Picture this. Project setbacks are no longer something to dread, instead, you’re able to navigate them with ease. Your project is on track and your entire workforce, from jobsite managers to executives in the office, are seamlessly sharing real-time data—and making great decisions because of it. Every phase of construction is on time and on budget. Sounds like a dream, right? You might be surprised to learn that this dreamscape is closer to reality than you think.
So, what holds so many construction firms back from achieving this possibility? Harnessing the Data Advantage in Construction, a global industry report made in partnership between Autodesk and FMI, uncovers some answers to this pertinent question.
According to our research, over $1.8 trillion in global construction waste may be caused due to bad data. The root of this problem is largely associated with deficiencies in the quality of data you make decisions from. In turn, this issue begs some important questions directly related to how skilled your workforce is in leveraging the plethora of data points.
As a leader or manager, ask yourself:
- What kind of skills are needed to make sure my teams keep up with industry tech?
- Should I be investing in my teams’ data and tech skills? What does that look like?
- What roles should I expect to fill as construction becomes more data-driven?
To help answer these questions, we spoke with several respected technology leaders in construction. They shared their thoughts on the importance of workforce upskilling and tips for embracing the data-driven world of construction. What we found was a range of ideas for getting more value from your data, how to properly govern data, and suggestions for fostering a data-first culture. Read on for their insights.
Data skills with high value
The volume of construction data has doubled in the last three years according to our research in the data strategy report mentioned above. We asked, “What data management or analytical skills do you think will be most important in the future of the construction industry?”
Understanding the value of data in decision-making
Making data trustworthy and easy to access
Knowing how to use new analytic technology
“Do not rely on the age-old reporting that your system is currently generating. Ask new questions about how jobs perform. Ask questions about how teams and different combinations of teams, project types, and clients all interact. Start leveraging new analytic technology to tell you where it sees issues in your business and go from there. If you just stick to the same report you have always used, you won’t see the value of the gold mine you are sitting on.” —Matt Lamb, Chief Innovation Officer, Rosendin
Ensuring data governance, stewardship and consistency
Connecting and relating data from disparate sources
Why and how to invest in data skills
Investing in skill development can help ensure your team is equipped to manage current and future challenges. Knowing where to start is often the hardest part. We asked, “Do you think construction companies should be investing in skill development (such as data management and analysis) to equip their workforce for the future? If so, where do you think firms should start?”
Education is critical to success
Begin with a data strategy
Support high-level B.I. and analytics training
Bring or build the talent in-house
Emerging construction roles
Good data is imperitive to to decision making. Who manages the data and how continues to reveal itself as the industry evolves. So, we asked, “What type of construction roles do you expect to emerge or expand in the coming decade as construction becomes more data driven?” Here’s what was shared in our interviews.
Focus on data culture and data democratization
Expect more data analysts and engineers
Growth of the construction technology role
Data specialists integrated in IT
What does the future of data skills look like?
We can expect to see data governance, stewardship, and consistency grow in importance as the industry embraces a data-first culture. As you’ve heard from the experts, making data work for your firm requires an investment in skills development as well as a strong foundational strategy. We’d love to hear your thoughts on the future of data-driven roles in construction. How do you see roles evolving and how can companies best upskill their workforce? Join the discussion in The Big Room, our online construction community.
Download our in-depth Data Strategy report
Harnessing the Data Advantage in Construction is a revealing report covering the true cost of bad data, and the actionable steps you can take to build a data strategy that gives you a competitive edge. The report includes guidance on establishing focal points, organizational buy-in, standardization of data and more. The report was made in partnership between Autodesk and FMI. If you’d prefer to listen, you can download the audiobook version of the report as well.
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