There is a misconception that the construction industry is behind the times. While there are always opportunities to improve adoption and functionalities, as a whole, there are many exciting examples of innovation happening in construction right now.
The coming year is set to be a big one for technology trends, especially when it comes to doing more with less in the wake of labor shortages and demand surges. While there may be a wave of new, out-of-the-box innovations for construction, expect to see technology fill a more strategic, day-to-day role as companies move away from outdated methods of data collection and documentation.
Because of the constant development of construction technology, there are many trends expected to impact the industry. However, there are three that will likely be the most significant:
In 2020, the greatest tech trends likely won’t be those that aim to revolutionize or disrupt the industry; the most prevalent ones will be those that help GCs invest in their infrastructure through data collection, analyzation, collaboration and documentation.
The worker shortage is an issue that has impacted the construction industry for many years, and it appears to only be increasing. In 2018, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the construction industry had almost 300,000 vacant jobs.
Although Baby Boomers currently make up a large portion of the construction industry, they are beginning to leave as they get older, which is why construction businesses should work to cater the work environment to younger individuals. In order to attract younger workers, such as millennials and Gen Z, construction industry leaders will have to adopt technology into everyday practices. As technology natives, younger generations expect to have it naturally integrated into the workplace and some may not be willing to work in an environment that lacks the tools they feel they need to work most efficiently and effectively. Construction professionals who do not meet these generations’ desires for a better-equipped workplace are missing out on valuable candidates.
Not only will the investment in technology help attract new workers to the field, but it will also help address the many struggles construction companies encounter during business development, billing and other behind-the-scenes essentials. Due to the shortage of workers in the construction industry, it is vital that in tandem with using technology to attract new generations, construction professionals also learn to use these developments to fill the void of having fewer workers. To efficiently use resources, technology will have to be incorporated to improve communication, analysis and transparency on projects.
Technology in the construction industry is continuing to grow and 2020 will be no exception. As the industry continues to innovate, construction professionals should work to figure out which solutions work best for them. Technology is not a one-size-fits-all plan; instead, industry professionals should work to customize options to fit their needs and desires.
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