How can Big Data Analytics transform the construction industry?

​Overview
Big Data since its emergence in the construction industry has brought significant changes from safety to productivity. Areas of the construction industry where Big Data can be useful include resource tracking and management, improving the decision-making processes, budgeting and costing, and reducing project risks. The construction industry is known for waste, poor productivity and rework. Yet the industry has been slow to embrace new technology.

Big data has given a positive impact to the construction industry and reduced the cost of waste and remedial work, thus boosting the profit margins of construction companies. Many companies are trying to change their business model to adopt big data technology.

The earlier scenario of the construction industry storing data was complicated as everything stored was on paper and filed once the project was completed. Construction now has a surplus of data but lacks a good tool and algorithms to process the data properly. Big data as the name suggests uses the large amount of data and analyzes and implements it in the right manner.

Technology such as drones, wearables, smartphone sensors on job site, and GPS systems are evolving in construction with collaboration of Big Data Analytics, which can store data easily and can access it from anywhere. When big data is merged with machine learning systems the future outcome can result in competitive advantages to the construction industry as data collected can be processed and analyzed for future estimation and bidding.

Data collected such as tracking data of workers through smart technologies, tracking of material and equipment through sensors, etc. must be captured in a structured way to make the data easily analyzed by right systems.
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Data is collected from an internal and external source such as labor hours, material used, daily production, operational data, and more. BIM Clash Detection Services data is collected and construction data for scheduling task and logistics data. 

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Changes that Big Data can bring in the Construction Industry

Big Data in the construction industry has brought some changes that aid in the overall productivity of the construction process.

It enhances productivity: - Big Data aids in improving productivity in the process of construction projects. To make the job site more effective, wasted time in moving materials, people and equipment around the project site can be reduced. Technologies such as drones and wearable devices can be used here along with big data to track the materials or things that are moving about the construction site. Workers can be tracked and supervised through technology and this data can be beneficial to reorganize the site to make tools and materials more accessible to them. It will ultimately help the workers to perform their tasks better. As productivity is increased risk is reduced and construction companies can maximize their ROI on the project.

Creates effective Budget estimates: - Construction companies can leverage the major benefit provided by Big Data to improve planning of material, process flow, software to be used, etc. With data captured on the allocation of resources, construction processes and safety measures it can help to save construction costs and enable contractors to have a better idea about the costs to be used and the schedule of tasks performed. 5D BIM Services helps construction companies calculate the budget estimates on the material used, workers and their safety measures and more.

Safety Management: - Safety on the job site is of the utmost concern for construction companies where Big Data is helping them to improve their best work practices. Once data is adequately collected and analyzed it can reduce the risk of accidents. It helps the implementation of changes to ensure safety risk is minimal for all workers. Software that the construction companies use here must be chosen carefully as it helps to monitor the workplace environments, materials, equipment, etc. that may lead to risk.

Reduces project risks: - Some variables such as weather conditions, material quality, communication among the workers, etc. used by the construction companies can often be out of the control of managers and workers. Construction companies can simulate project risk and mitigate them before construction work begins. It can lead to reducing the chances of having accidents and injuries on the job site.

Make better decisions: - Big Data Analytics often help construction companies to improve business decisions. Collecting the correct data and the right people can transform and give better insights into construction projects. Through data, construction companies can be more informed allowing for quicker decisions. Big Data also helps in project management software.

Make everyone stay connected: - All the construction trades can stay connected all the time through technologies and can access data from it and update real-time projects any time. Virtual meetings conducted between construction trades helps them to communicate easily and at any time.

Conclusion
Big Data Analytics will become an important tool in the construction industry in the coming years as it helps companies capture, collect, and analyze data in a more structured manner, so that all the construction professionals involved in any project can plan the process, safety measures of their workers, material allocation to eliminate wastage, and ensure communication with team members at any time and update real-time data of the project in the software used. It helps to make better and quicker decisions along with reducing the project risk that can delay construction work.
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Author Bio
Vishakha Jadav is a Content Writer & editor at Tesla Outsourcing Services. She has a knack for writing about construction news, technology trends, and numerous services. Tesla is a BIM & CAD Outsourcing Company that works with clients globally to cater to them with reliable BIM Services, CAD Services, Point Cloud to BIM Services & 3D Rendering Services.

Want to read more construction management tips and insights? Read 'Construction Project Management: Tips and Insights' by Paul Netscher

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