Construction industry trends | 9 important observations for 2020 Posted on March 10, 2020February 26, 2020 by Border States For job site crews to grow and remain competitive, it’s crucial to stay updated on construction industry trends. Keep reading to learn what changes could be in store for 2020. 9 potential construction industry trends for 2020 More mobile device applications. Smartphones and tablets put limitless information and resources at our fingertips, helping job site professionals become more efficient. The devices can help improve inspections, accountability and accuracy on the job site. Building information modeling (BIM). This technology generates 3D representations of infrastructure, helping crews see structures before they’re done. It helps professionals collaborate on the planning, design and construction of a building within one model. Project management software. It’s especially helpful when it comes to compiling data, sharing files, budgeting, scheduling and documenting within user-friendly platforms. Off-site construction. This involves moving building processes to a controlled environment and assembling material quickly and precisely, so it can arrive at the job site ready to install. Green construction. Some customers are looking to incorporate sustainability into their buildings to be more environmentally friendly. Green construction helps lower a building’s carbon footprint and can sometimes impact health and wellness. Improved safety. Safety is paramount on any job site. There’s now more technology capable of identifying and eliminating common safety issues on the job site. GPS-enabled wearable trackers, for example, can alert supervisors if a worker has fallen or is becoming too tired. Increased efficiency with augmented reality (AR). This involves the use of specialized goggles, glasses or smartphone apps that overlay digital information onto a construction worker’s real-life view, helping to increase productivity, efficiency and safety on the job site. More technological advancements. Some examples include 3D printing, robots, drones, cloud applications and autonomous job site equipment. An ongoing labor shortage. It’s tough to find skilled construction workers these days, especially when the unemployment rate is at historic lows. Improved technology is being used to mitigate this reality and more women have been entering the construction industry. DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this blog post was derived through close industry collaboration. Topics discussed are merely observations on behalf of Border States. Related posts Wellness in architecture | 7 construction trends that foster better health Long lead time | 6 strategies for navigating complex global supply chains
