Digital In Construction, How Can We Be Ready For It?

The Construction Industry of Singapore has been recently introduced to the Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) process as announced by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) on the 24th of October 2017. The IDD is one of the initiatives that support the suggestions in the Construction Industry Transformation Map (ITM) to power the construction industry of Singapore into the modern world, keeping its competitiveness and relevance. As one of the 23 sectors identified to develop its own ITM, it is set to see a sea change in the processes, technologies used, thought-leadership, and even the syllabus taught in the Institute of Higher Learnings (IHLs).

There are also many dimensional uses of technologies and software and the IDD is encouraging the sharing of information using cloud-based technologies to enhance collaboration between parties. Many articles have been published on:

The use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and all its different dimensions such as 4D - on time and scheduling, 5D - on Cost Management, 6D - on Asset Management and 7D - on Simulations;

Coupling peripheral technologies such as using Drones for inspections;

Virtual, Mixed, Immersive and Augmented Reality for visualization and the “touch and feel” in the virtual world;

Computational Science which uses programming languages to optimize designs and even solve design challenges; and,

The adoption of more Sustainable Practices and Green Building Design.

Figure 1: BIM’s 4D Time Liner Simulation - Showing construction program in progress

These advances in the Digital World will bring more and more transformation to the industry and it will place Singapore competitively amongst international economies. Coupled with home-grown talents in design and management systems, Singapore companies can now work overseas seamlessly and compete in design and engineering know-how efficaciously. There is also an aim to have more than 80,000 personnel trained in IDD, Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), and Green Buildings, and this effort will create a base of skilled individuals to tackle industry challenges that digital construction could bring about.

Figure 2: Computational Design in Architectural and Master Planning

Some exciting thought-leadership would surface in any discussion when it comes to IDD or the ITM, which could include the following:

The Social Aspect of Technology and Process Adoption

Figure 3: From White Board to Smart Board Collaboration

Any change in process and technology adoption would require a well-thought-out plan for change management. Switching from 2D CAD to BIM has already caused a major paradigm shift and now, with the introduction of using cloud-based software, there is a need to thoroughly question what processes would be changed, why the need for change and how can such changes enhance productivity. What are the gaps and the immediate issues that would arise? For instance, if the information is to be kept highly confidential, then there is a need to have in-country cloud-based solutions with N+1 or 2N redundancy systems in-country as opposed to having data centers located outside Singapore.

Figure 4: Challenges Arising from Use of cloud-based Solutions

There will also be a generation that will be accustomed to old technologies and current processes. Consideration has to be given to steadily change the mindset on the use of new technologies and processes. 

Imagine being used to a process for a decade and you are introduced to something new which is supposed to improve efficiencies. There will be an immediate barrier to change and adoption, hence a coaching mindset and programmed change management are needed.

Figure 5: Need for Change Management Framework in place

Top management support and the use of coaching mindsets are therefore important ingredients to create a condition for success for adoption and change. The only constant thing is change, hence there is a need for constant change management. The Need for New Thought-Leadership in Design

Due to the use of the technologies and processes in IDD, clients and developers will have better choices and options to look at and virtually “see” using VR. This provides an excellent opportunity for designers to showcase their design considerations taking into account financial, technical, and product development parameters. The firm that will give the best value solution with the best options and design, will get the job. This can be done efficiently and effectively.

That would also spin a novel design approach to which design has to be carried out with construction in mind, i.e., Construction-Led-Design (CLD). For instance, it is inefficient to design traditionally in one system and have the contractor change it in his design proposal for DfMA. It will certainly prove costly. Another paradigm shift would be the need to design with DfMA principles. It is foreseeable that design in the future will be from an array of BIM catalogs that will be published in an open-source for designers to download, exchange information, and improve specifications of materials.

Figure 6: Robotics in Construction-Led-Design

The design will shift more and more to CLD and developers will quickly realize that in this competitive world of high land prices and the need for quick product-to-market, CLD and DfMA will prove better in yield, rate of returns, and profitability; creating a win-win situation to everyone in the construction team. This will, in turn, improve the value-add in productivity that is measured by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), corresponding to the physical productivity improvement measured by BCA.

Figure 7: Efficient Plotting of Land Use Via Geographic Information System (GIS)

The Need for Collaboration

The ITM and IDD also called for the need for collaboration, not only in social terms but also in contract terms. Traditional contracts can be adversarial and there can only be one winner whereas collaborative contracts are fairer and have elements of sharing information, working together with a blameless culture. There are several contracts in the world that celebrates this collaboration ethos, contracts like the New Engineering Contract are just one example. Therefore, there will be definite changes in the standard forms used in Singapore.

There will be new roles in the industry, roles that help facilitate collaboration and help to avoid and/or decide on disputes faster so that the project can move on. Here lies a new breed of discipline that requires facilitation cum coaching characteristics that will foster better ties with the project team members. These individuals are not only respected but proficient in contracts, mediation, facilitation, and experienced with foresight on project issues that may become big issues later. They will coerce the team to work together to get a resolution early. Again, another interesting role to watch out for.

There will also be physical changes in meeting rooms and spaces for the meeting. Big Rooms, WAR (Work Action Resolution) Rooms, will be created to facilitate collaboration in BIM and in physical work. Co-location will be commonplace in construction teams, which will enhance the design process simply because everyone is seated together and working together.

It is granted that the design process will be more intensive, equating to increased manpower use for a single project, plus more fees. However, overall, the project will have a better product, be completed on time or earlier, maybe even with cost-savings. There are many tangible and intangible benefits that will arise from such a physical working paradigm in the digital world.