Author: Laura Black

Get ready. Because Gen Z is coming—and in some cases they are already flooding the workforce. These people were born between the years 1997 and 2012, and today they are aged roughly 12-27 years old. In her book, Sustainable in a Circular World, Peggy coined them a generation of Screeners. Today, let’s unpack who they are—and how they might help build the next era of infrastructure, homes, and buildings. Who Is Gen Z? We have written much about the younger generations here on this blog before, but the reality is getting to know them takes more time and effort than…

Data analytics. AI (artificial intelligence). Machine learning. Cloud. Edge. There are so many technologies that are reshaping technology in the construction industry. Today, let’s look at how new technologies are impacting ERP (enterprise resource planning) and accounting. What’s Next for Accounting Construction accounting software can help construction professionals in several ways. It can track key financial data such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, and more. The value here is it houses all the data in one place and makes it easier to make decisions. The global construction accounting software market is expected to grow from $1.1 billion in…

With a worker shortage, complex projects, tight deadlines, new regulations, and a greater need for resiliency and sustainability, the construction industry has big tasks to tackle. The only way to approach most of these hurdles is with the right technology in hand. Enter the Internet of Things. At its core, the IoT (Internet of Things) is a collection of sensors and microcontrollers connected to a network where data can move between devices. We can connect homes, buildings, cities, fleets, and so much more. In construction, in particular, the IoT presents an interesting opportunity, as the technology can provide three big…

For several decades, BIM (building information modeling) has served as a means and method to collect data and share it with the project team. Here at Constructech, we have always said BIM is a collaborative process to connect time (4D), cost (5D), sustainability (6D), and facilities management (7D), and it is enabled by technologies. Today, let’s look at how BIM has evolved, so it can better inform where we are today. The History of BIM The concept of BIM dates back to the 1970s, with the BDS (Building Description System) and GLIDE, which offered enhanced visualization and estimation, but limited…

The construction industry is facing an uphill battle in many ways: a labor shortage, more complex projects, and the need to complete projects faster and on budget. The pressures continue to mount, and technology can help. Perhaps one of the greatest places technologies can help construction is in the field using construction management software. Market Growth The construction management software market is anticipated to grow, according to Mordor Intelligence, at a rate of 9.33% from 2024 through 2029, rising from $9.73 billion to $15.20 billion. This type of technology can help track budgets, estimates, material costs, labor activities, communication, and…

On Aug. 1, 2007, just after 6pm, the Interstate 35W over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minn., collapsed. It took 111 vehicles and 13 lives. The collapse also injured 145 people. The NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) ultimately determined the probable cause of the collapse was the inadequate load capacity, due to a design error. But what if technology could tell us about an error and inadequate load capacity before a collapse occurred? It can. Let’s look at one recent example from Rhode Island. Consider this: The Rhode Island DOT (Dept. of Transportation) is using measurement technology from Kistler to…

Here at Constructech we have been writing about the construction software market for more than two decades, following the ups and downs, the highs and lows, and the big transitions that have happened in the space. From new funding to M&As (mergers and acquisitions), to partnerships, the industry has changed a lot in the past several years. Where are we now? Let’s take a closer look at new trends in the market today. The construction management software market size is estimated at $9.73 billion in 2024, according to Mordor Intelligence. This is anticipated to be up 9.33% by 2029, reaching…

Let’s face it. Construction can be a dangerous industry to work in and the statistics tell a terrifying story. But there are opportunities—opportunities to do things differently with new processes, partnerships, and technologies. The Challenge Earlier this year, Claris Design-Build compiled some interesting statistics that paint a picture of injury in the construction industry. Let’s consider some of these numbers. Every year, 1 in 100 construction workers gets injured severely enough to need time off work. What’s more, construction has the second most workplace deaths, behind only truck driving. Perhaps the most frightening statistics is one in every five workers…

We have all heard the stats: women make up roughly 11% of construction workers and only 4% of skilled trades. We have been citing these numbers here at Constructech for far longer than any of us would like to admit, but the truth is the numbers have stayed stagnant for years. Of course, the 2020 pandemic caused a shakeup for women in the workforce, and it seems we might be headed in the wrong direction. The general labor force numbers from the U.S. BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) tell perhaps the most revealing tale of the tape. And what they…

Generative AI (artificial intelligence) is supposed to heighten productivity, right? Not according to one recent survey. Before we start this blog, let’s preface it with the fact that there is real and true value that generative AI can offer to multiple industries—but we are in the very early stages of it, which means we are still sorting out what it means for businesses. Let’s wade through some of the research to determine how AI is really being used today. Or if gen AI is actually being used? There are many reports out there citing the wide swaths of people who…