Not even a few decades ago, building amenities and their capacity to house users were limited by the functional boundaries of the technologies they accommodated. While they did serve their purpose, they possessed minimal capabilities for adaptation or response to flexible lifestyles, work habits, day to day obligations or evolving work responsibilities. Gradually, single and multi-function electronic systems for central control of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) entered the conversation – opening the doors to automation, and its landscape of applications. In the 2000s, advancements in the cloud and IoT made it possible to incorporate smart technology into the building process. Now, property companies incorporate its affordances in living to optimise the efficiency and quality of builds. Let’s look into the other ways smart technology impacts modern building project management, with our team at Connect Facilities in this article.
Core Components of Smart Building Technology
These features are changing the way buildings are managed. They also play an important role in creating a cohesive and responsive building ecosystem:
- Data Collection Apps: These apps allow companies to gather faster, more accurate, and higher-quality data from the job site.
- Virtual Reality and Wearables: VR tech is often used together with Building Information Modelling (BIM) software for the team, clients, and other stakeholders to better understand the project. Having this solid understanding before the project begins allows the team to avoid big and expensive changes in the project midway.
- AI: Various construction companies or property holders use AI in different ways. Some use it simply to collect and organise data while others use it to audit their systems and processes.
How Smart Building Technology Enhances Building Project Management
Enhancing Resource Allocation and Operational Efficiency
Traditional resource allocation relied heavily on manual tracking. However, this method is not always accurate, and is often time-consuming. This can be improved with the integration of IoT sensors and AI-powered analytics.
For instance, IoT sensors deployed on heavy machinery can alert managers where equipment is underused, overused, or in need of maintenance. This real-time tracking provides a granular level of control over equipment and materials, reducing waste and downtime in administrative recording, asset maintenance in your arsenal of equipment, and their spillover effects into employee training, OHS considerations during operation and more.
Improving Risk Management and Safety Protocols
Safety is always one of the biggest concerns in construction, but smart technology has opened up new avenues to monitor on-site practices and reduce risks. Metres that take note of energy consumption for instance, could allow project managers to monitor where work is most concentrated in foot traffic and site congestion – and from there, adjust health and safety compliance to meet the demands of ongoing work processes. In Australia, where regulations surrounding worker safety are strict, these tools help companies comply while actively looking out for their workers.
Another technology that’s benefitting risk management is digital twins. These are virtual replicas of the site that mirror real-world conditions. Project managers can run simulations in this digital environment and forecast how different factors including weather conditions or traffic flow can affect the build.
Data Driven Decisions and Predictive Analysis
Data is one of the most sought-after assets in building project management. With more comprehensive platforms geared toward analytics metrics, project managers can gather data from varying sources to curate a 360-degree view on usage behaviour and tendencies, and house the suite of operations under one single interface.
This data can then be fed into predictive analytics powered by machine learning algorithms to identify patterns and trends that may affect the build. This helps managers anticipate delays, cost overruns, and equipment failures before they happen. For example, managers can use these tools in conjunction with advanced weather reports to create more accurate scheduling adjustments.
Smoother Communication and Collaboration
Historically, delays and miscommunications are some of the most challenging aspects of construction, leading to cost overruns and project setbacks. However, with smart technology, these issues can be significantly decreased.
With BIM, for instance, all members of the project from the engineers to the facility managers can collaborate in real-time. This prevents outdated information and conflicting plans which minimises the risk of errors.
Key Takeaways
The advent of technology has set the bar higher for construction projects – however, it has also enhanced the capability of construction agencies and all those involved to effectively execute the project. As time goes by, this cycle will keep on repeating, shaping the future of construction and paving the way to its heights.
At Connect Facilities, we are at the forefront of this shift. Our expert team uses the latest in smart project management tools to deliver solutions that are efficient, cost-effective, and safe.
Whether you’re managing a large-scale construction project or a smaller renovation, we have the expertise and technology to ensure your project’s success. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.