Digitise your building process in four simple steps

Geschreven door:

Stan Marks, January 13, 2022

Successful construction companies are going digital with building processes. Not only does this method provide clarity, but it’s more efficient and reduces costly mistakes. In this article, we explain how you can take advantage of these benefits and get started on your path to a digital future.

Digitalising the building process

The construction process encompasses everything within the realisation of a building or construction project. The physical building part is still manual (for now), but all communication, documentation, and quality assurance checks can be made fully digital.

Usually, a project consists of these three phases: the design phase, implementation phase, and assessment phase. Over this article, we’re going to focus on digitalising the implementation phase.

A digital system is only efficient if you can use it on multiple devices.

Challenges in digitalisation

New construction software is being developed every day. However, many construction companies find it difficult to adapt and develop a fully integrated digital system. Here are some reasons why:

  • More manual work – The construction industry continue to work often via non-automated methods. Turning to a pen and paper, sending an SMS or calling rather than simply tapping on an iPad. 
  • Implementation – Implementing a new system can be a barrier. You don’t want to spend time learning a process or supporting many others who will also have to use it. Many suppliers offer a smooth, fast implementation process which is tailored directly to your organisation. 
  • Training staff – A digital system requires your organisation to undergo a transformation in working method. Staff have to learn how to use the software and find their rhythm. Thankfully, software suppliers often provide training sessions to onboard clients seamlessly.
  • Bring third-parties on board – As a project manager in the construction industry you have to deal with multiple subcontractors. Many of whom also use their own suppliers and specialists. With digitalisation and the adoption of one overarching system, it can be a challenge to involve everyone related to a development. Some people can be more difficult to motivate than others, thus making it more important to keep to a protocol. Allowing for a smooth delivery on every area of the project and one complete overview.
  • Devices – For a digital system to work optimally, it’s best used on various portable devices. For example, on-site with a smartphone or tablet and a PC from the office. To implement a digital system, these devices must be available to all users.
  • Security – You might be under the impression that a pen and paper or external hard-drive feels more secure than a cloud solution. Well, does hiding money in your mattress feel more secure than a safe? Storing your data in the cloud is far more safe and reliable due to professional security features and automated back-ups. For cloud providers, managing cloud solutions is what we’re good at and is at the core of our business.

Why choose a digital building process?

A digital building process creates synergy within your organisation. Ensuring that you collaborate all communication and documentation into one online system. No more loose paper scribbles, 30 seconds phone calls, and text messages, but everything you need in one overview.

Digital building processes save time and prevent human errors. It provides proof that all the open tasks have been completed and according to the quality that you promised. By having multiple projects digitally available, areas of optimisation in certain work patterns will become clear. Ultimately giving you the power to increase productivity and your profit margins.

Research the different systems on the market, request demos, and discover which software best suits your organisation.

Ready to digitise your building process?

Are you convinced of the added value of construction software? Follow these 4 steps below get the process started:

  1. Choose the right package. Research the various systems on the market, request demos and discover which software best suits you and (the working method of) your organisation. We’ve done the hard work for you already, read our blog about finding a good package for quality assurance and document management software in construction.
  2. Examine the implementation process. See how the implementation works for the package you have in mind. Is it done by the supplier or do you have to do a lot in-house? How quickly can you get started with all your available data? Finally, is it possible to make (or have made) adjustments to the software so that it’s a better fit with your current working method?
  3. Run a pilot project. Have you found suitable software? Give it a test-run on one construction project that’s still in the design phase, preferably a small project. Gradually your staff are trained and everyone is comfortable working with the system. By testing, you get a feel for the software without too much risk attached and you receive real-time feedback from the people who’ll be working with it.
  4. Satisfied? Scale up. Once you’re satisfied with your software scale up with a larger project and increase the use of the digital system until you’ve entirely transferred over to the new method.

Make the leap

Using a new system can be exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. What if it doesn’t work? Will you miss core functionality? What if your colleagues don’t want to use it? The only way to answer these questions is to take the leap and give it a try. At ProStream, we provide as much (or as little) support as you need. Plan a day where you try different free trials and run a small pilot project with the software you like best. What do you have to lose?