The word collaboration conjures up images of teamwork and company-wide town hall meetings. For technology, it might mean the connection of systems or a combination of software offerings. However, that was then, and this is now; in the 21st century, collaboration takes a new meaning that encapsulates the entire construction lifecycle.
From concept to completion, a number of actors and stakeholders are involved in the construction process. From the developers that initiate the idea and the architects that design to the very moment that ground is broken, the need for collaboration is necessary. For true collaboration to occur, everyone who touches the project and all of its moving parts must be in sync. To complicate things further, these moving parts need much more than to be coordinated—they need to be managed. Thus, the onus of collaboration is on executives who are ultimately in charge of the structure and workflow.
The push for collaboration and the actual practice of it is a different matter. For instance, while words such as teamwork and partnership may be used, it is not always an easy alliance. Architects, developers, owners and contractors all vie for the top spot in a project, creating delays in project delivery. Poor coordination is the main culprit when it comes to successfully collaborating. Luckily, there are increasing ways technology is providing solutions to the collaboration challenge.
Trends in Collaboration
Blockchain
For the past few years, blockchain has been touted as the answer to ensuring trust in the construction space due to increased transparency. Blockchain is being used in everything from integrated project insurance to labor. For instance, Keepsite is a platform that reimagines the portfolio process for professionals in construction who work on a project-to-project basis with different companies. They aim to use blockchain to help improve their digital portfolios. The allure of blockchain is that it will increase the ability to work together because of a shared public database.
Virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR)
The ability to provide virtual walk throughs or to enhance current data knowledge is also believed to increase collaboration. Fuzor promotes increased communication due to a VR and AR option that provides real-time access to jobsites. Currently, VR and AR are mostly used to allow designers to visualize the space they will be working in, but there is growing interest furthering integrated VR.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI is being employed in the construction industry mainly for machine learning (pattern recognition) and machine vision (image recognition). Currently, the main AI projects are in the area of safety and equipment. However, as AI becomes more sophisticated, it will be able to help in areas of planning and monitoring where collaboration is most prevalent.
Ironically, one of the biggest trends in collaboration has nothing to do with technology and everything to do with leadership. Many executives are making way for genuine collaboration by creating company values and cultures that put collaboration in the center of their work.
Software Solutions
As trends develop, construction software is flourishing and producing powerful tools to insure collaboration. Software offerings allow people to create custom workflows that go across systems. Single database platforms allow for continuous collaboration since the intended data can be accessed by each project team member in real time. This is the best form of collaboration since everyone uses the same tools so that data integrity is guaranteed.
For example, CMiC provides a cohesive single database platform along with a collaboration portal where all project stakeholders can communicate and share, create, and update project information including drawing sets and documents. Collaborators, such as subcontractors, can to enter an RFI and have it seamlessly routed to the appropriate individuals for an answer. This approach reduces response time and increases efficiency.
Successful Collaboration
Given the naturally competitive nature of construction landscape, thinly veiled adversarial relationships have been the status quo. However, with the rise of globalization, demand, risk and a shift in client/consumer mindset, collaboration has become a necessity. Forward-thinking executives have embraced this by building strategic alliances, adopting technology and supporting a global workforce. For collaboration to be successful, open communication in real time must be the foundation. Whether large or small scale endeavors, democratization must be present, which means that everyone involved in the project has access to information.
The challenge of collaboration can be solved with the direction and leadership of construction executives who set the tone for their companies. Executives can determine whether collaboration is used in name only or if it is an earnest effort at creating a genuine partnership. In moving toward joint ventures instead of competition, companies can use their core competencies to establish synergistic project deliveries.
