Extract
Technology is completely revolutionizing construction project management. By integrating visual, quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate project performance, informed decision making can be facilitated and effectiveness and efficiency in monitoring implementation can be improved; thus promoting innovation and success in real estate developments.
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Transforming Construction Project Management through Technology
Construction project management is essential for ensuring that real estate developments are completed on time as planned, within the budgeted cost, with the required quality standards and safety that prevents accidents. This process involves directing and organizing each part of the project life cycle, from defining the real estate developer's objectives and strategies, through planning its execution and the integration of work teams to develop it, until its construction and delivery for the operation and maintenance of the asset.
In this context, the supervision of the execution and control of the work site is a crucial part of the success of real estate development. and presents a number of unique challenges depending on the nature and type of project we seek to create. However, some challenges that we can find in most projects are:
Changes in Scope due to customer requirements, unforeseen conditions or on-site discoveries; many times without extension of time.
Pressure to Meet Tight Deadlines due to financial restrictions, contractual commitments or customer demands; without compromising quality or safety.
Cash Flow Problems due to poor commercial, operational and/or credit management.
Conflicts Between Different Parties due to poor performance, discrepancies in the interpretation of requirements or due to opposing interests between the parties.
Environmental impacts due to poor resource management and low awareness of sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
These and other challenges associated with supervising construction projects require proactive management to ensure projects are completed in a timely, efficient, satisfactory and safe manner. To this end, the adoption of new technologies on the job site allows real estate developers, investors, managers, supervisors and workers to monitor and manage the progress of a construction project in real time.
This implementation of technology in construction collects data and analyzes project performance, as well as facilitate quick and informed decision-making through accessible and understandable reporting systems that allow all parties to understand information quickly and effectively, regardless of their technical level, through the use of visual, quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods that ensure that all interested parties are in tune with the conditions and realities of the project.
Complete Understanding of the Scope with BIM
The Implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in projects seeks to facilitate collaboration between all parties by providing a comprehensive and detailed view of the asset to be built that facilitates early problem detection, coordination between teams, informed decision making and construction project execution planning.
The design developed in BIM can be applied in conjunction with Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality technology to create digital spaces that allow simulating different scenarios and clarifying the scope of the project and what corresponds to each actor, allowing more accurate and efficient supervision of the entire project life cycle.
Furthermore, this integration not only provides a detailed visual representation of the project, but also allows all interested parties better understand the scope and requirements of the project from the beginning. This helps avoid misunderstandings and discrepancies in the interpretation of project requirements, which in turn improves coordination and collaboration between the teams involved.
Visual Evaluations without Filters with 360° Photographic Reports and Point Clouds
Visual transparency is essential in project supervision. Currently, the majority of methods to achieve this vision are through photographic reports and regularly scheduled site visits. However, most of the time, one-way photos tend to omit or hide parts that you don't want the client to see; and when it is known that a site visit will be carried out, it is organized, cleaned and adapted in order to simulate a reality different from the one in the project.
A key paradigm shift to overcome the limitations of traditional photographs and scheduled visits, as well as provide a complete and detailed view of the work, is through the capture of 360° photographic images of the site, which can be obtained from cameras, cell phones and/or drones,and surveys using point clouds, which can be obtained from laser scanners and/or drones.
These images and surveysThey not only document progress, but offer a complete and unrivaled view of the quality of execution, eliminating any possibility of hiding or omitting information. An example of the visual transparency that a 360° visualization can provide can be seen below: 360° survey
These types of surveys are not only an effective tool for project control by having a comprehensive vision that can be preserved as a historical record of what was built, but they also become a valuable advertising material in real estate commercial management, providing a more detailed immersive experience for clients that generates trust and demonstrates a commitment to honesty in the presentation of the property throughout the construction process, thus generating differentiation in the market with an innovative technological and quality-oriented approach.
Detailed Quantitative Assessments with Key Indicators
Key Indicators provide a quantitative assessment of project performance that allows you to objectively measure and evaluate various aspects of the project and the fulfillment of the goals, which facilitates informed decision making and early identification of potential problems, allowing stakeholders to take proactive and strategic measures to avoid impacts on time, cost, quality and safety.
Key indicators can cover a wide range of metrics, these can be classified into functional areas of the project. Some examples are:
Key Indicators to Measure Design in Construction Projects
Requests for Information (RFI's) Open (On time, expired) vs Closed and their percentage of Attention.
Additive and Deductive Change Orders (O.C.) by project topics.
Proposals (Submittals) Open (On time, due) vs Closed and their Attention percentage.
Design Package Delivery (Transmittals)
Progress in the documentation of changes (Redlines and/or As-Built).
Key Indicators to Measure Planning in Construction Projects
Procurement of materials, machinery and labor.
Progress by contract, front and/or subcontractor vs. what was planned.
Preparation and anticipation of activities.
Restrictions and their release.
Commitment levels.
Variation of milestones.
Key Indicators to Measure Execution in Construction Projects
Use of general machinery by the Cost Center.
Labor Productivity.
Compliance with commitments.
Reasons for Non-Compliance.
Key Indicators to Measure Control in Construction Projects
Human Resources such as Current Workforce, Absenteeism and Staff Turnover.
Administration such as Plan vs. Actual Budget and Operational Profitability.
Of Acquisitions as the Service Level.
Quality such as test results, attention to non-conformities and level of customer satisfaction.
Safety such as Incidents, Stoppages and Accidents.
By collecting and analyzing quantitative data on these aspects of the project, stakeholders can identify trends, detect deviations from established objectives and take corrective action in a timely manner. This objective measurement is essential to ensure effectiveness and efficiency in the supervision of construction projects.
To enable objective and accurate measurement of project progress and performance, there must be security, confidentiality and integrity of data, ensuring that sensitive information is safeguarded and accessible for viewing and/or editing only to those authorized. This meticulous attention not only meets standards, but also strengthens trust in the entire work team.
Detailed Qualitative Evaluations with Plus and Delta Analysis
Plus and Deltas analysis is a technique used to evaluate project performance by identifying which aspects are working well (Plus) and which areas could be improved (Deltas). The inclusion of these qualitative comments in project supervision is essential, since they aim to understand the complexities behind the visual reports and the results of the indicators; as well as addressing issues outside the execution of the project in a more holistic and proactive way.
The positive aspects of the project, or Plus, are those areas that are meeting or exceeding expectations and positively contributing to the success of the project. Some examples may be:
Operating efficiency: “Effective management of resources has allowed for constant progress and timely achievement of milestones.”
Transparency and Communication: “The implementation of digital platforms has improved communication, keeping everyone informed in a clear and timely manner.”
Adaptability to Changes: “Flexibility in planning has allowed effective adjustments in response to unforeseen changes.”
Quality of Execution: “Regular inspections have ensured that each phase of the project meets established quality standards.”
On the other hand, the areas of improvement, or Deltas, are those that present opportunities to optimize project performance and achieve better results.Some examples may be:
Internal communication: “The lack of coordination between departments has led to misunderstandings in the implementation of certain aspects of the project.”
Risk Management: “The lack of a robust contingency plan has led to delays in resolving unexpected issues.”
Customer experience: “The lack of constant feedback has left clients feeling disconnected from the progress of the project.”
Staff training: “Lack of training has led to avoidable errors in certain technical aspects.”
This approach not only seeks to punish a visual detail or data out of parameter, but also strives to identify the root cause and propose comprehensive solutions; as well as celebrate the achievements of the work team, its registration and storage in information systems is key to knowing, understanding and relating antecedents, paving the way to proper accountability, project success, and stakeholder satisfaction.
Digital Supervision: Certainty and Efficiency
Digital Monitoring and Supervision of Projects redefine project control, providing all project parties with a comprehensive platform to monitor and evaluate execution progress.
By leveraging new technologies and ways of working based on Lean work methods, teams can improve efficiency, accuracy and safety in the workplace, and achieve outstanding results on their projects. While there are challenges and considerations to take into account, such as costs, training, and integrating systems and equipment into this new way of operating, the potential for digital monitoring to drive innovation and success in construction is undeniable.
With innovative approaches, accessible systems, new visual perspectives, detailed key indicators and new ways of understanding results, we can ensure success and confidence throughout the entire project lifecycle. Those who embrace these technologies effectively will be best positioned to lead the industry and meet the challenges of the future with confidence.
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About Pablo Tellaeche (Author):
Owner and main consultant of TACs Consultores, Speaker and University Professor; seeks to bring a true and positive Lean Culture and Digital Transformation to every company with which he has the pleasure of collaborating.
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