There has been much talk about big

data in recent years. Various

So what is the story behind big data? Billions and billions of years ago (or more like a decade)
mankind was faced with a problem. There was too much data in the world and technology was
progressing at an unbelievable pace. The world was generating floods of data on a regular basis
which kept on accumulating. In short, we had a surplus amount of data in our hands but no good
tools and algorithms to process it.

So big data, as the name implies, is the use of large amounts of data that can be analysed and
implemented in a meaningful way. Now that we have algorithms and tools at our disposal, we use
these huge bits of information (Big Data) to improve on various things. Let’s take a moment to look
at what is it being used for.

What is it used for?

Predicting Market Trends

One of the most fundamental uses of big data has been the improved ability to predict market
trends. Predictive Analytics has taken a turn for the better as large quantities of data provide a
better estimation. According to Predictive Analytics Today various tools such as SAS are being
extensively used in order to effectively forecast markets.

Understanding customer preferences

We all know the rule about knowing your customers. Big data has made knowing your customers a
much easier task.

Processing of data yields insights into the minds of the consumers. We can identify what they prefer,
what they avoid and what they need. Any and all kinds of feedback is easily converted into
valuable insights.

Optimising business processes

One cannot say enough about business optimization and waste management. It is a need in every
business to create optimized work processes in every task, and thereby reduce waste. Big data
allows organizations to improve their work processes by keeping track of records, perform data
analysis, and implement improvements.
In an article, World Oil elaborates on cost reduction due to the implementation of big data
technologies. Various companies in the oil, gas and construction industry can hugely benefit from
these changes.

The effective use of digital technologies can reduce cost expenditures to up to 20% and cut
upstream by 3-5%

How to use big data in construction

Big data has entered construction and it’s here to stay. In the course of the last years, the building
sector has made significant progress in regard to big data tech. The following are the main ways in
which big data has helped the industry so far:

Keep track of time and better management

Organisations can monitor time and avoid delays with project management software that processes
data in real time. This has allowed various contractors and construction managers to better monitor
production and stick to schedules. According to an article by MarTech, 60% of each workday, data
managers spend on finding and managing data.

Geo-location services have allowed workers to keep track of machinery and monitor the usage of
available resources. This can then be used to identify work processes and reduce waste. These
changes may seem small and insignificant but these factors on a collective level have a huge impact
on resources, budget and cost. In short, big data can provide construction with the opportunity to
remove a decades-long image of a slow industry replace it with efficiency.

Accurate budget estimates

With knowledge comes the ability of better planning. With better planning comes the possibility of
improved budget estimates and a superior understanding of costs and timelines.

More data analysed leads to more insights that can be very valuable for contractors and managers.
Hence, big data is creating powerful managers that are using the tools at their disposal very
skillfully.

Lower project risks

In construction nothing is predictable. Most of the managers and contractors may have to deal with
bad quality materials, tough weather conditions and mishaps of any kind. This is where simulation
comes to play. With more data, better variables and scenarios can be created on simulation tools
which can eventually reduce project risks.
More insights, no matter how small, can have a rippling effect and bring changes that can truly
make a big difference. These differences and insights from the right data type can lead to lower
project risks.

Make the right choice

If you combine big data tools with the right qualified people you can bring more insight to the
projects. Ultimately leading to a more information-driven decision with regards to construction.
Managers then have the advantage of making the right call with the right type of information at
hand.

According to Forbes, construction is an industry where 35% of the costs are accounted for by
remedial work and material waste.
One of the most significant changes in the construction industry has been the development of
project management software due to big data tech. With real-time project management software,
managers and contractors tend to make decisions faster and inform relevant parties in real time.

Technological change in the construction industry

Once considered an archaic industry, the construction world is going through a rapid shift. Various
entities have made it their mission to bring modernisation to this industry. At the moment,
technology is driving a shift in order to improve efficiency, lower costs and manage waste.
Optimization of each and every work process from communication to development has been
evolving the industry as we speak. Let’s look at a few things that have brought about major changes
and plan to do more.

From paper blue print to BIM

The traditional method of building design, construction specs and other pesky details have been
moved to a modern system called Building Information Modelling (BIM). It’s a much talked about
topic and contractors and managers are finding a lot of benefit in BIM tech.

According to NBS, 70% of the participants believe cost reduction in the building/ maintenance of
the project will be realized.
On its own BIM tech has also evolved over time from 3D to 4D and to the latest one 5D. Progress
such as these benefit construction workers in planning, budgeting and much more.

From in-person meeting to virtual meeting rooms

Big data has crossed location boundaries. Internet and the development of technologies have made
it possible to create virtual meeting rooms and ultimately beat geographical limitations. People can
 work remotely and be updated on projects in real-time. Issues and problems can be fixed as soon as
they are identified.

Want to know more? How to know when you need real-time project management software

In construction, off-site construction workers can have meeting with managers without a problem
and provide updates. Project management software has paved the way to easy communication
without delays.

From chaotic paper-intensive management to project management software

There is a reason why the construction industry has had a reputation of being very slow and late at
delivering projects. Managers and construction workers used to follow the traditional paper-
intensive management system that created the following problems:

 Communication bottlenecks – Information flow was fragmented and delayed which resulted in
project halts and delays.
 Budget overruns that resulted in projects halting midway.
 Awful decision making that resulted in high costs and resource allocation.
 Historical records were a nightmare to go through which decreased efficiency.

It becomes clear, then, that one of the most significant and promising changes in the construction
industry has been the arrival of big data that has allowed construction workers to be informed
about changes, problems and delays in real-time.

Real-time project management software brings order in an industry that has been in an upheaval
for decades.

From one man’s role to collaboration

Previously, there was a single person in charge of all the data and information. The roles and tasks
were divided and one person had to go through the data to create insights, to find work flow
problems and make decisions. With the arrival of big data tech the tables have turned and now it’s
a collaboration. Decisions can be made with insights and contribution from all.

The future of Big Data in construction

It is clear that the changes made by big data have functioned as a catalyst for change in
construction. But more technological developments are yet to come. There will be a time where
pen and paper practices will be long forgotten and the construction industry, like the rest of them,
will be a modern and more tech savvy industry with serious focus on data and digital solutions.