Dean said that the technology uptake driven by the Covid-19 pandemic looks set to continue, with digital tools increasingly embedded into business practices.

Experts had already predicted that 2020 would be “a watershed moment” for digital and artificial intelligence uptake in AEC (architecture, engineering and construction), but Dean emphasised that “no one could have predicted” the acceleration caused by the increase in remote working during lockdown.

“Yet, despite all of these changes, digital transformation journeys are far from over,” he said.

“This is just the beginning. More change is needed and now is the time for companies to consider how they’ll thrive and remain competitive in an increasingly turbulent climate.

“This will require the AEC industry, and the businesses operating within it, to create a more holistic approach to the entire asset lifecycle, making technology front and centre of their approach, supporting revenue generation and ensuring continued business success.”

ONS figures show that the volume of construction work undertaken on-site between March and May this year dropped by 2.6% compared to the previous three months. As a result, the year on year rise in output was reduced to 3% overall.

According to Dean, digital transformation “prevented the output being smaller”. New tools introduced during lockdown include work management software, communication applications, consultation tools, and data capture technology.

“At a time when cost reduction was a huge priority and deferment of investments was being discussed in relation to facilities, operations, and the workforce, technology was able to save significant cuts,” Dean said.

With sites reopening, the IHS Markit/CIPS construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI) read 55.3 in June compared to 28.9 in May. Dean attributed this “sharp increase” in construction output to the newly-adopted techniques which allowed work to continue and facilitated new initiatives.

For example, Dean points to mixed-use development Barking Riverside using Sensat’s high-resolution drone data to create an accurate snapshot of the project for the duration of lockdown. Through Sensat’s software, Mapp, the project has been able to take more accurate and regular earthworks quantities, reducing risk and improving cash flow.

Going forward, there will be a need to strike a balance between “previous ways of working and the new digital technologies and assets available”, according to Dean.

“Capturing data in construction nowadays goes far beyond paperwork and spreadsheets, and the benefits can be exponential if harnessed in the right way,” he said.

“In order to effectively use the information being collected, businesses need to make sure they have the correct systems in place to not only collect and structure the information but additionally, translate it into something understandable that can be used in a meaningful way.”

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