Allison Scott
The construction lifecycle has traditionally been anything but connected. If you’ve worked in the industry, you’re all too familiar with the impact of disconnected processes and data. Today, most construction sites are plagued by a lack of communication between the numerous teams involved on-site. Contractors and trade specialists often find themselves working with outdated data and plans that are riddled with errors and omissions. Data silos, disconnected teams, and poor visibility into real-time information negatively impacts project performance, leaving stakeholders pointing fingers instead of celebrating a job well done.
Construction is a highly collaborative process, but it’s also very fragmented. Poor data and disconnected information are leading to costly delays, rework, and waste. No wonder the U.S. construction industry alone lost $177 billion from poor data and communication in 2018, according to a report from FMI.
The time has come to rethink construction at every stage. This starts with building a foundation that connects teams, lifecycles, and projects; a new era of connected construction.
At Autodesk, we’re building a new model for the construction industry. With the launch of Autodesk Construction Cloud™, we’re delivering comprehensive, integrated technology that seamlessly connects the office, trailer, and the field. Beyond making construction more sustainable, safe, and profitable, we believe that a stronger digital foundation can better position companies to help solve major world issues, from meeting the world’s expanding infrastructure and housing demands to protecting the environment.
At the heart of connected construction is data. Connected data and digitization can help streamline workflows, improve the way teams work, and cultivate innovation so you can turn lagging indicators into leading indicators. And connected data is the backbone of Autodesk Construction Cloud™.
So, what do the new, connected construction sites of tomorrow look like? Let’s explore below.
Inside the Construction Lifecycle of Tomorrow
Autodesk Construction Cloud combines next generation technology, a robust network of professionals, and powerful insights to help businesses thrive. The software fosters collaboration and a seamless flow of information from design and planning to build and operations, for millions of people and projects around the world.
Design
This phase is about making the design more relatable to the rest of the stakeholders, and over time it gets more precise as the team begins to leverage and share project data like materials, size, scale, cost, and schedule to inform project decisions sooner. Integrated technology lets project teams collaborate on coordinated, shared designs – regardless of location, role in the project, or stage of the project.
With Autodesk Construction Cloud, the architect, engineers, contractor, and owner are all able to use powerful visualization tools, intelligent models, and embedded data to design and collaborate in real-time in the cloud. In turn, this improves communication and collaboration amongst the entire team, making it easier to arrive at agreed-upon design solutions sooner.
Plan
As design collaboration deepens, planning and preconstruction teams start to add valuable context like cost, schedule, and procurement. Using connected construction software, the team can leverage the design data and models to accurately create estimates and uncover potential problems before construction begins.
Preconstruction and construction operations teams require access to the same models, plans, estimates, and documents. Typically, this information is manually transferred into project management software, a time-consuming process that can result in missing files and data errors. Now using the native integrations in Autodesk Construction Cloud, teams can instantly transfer files between the plan and build phases to automatically start a project record, sidestepping manual project creation and quickly getting teams up to speed. Whether on a desktop or a mobile device – information is immediately accessible.
With Autodesk Construction Cloud, teams can also leverage the industry’s largest builder’s network to find and select the best team for the job in the bidding phase. Instead of relying on your rolodex, you can now tap into all the talent across the market, increasing your ability to manage bids and quickly build the right team.
Build
The construction phase brings together the most people in the process to finalize design plans, coordinate them for constructability, and start the site enablement and construction mobilization. As plans get coordinated, site construction starts, and real-time project management and field collaboration become increasingly critical.
Whether teams are based on the jobsite or in the office, a constant communication flow is essential. With Autodesk Construction Cloud, teams can stay on top of design changes and coordinate in real-time with the full team — from the architect to trade contractors.
Powerful insights powered by analytical and machine learning tools also enable smarter decision making and help identify where risks are most likely to happen. Making it easier for teams to react in real-time with data-driven decision making.
Operate
Work doesn’t end when construction is complete. There are finalization and closeout processes, including punch lists and commissioning. Autodesk Construction Cloud enables all building information –assets, documents, models, and more – be gathered, organized, and turned over to the owner, so they are “ready on day one” to operate the building.
With all the information at their fingertips, facilities managers have a comprehensive digital record set in one easy-to-access place to manage all building maintenance and operational needs efficiently. Even when it’s time for future renovations or rebuilds, Autodesk Construction Cloud provides all the information owners need to make cost-effective and data-driven decisions.
Ready to Close Loop?
Information and processes that are fragmented and siloed and disconnected are costing your business. With Autodesk Construction Cloud, there is no reason for any project to be disconnected. Connect the construction lifecycle today.
See how Autodesk Construction Cloud is building a new model for the industry, connecting data, teams, projects, and businesses like never before.
