Unleashing the Power of Data-Centric Solution for Engineering and Construction Project Management
/By: Srikanth Bangaru Director of Construction Technology at Inncircles Technologies
From Vecteezy.com
In the contemporary construction landscape, the digital revolution has ushered in an era where data has become an invaluable asset. The engineering and construction industry generates a staggering 2.5 quintillion bytes of data daily, a monumental volume that can potentially reshape how projects are managed and executed. However, the stark reality remains that 96% of this data goes unused. In this article, we delve into the critical importance of data-centric solutions in the construction industry, highlighting the challenges and proposing a comprehensive solution that unlocks the true potential of construction data.
The State of Engineering and Construction Data
A significant challenge facing the construction industry lies in the nature of the data it produces. A whopping 90% of this data is unstructured, making it difficult to derive meaningful insights. Only 8% of Engineering and Construction (E&C) firms possess project management capabilities that offer dashboards, and a mere 30% have applications that do not seamlessly integrate with each other. Consequently, 13% of valuable project time is spent searching for crucial project data.
The Impact of Ineffective Data Utilization
The consequences of underutilizing construction data are far-reaching. Without harnessing the power of this vast information reserve, project control becomes a daunting task. Improved project operations, risk mitigation, and informed decision-making all hinge on the ability to effectively leverage the data generated in the construction ecosystem.
The Role of Data as a Navigator
Data, when utilized strategically, serves as a powerful navigator. It acts as a compass, guiding project managers and stakeholders through the intricate maze of construction projects. By understanding and leveraging the data generated, stakeholders can gain better project control, optimize operations, and mitigate risks effectively.
Data-Centric Model
This model focuses on the organization, management, and standardization of data. It aims to create a foundation where data is structured, stored, and accessible in a consistent manner. Data-centricity ensures necessary data is available when needed and is of high quality. The model focuses on constructing data structures, collecting and storing data, connecting numerous data points, and computing said data to generate insights.
Let us further break down Data Centricity and the Construct, Collect, Connect and Compute architecture further.
Construct: Standardizing Data Structure
To harness the full potential of construction data, it is imperative to organize the data collection process. This involves developing a structured and systematic approach that ensures all required data elements are captured efficiently. The solution lies in the adoption of a platform that facilitates the construction and creation of workflows tailored to a specific need (or needs) of a project.
Collect: Collect Large Volume of Data with Ease
Efficient data collection is at the heart of effective construction project management. To achieve this, organizations must configure, customize, and personalize work logging templates that align with the unique aspects of each project. This ensures relevant data is captured, both accurately and comprehensively. Furthermore, enabling offline data logging capabilities allows for seamless data collection even in areas with limited connectivity, with subsequent synchronization.
Connect: Establishing Data Relations
Connecting disparate data elements is crucial for deriving meaningful insights. The integration of data elements ensures relevance in the enterprise landscape, allowing stakeholders to understand the intricate relationships between various facets of a project. By organizing the data collection process in a structured format, organizations can establish robust connections that unveil interdependencies within a project ecosystem. Additionally, integrating data elements across various databases is essential; this not only streamlines the data flow, but also enhances the accuracy and consistency of the information at hand.
“A comprehensive data connection strategy serves as a bridge that ensures relevant data is effortlessly shared across the entire construction project ecosystem.”
Compute: Smart Computation for Real-time Insights
Once the data is collected and connected, the next critical step is computation. Smart computation algorithms play a pivotal role in processing millions of data points in real-time. These algorithms provide construction stakeholders with accurate and up-to-date progress numbers, enabling informed decision-making and proactive project management.
The construction industry stands at the threshold of a data revolution. By acknowledging the vast amounts of data points being generated (2.5 quintillion bytes in a single day), stakeholders can transform their approach to construction project management. The key lies in embracing a comprehensive construction data management platform that allows for the construction of structured workflows, seamless data collection, effective data connection, and smart computation. By adopting a proactive stance towards data utilization, construction firms can navigate construction project complexities with confidence and efficiency, ushering in a new era of innovation and success.
About the Author
Srikanth Bangaru is the Director of Construction Technology at Inncircles Technologies. He is instrumental in spearheading innovation and the development of a highly configurable and customizable platform for engineering, procurement, and construction project management teams, suitable for residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects. Before joining Inncircles, Srikanth worked on various capital projects in capacities of a data scientist, planner, scheduler, and project controls lead. Srikanth is the industry advisor for research grants funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on the application of emerging technologies to address the construction workforce shortage issue. He has published several international journal articles on construction safety, wearable sensors, AI applications in construction, construction 4.0 technologies, ergonomics, human factors, safety training, and monitoring. His interdisciplinary research on wearable sensing technologies, robotic exoskeletons, and artificial intelligence has provided crucial insights into reducing risk and improving workplace safety in the construction industry. Some of his research, published in peer-reviewed international journals, is also highly cited, implying the importance of Srikanth's research credentials and impact on construction safety. For his contribution to the construction safety innovation, Srikanth has been awarded the Rising Star of Safety by the National Safety Council 2023. He is a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Science, and has a Master of Science in Construction Management from the Louisiana State University.
