological advancements in the field, the prevailing norm continues to be pen-on-paper schedules, field notes, and change orders.
An aging workforce compounds these issues, and brings a healthy dose of skepticism when asked to learn new skills, technologies, or ways of doing things. A fear of “replacing jobs” with automation or digital processes is a common myth amongst this age group, many of whom are looking forward to retirement.
The reality is that all change involves risk, and companies who want to remain both relevant and competitive in today’s business climate must adapt to modern trends. Although digital transformation seems looming or insurmountable, studies show that the process actually creates more jobs, automating physically-demanding tasks and leaving room for more specialized positions and overseers. Plus, new technology can be used to tackle labor shortages and attract younger workers to the field.
Construction Technology 101
While the construction industry hasn’t fully embraced new technology, the potential for change is near-limitless. According to KPMG, only 27% of contractors currently receive real-time data on project progress, and even fewer use robotics or automation tools. Although the pandemic has expedited this progress, substantial advancements remain to be achieved in back-office processes, amounting to a staggering $15.8 billion per the National Institute of Standards and Technology. In short, innovation is key to continued financial success, decade over decade.
At The Drone Life, our team of experts is uniquely positioned to address and overcome these challenges. With more than five years of experience in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction, we’ve helped numerous companies like yours tackle organization-wide selection and implementation of various aerial technologies. If you’re ready to take the next step in your technology search, schedule a consultation with us.
What's included in YOUR GUIDE...
A Proven Roadmap of Success for Implementing Drones in Construction.
A List of Red Flags to Avoid When Hiring Drone Service Providers.
How to Persuade Your Leadership Team to Leverage Drones on Every Jobsite.
