As highlighted by specialists in process management, FS Global, digitalization in the construction sector will not only transform all internal work processes in the sector, increasing productivity, but also improve conditions of connectivity, energy efficiency and safety in homes and work spaces.

Although other professional sectors have already demonstrated that the use of digitalization systems are very effective in the limitation of execution errors, decrease in deadlines and the improvement of performance of professionals, the construction sector has been fairly reluctant to join in.

The starting point for digitalization of processes in construction, just like with other professional sectors, is the implementation of enterprise resource planning software, ERP, that will allow proactive monitoring and administration of the life cycle of each project carried out. The installation of ERPs that centralize all the information related to each build will allow adaption to the tendencies of the sector such as BIM processes or the use of drones enabled by the Internet of Things. The integration of the new technologies in work processes, far from being an unrealistic investment for companies, will mean a growth in productivity of more than 20%.

In additional to BIM and the IoT, another big trend in the sector that is also aimed at increasing productivity is offsite prefabrication or modular construction. It consists of planning, designing, building and sub-assembling all the elements that make up the construction in a place different from their final location and then assembling them in situ.

Modular construction is already being used for residential and multi-family housing as well as governmental, mining, maritime and commercial projects. Two examples of this are the mini Sky City of China, which was built in less than 20 days, or the hospital to house those affected by the coronavirus, which only took 10 days.

According to the global consultancy firm, McKinsey, modular construction has two important advantages: decrease in construction time by 50% and a decrease in costs. It also increases productivity.