Today, it's more common to see a site manager arriving with a tablet under his arm instead of his usual pile of files. No more paperwork, everything is now digital.
This scene, which has become a daily occurrence, perfectly illustrates the transition our industry is undergoing. And this transition comes with its share of great promises: increased efficiency, fluid and instantaneous communication, real-time monitoring of construction projects. In theory, it's every building professional's dream.
But the reality on the ground is more nuanced.
Is the digital revolution really better than good old-fashioned methods? That's precisely the question we're going to explore in this article! We'll be looking at what this transition brings to our industry, its real benefits, the challenges it poses on a day-to-day basis, and above all, how it can be put to practical use. Here, you won't find any grand theoretical speeches, but facts and advice that can be applied on your worksites tomorrow.
Many project managers thought the digital tablet would solve all their problems. But from day one, they found themselves juggling applications that didn't communicate with each other, waiting for files to load on a capricious network and explaining, for the umpteenth time, to their 55-year-old colleagues how to access digital plans (and we agree: we've got nothing against our colleagues over 55 - digital technology is no substitute for experience!)
This situation is far from unique. Indeed, the promise of paperless construction often comes up against the reality on the ground. Procedures, supposed to be simplified, can become complex. Digital tools, poorly mastered due to a lack of appropriate training, slow down work instead of speeding it up. And when a bug occurs or the connection breaks down, the whole site is paralyzed. Ironically, some find themselves printing out documents or filling in Excel files "just in case", creating a new form of paperwork, parallel to the digital system. In short, the digital revolution, which is supposed to free us from bureaucracy, sometimes seems to create a new, more modern bureaucracy, but one that is just as frustrating.
Ironically, some people find themselves printing documents "just in case", creating a new form of paperwork parallel to the digital system. The digital revolution, which is supposed to free us from bureaucracy, sometimes seems to create a new, more modern one, but just as frustrating.
If you really want to succeed in integrating digital technology into your projects, you need to focus on 3 essential pillars, and make sure you don't neglect them.
Training is crucial. It's imperative that every team member, from the novice to the most experienced, receives in-depth training in the new digital tools. This approach recognizes that mastering these technologies can be complex and requires time and practice, just like learning traditional business skills. Leading companies set up ongoing training programs, enabling progressive and effective adaptation to the new technologies implemented within the company.
Hours lost due to bugs or connection problems can cost a project dearly. To anticipate this problem, invest in software with responsive and available technical support. Not just on paper, but in practice too! Check with your peers or on the Internet to find out about the quality of technical support before choosing a software package.
Finally, the right choice of digital tools is essential. Rather than systematically opting for the most sophisticated solutions, select tools that really match the needs of the site and the skills of the team. The emphasis should be on ease of use and universal adoption, rather than technical complexity. A simple tool, but used effectively by all team members, often proves far more productive than high-performance, overpriced software that no-one has fully mastered.
Admittedly, implementing these changes requires a little time, patience and fine-tuning. However, companies that adopt this approach see a significant improvement in their productivity and, by extension, in the customer experience. Teams adapt quickly, productivity increases and even the most reluctant end up appreciating digitization, recognizing the practical benefits it brings to their day-to-day work.
The digital turnaround in the construction sector is a complex transformation project requiring an agile, collaborative approach. Companies need to understand that digitization is an ongoing process, requiring a well-defined strategy and effective change management.
To achieve a successful transformation, construction players need to adopt a gradual approach. Thus, owners and design offices are setting short-term transformation targets, focusing on the gradual integration of tools. Beyond the traditional CRM to manage the customer portfolio, visualization of the project as a whole is becoming a prerequisite for competitiveness. For example, a team might first familiarize itself with BIM (Building Information Modeling) before moving on to the use of connected objects on site. This approach enables employees to adapt to new uses without being overwhelmed by too many simultaneous changes.
Communication plays a crucial role in this process. Your managers need to encourage collaborative working and create an environment conducive to sharing experiences. Regular meetings can be organized to discuss transformation issues, share successes and address challenges. This transparency helps to keep the team motivated and to adjust the strategy if necessary.
Collaborative learning is proving to be a powerful lever. Employees who adapt quickly to new technologies often become players in the transformation, guiding their colleagues. This internal support system strengthens the corporate culture and accelerates the adoption of digital solutions.
It's important to recognize that digital maturity evolves in a non-linear way. Some days, the team may regret the old ways, while others will marvel at the opportunities offered by digital. You'll need to prepare your teams for this reality, emphasizing that these fluctuations are an integral part of the process.
The digital transformation of the construction sector represents a profound change that affects all aspects of the industry. To succeed in this transition, you need to rethink the way you work. This new era brings with it powerful transformation tools such as BIM, the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, which offer unprecedented opportunities to innovate and increase productivity.
However, this transformation involves much more than the adoption of new technologies. It requires an internal transformation, affecting employee skills, organizational processes and corporate culture. Companies need to instill a culture of innovation and agility, while placing customer relations at the heart of their strategy. Over the next few years, successful transition will become a must, for private contractors as much as for civil engineering and public works. The transformation of the construction sector is imminent, and will affect all trades!
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