Author: Laura Black
Consumers and businesses are expected to generate twice as much data in the next five years as all the data created over the past 10 years. The rise of AI (artificial intelligence) and other technologies will change the way we build homes, cities, and infrastructure. Perhaps the most obvious example of this is at the data center. Data centers are built with different requirements than conventional facilities and may require contractors and operators to plan, design, and allocate power resources based on the type of data processed or stage of generative AI development. Maybe we should look at what comes…
On a construction jobsite, a hard hat has one primary function: to keep a worker’s head safe. With the rise of technology, will a hard hat soon serve more than one function? An announcement from World of Concrete may change things for construction companies. Before we dig into the new announcement, let’s look back. When we talk smart hard hats for construction, many people’s thoughts may first go to DAQRI, which was an AR (augmented reality) company that launched in 2010 with a big vision: to provide an AR smart helmet. The company folded less than a decade later. Here…
The secret to solving the labor shortage in construction is actually pretty simple: find workers. Of course, that is easier said than done for a number of reasons that we will explore here in this blog. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons is that for the past several decades parents have strongly encouraged their children to attend college and ignore a career in the trades. But is this all beginning to change? Let’s take a look at the numbers. What Do Parents Really Want Today? Journey back with me for a minute more than a decade. A 2011 Pew Research…
As I am watching snow blanket the Chicagoland suburbs, I am currently typing these words on a computer in a dark, cold room. The only reason I am able to type these words right now is because my computer has a full battery from being charged earlier this morning. I debated not opening my computer to conserve the battery further, but the reality is this device is rather useless because both my internet and power is out—and I am frustrated. I am frustrated that in today’s modern era we don’t have the infrastructure to maintain power during natural disasters. I…
Perhaps one of the biggest trends we have faced in the past few years—and will continue to face in 2024—is the evolving workplace. The construction industry is certainly unique, as much work is still required to be done in the field. Still, many evolving workplace trends will impact construction just as it will any other industry. In fact, Gartner points to nine workplace predictions to watch in 2024. Let’s unpack each one of these general trends—and identify how it might relate to the construction industry specifically. Consider the cost-of-work crisis. Many companies are coming out of a remote or hybrid…
We are currently in the middle of a blog series, closing out 2023 and opening up 2024, that explores some of the most grandiose predictions from analyst firms, and we are dissecting what this all means for the construction industry. We have already explored sustainability, scheduling and project management, wearables, and generative AI (artificial intelligence), just to name a few. Now, let’s turn our attention to our technology infrastructure and operations and what is to come in the years ahead. Gartner recently unveiled the six trends that will have a significant impact on infrastructure and operations in the next 12-18…
As we inch closer to 2024, one area where we can expect more development and spending is with our nation’s infrastructure. Dodge Construction Network suggests following rapid growth in the past two years, nonbuilding/infrastructure construction will increase by 7% overall and some sub-sectors will even grow by double digits—but what role will technology play? Let’s take a closer look. Due to IIJA (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), and other federal initiatives, most public works will continue to expand in 2024. Dodge predicts all but dams and flood control will rise, since this area already saw spending more than double from…
As we near the end of 2023, it is important to keep an eye on what is coming in 2024. Many organizations study trends in the market and place their wages on whether the construction industry is going to contract or grow in the year ahead. Taking a close look at many of these reports will help companies prepare for business in the year ahead. Consider the example of JLL’s U.S. and Canada Construction Trends 2024 report, which details a positive outlook for the construction industry. The report suggests 2023 has been a year of stabilization and 2024 will be…
As the end of 2023 approaches and the beginning of 2024 nears, we are taking some time to look at some of the most ambitious predictions to have a better idea of where we are headed in the years ahead. Let’s look at one specific report, as it relates to sustainability in many vertical markets including the construction and real estate sector, which comes on the heels of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act passage roughly a year ago, which was meant to kickstart the economy with investments in critical infrastructure, with a special focus on initiatives that will help meet…
One area of construction that is critical to project success is scheduling and project management. As we are on a journey to identify predictions for 2024 and beyond, let’s spend some time at the jobsite to identify some of the biggest trends to recognize what is to come next for the project team. Here’s the reality. We all know technology can help make project sites more efficient and create greater opportunities for all, but is technology being used to the fullest? Unfortunately, the answer is often no, and we have multiple reports that point to this trend. Consider the first…