Maximizing Efficiency in Construction Projects: A Case study

Construction projects are a common sight, yet the industry lags in embracing technology, ranking second to last. In that, progress tracking plays a pivotal role in ensuring the timely completion of tasks and preventing potential losses.

In the construction industry, the absence of effective progress tracking can lead to errors and cost overruns. 

Successfully managing construction projects requires attention to detail and precise tracking. However, teams spend significant time on manual data collection, documentation, and report preparation, leading to inefficiencies.

This results in approximately 35% of professionals’ time being lost, equating to 14 hours per person each week.

According to a survey conducted by KPMG, a staggering 70% of construction projects experience cost overruns and delays, with 60% of projects exceeding their planned timelines. These setbacks can profoundly impact project budgets, schedules, and overall success.

To address these challenges, the adoption of cutting-edge technology becomes imperative. Construction professionals can ensure accuracy, timely completion, and cost-efficiency by minimizing manual work and leveraging technology’s capabilities.

Embracing the latest technological advancements allows projects to proceed smoothly without delays, high costs, and significant errors. It empowers construction teams to focus on their primary objective – project execution – rather than being consumed by cumbersome administrative tasks.

Who uses construction technology applications?

In construction sites, technology adoption is driven by three primary user groups. Now, let’s explore how these groups utilize technology in their respective job roles.

Project Managers:

Project Managers oversee construction operations, coordinating and managing various aspects of the building process. They collaborate with stakeholders for effective communication and successful project delivery, within budget and on time.

VDC (Virtual Design and Construction) Managers :

VDC Managers implement digital tech in construction. They oversee the entire VDC process, utilizing BIM software. They collaborate closely with BIM Managers, ensuring the smooth execution of VDC strategies. Also, managing orders and coordinating with other management figures for effective tool usage.

Field Level Engineers:

Field Level Engineers are crucial on-site engineers in construction projects. They oversee equipment installation and functionality. They direct workers, inspect activities, and ensure accurate design implementation.

Field engineers conduct research, and provide progress reports for smooth operations and project success.

Challenges faced by construction professionals for the project execution:

1. Manual data collection and report preparation:

Project teams spend significant time manually collecting and preparing reports, which is time-consuming and prone to errors. This detracts from their core responsibilities and takes away valuable time that could be spent on project execution.

2. Time-consuming progress tracking:

Project managers and VDC teams spend considerable effort updating models and calculating work progress regularly. This repetitive task diverts their attention from more critical project management and coordination activities.

3. Inaccurate subcontractor data:

The accuracy of data provided by subcontractors is often questionable, leading to scheduling conflicts and delays. Project managers face challenges coordinating various teams due to unreliable data and wasting time and resources.

4. Lack of streamlined communication:

Inefficient communication channels and fragmented information flow within project teams can lead to miscommunication, misunderstandings, and delays. Clear and streamlined communication is essential for effective project execution.

5. Limited visibility and transparency:

Siloed record-keeping systems hinder transparency and collaboration among project stakeholders. This lack of visibility makes it difficult to track project progress, identify bottlenecks, and make informed decisions promptly.

6. Costly rework and delays:

Reworks account for a significant portion of project costs, and delays can cascade effects on project timelines and budgets. Early identification of deviations and proactive measures to address issues can significantly reduce rework costs and minimize schedule disruptions.

7. Underutilization of visual documentation solutions:

Visual documentation tools are often used solely for record-keeping purposes, missing out on their potential to improve project execution. Leveraging these tools for better communication, problem-solving, and decision-making can enhance collaboration and efficiency on construction projects.

How are these users looking to leverage construction technology?

Construction professionals seek an all-in-one platform integrating various technologies for progress tracking and project execution. 

They want a comprehensive solution combining Building Information Modeling (BIM), construction management software, drones, laser scanning, IoT and sensors, LIDAR, wearables, and 360-degree cameras. 

Such a platform would streamline their workflows, enhance communication and collaboration, improve project visibility, and facilitate data-driven decision-making. Construction teams want a centralized hub that provides seamless access to project information, real-time monitoring capabilities, and advanced analytics.

An all-in-one platform would empower them to optimize resources, mitigate risks, and deliver projects efficiently and successfully.

Introducing Constructn.ai

Constructn.ai is a game-changing automated construction monitoring solution that empowers General Contractors and Asset Owners to streamline projects remarkably efficiently.

By leveraging cutting-edge technologies like computer vision, AI, and ML, Constructn.ai combines data from diverse sources such as aerial and indoor images, mobile sensors, laser scanners, and 360-degree images. 

This comprehensive analysis allows for accurate project progress assessment and proactive detection of deviations from design and schedule. With Constructn.ai, project teams gain access to real-time data, enabling them to make informed decisions, execute projects flawlessly, and achieve optimal results. Simplify construction monitoring with Constructn.ai’s simplicity, speed, and precision.

Why did constructn.ai choose Divami for platform redesign? 

Constructn.ai faced various challenges in its platform that necessitated a redesign. One of their main concerns was low adoption rates, indicating a need for a more intuitive and user-friendly interface. Additionally, the turnaround time for data updation and schedule creation was lengthy, impacting efficiency—the usage of BIM designs and split view comparison needed enhancement to facilitate better decision-making. 

The existing workflows lacked intuitiveness, making it difficult for general contractors and asset owners to navigate the platform effectively.

The overall look and feel of the application required improvement, along with better data representation for easier interpretation.

Lastly, the platform needed to minimize unnecessary clicks and optimize navigation to reduce time wasted accessing relevant information.

Divami brought its expertise in creating intuitive workflows and enhancing the user experience to address these challenges.

Our designers focused on making the platform more user-friendly, ensuring a seamless experience for users. 

Our proficiency in data representation and visual design helped improve the overall look and feel of the application, making it easier for users to interpret and analyze project progress information.

Minimizing unnecessary clicks and optimizing navigation helped reduce the turnaround time for data updation and schedule creation, improving overall efficiency. 

How did we help constructn.ai with the redesign of the platform?

Divami, a UX/UI design agency, helped Constructn.ai address the mentioned pain points in its platform. Here’s how Divami addressed each issue:

– We redesigned the Constructn.ai dashboard to address the pain points. We combined the Overview and Progress sections with more interactive widgets, allowing users to access information more efficiently. The KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) were made interactive by incorporating dynamic data, making them more engaging and informative. Our UX designers also highlighted issues on the Dashboard with action-driven options, enabling users to take immediate action.

– We improved the discoverability of options in the Site View by enhancing the icons. The new icons are more intuitive and visually appealing, making it easier for users to identify and access different features and functionalities.

– Our UX designers added more filters to the Map feature, enhancing the data representation of the site. The additional filters allow users to refine the data displayed on the map, enabling them to extract more specific and relevant information per their requirements.

– We also addressed the confusion associated with the Gantt View in the Schedules section. We redesigned the Gannt View to make it more intuitive and user-friendly, ensuring that users can easily understand and navigate the schedules without confusion.

– Our UI designers enhanced the designs of the Dashboard by making them more interactive. We improved the graphs and widgets, making them visually appealing and engaging. Divami also resolved alignment issues and optimized white spaces in multiple areas of the Dashboard, resulting in a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing design.

– We resolved alignment issues in the Schedules section, ensuring the elements are properly arranged and visually consistent, enhancing the overall user experience.

By addressing these UX and UI pain points, Divami helped improve the overall usability and visual appeal of Constructn.ai’s platform, providing users with a more enjoyable and efficient experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the construction industry faces significant challenges in progress tracking and project execution. However, by embracing cutting-edge technology and leveraging platforms like Constructn.ai, construction professionals can streamline workflows, improve communication, and achieve optimal results. With the expertise of Divami, these platforms can undergo transformative redesigns to address user pain points, enhance usability, and empower construction teams to thrive in a technologically advanced environment.