Take a closer look at any construction project today, and you’ll find no shortage of technology. However, all too often, that technology focuses on optimizing individual tasks. An estimator uses software for bids, a surveyor uses equipment for layout, and the list goes on. 

What was once a collection of disconnected technology and processes is rapidly evolving into a connected ecosystem where data flows seamlessly from the office to the field and back again throughout the project lifecycle. For modern contractors, understanding and embracing this connected approach isn’t just about adopting new tools; it’s about rethinking how projects are executed, from start to finish, and understanding the benefits a connected jobsite brings contractors and their operations. From reduced costs and safer working conditions, to improved collaboration and more efficient project execution, connected construction technologies are necessary for contractors to effectively compete in today’s increasingly competitive economy. 

CONNECTED CONSTRUCTION IN PRACTICE

From tools in the office that support bidding, design, financial management, and scheduling to field-based tools that drive execution and maintenance, connected digital workflows can enhance project delivery, jobsite safety, and overall efficiency. Below are a few of the top technology solutions that contractors should consider implementing.

Estimating: Winning the bid is just the beginning. When connected, initial estimates directly inform project budgets, field logs, schedules, and project management systems, they help establish a consistent data baseline from the very outset. By feeding job cost and production data back into the estimating system, the loop between the field and the office closes, and estimators can move from educated guesses to data-driven confidence when bidding future projects. 

Design and Pre-Construction: Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the digital backbone of a connected project. Three-dimensional models and supporting data bring together architectural, structural, material, and MEP information for visualization, quantity takeoff, clash detection, collaboration, and much more. With a connected workflow, any design changes are immediately propagated across the model and accessible to all team members, preventing outdated information from leading to errors. The data is used both upstream and downstream throughout the project and after its completion for maintenance and operations. 

Field Operations: As the project moves to the physical jobsite, technology and connected workflows continue to play a vital role. For example, 3D laser scanners capture highly accurate point cloud data of existing conditions or construction progress. The point cloud data can be compared to the 3D models to verify accuracy, detect problems, and track progress. Robotic total stations and GNSS-enabled survey rovers, driven by design data from the model, ensure precise and efficient layout of foundations, walls, utilities, and more. Field teams can access design files directly from their devices, ensuring everyone is working from the most updated and accurate information.

Information gathered in the field via survey rovers or machines equipped with SIM cards can be sent to the office. In the office, 3D models are updated based on this data and then sent back to the machines and survey rovers for execution. 

Specialized software to manage equipment maintenance and resource scheduling also help companies take a proactive approach to maintenance and get the right resources to the right place at the right time. Connectivity between those two systems maximizes coordination between equipment deployment and maintenance, minimizing downtime, disruptions, and costs.

Project Management: A connected workflow provides project managers with access to the information they need to track progress against the master schedule, identify potential delays, make proactive adjustments, and resolve issues quickly. With real-time financial visibility, project managers can monitor budgets, track expenses and labor costs, and manage change orders. Project documents, drawings, Requests for Information (RFIs), and submittals are also centralized and accessible, ensuring that everyone works from the latest versions.

Field data captured from daily logs, machine telematics, and progress photos provides project managers with a holistic view of jobsite performance, enabling them to make data-driven decisions that keep projects on track and within budget.

THE VALUE OF COMMON DATA ENVIRONMENTS 

Most contractors are already using multiple construction technologies across various teams, and the list is only getting longer. Additionally, vendors, subcontractors, project owners, and other stakeholders also bring their own technology stacks. Connecting the data that flows through these solutions is an ongoing challenge, and Common Data Environments (CDEs) play a crucial role in solving it. 

A CDE is the backbone of digital project delivery, providing a centralized way to store, access, and share data related to a construction project. It facilitates information exchange by giving everyone, from surveyors and designers to contractors and project owners, easy access to real-time project data from anywhere, at any time. 

With all the information, people, and processes in motion on any large construction project, it’s important to choose a CDE that does more than simply store information. Some CDEs provide more functionality than others, creating a single source of truth about each project that allows stakeholders to extract greater value from their data. 

With the right CDE, contractors can: 

  • Democratize data by easily providing stakeholders with the right data at the right time to make informed, better, and faster decisions.
  • Layer various types of construction data together to provide stakeholders with different levels of information, depending on their job type or project need. 
  • Maintain the quality of their data, regardless of which program was used to build the original model, and which systems various team members use to make revisions.
  • Extract meaningful insights and drive efficiencies throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Create connections with any number of systems—from Enterprise Resource Planning systems to document management tools with Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
  • Capture only the data that is required for the project and useful to the teams involved. 

A CDE closes the gaps and fosters transparency across teams working collaboratively toward a common goal. When every stakeholder knows which decisions are made, who is making them and why, the results of those decisions are more positive, predictable and profitable.

Adopting construction technologies is no longer a luxury—it’s a strategic necessity. In an industry where margins are tight and timelines are unforgiving, construction technology gives contractors the competitive edge they need to win more work and execute efficiently. 

about the author

Jon Fingland is a vice president and category general manager at Trimble. He has over 20 years of industry experience and has played a pivotal role in Trimble’s connected construction vision. For more, visit www.trimble.com.