The Future of Construction Project Management: Big Data and PMIS
In an era of rapid technological advancement, the construction industry is on the brink of a major transformation. A recent article by British communications provider UKConnect suggests that Project Management Information Systems (PMIS) may be at the center of this wave. They rank "Big Data" as the top technology to impact the construction industry in 2021 and beyond, noting that "Big data can pick out probabilities and patterns of risk, …can determine optimal phasing of activities and improve efficiency.
In an era of rapid technological advancement, the construction industry is on the brink of a major transformation. A recent article by British communications provider UKConnect suggests that Project Management Information Systems (PMIS) may be at the center of this wave. They rank "Big Data" as the top technology to impact the construction industry in 2021 and beyond, noting that "Big data can pick out probabilities and patterns of risk, …can determine optimal phasing of activities and improve efficiency."
As we continue to integrate new technologies into construction projects, we're also generating vast amounts of data.
The question then becomes:
How can we most effectively harness its power? This is where a robust PMIS becomes crucial.
The Importance of PMIS in Construction
A PMIS is defined as a tool or series of tools that provide a methodical process for collecting and using project data to more effectively manage projects. In the construction industry, where margins are thin and efficiency is paramount, PMIS systems are becoming increasingly important.
Construction executives need real-time visibility into project performance and risk. Information about cost, schedule, and quality enables thousands of decisions throughout a project's lifecycle. The better the information, the better the decisions made will be. Without a successful PMIS, project managers are often left juggling disconnected spreadsheets and documents, leading to wasted time and money.
The Need for Adaptable PMIS
With the rapid pace of technological change, construction owners and contractors need to reassess their current PMIS environment. The most successful organizations will prepare by adopting a PMIS that allows for rapid application development to address new processes and unplanned changes.
We're likely to see a shift from "Software as a Service" to "Platform as a Service" models, as these can better accommodate the need for rapid advancement and customization in construction project management.
Security Considerations
As new types of data are integrated into construction projects, security concerns will become increasingly important. Owners and contractors need to ensure that their systems for sharing information are as secure as they need to be to handle sensitive project data.
Embracing the Opportunity
The pandemic and the US government's plan to restart the economy with infrastructure construction projects have created incredible incentives for improving our use of technology. This presents a moment of opportunity for the construction industry. Those who embrace these technological advancements will gain a significant competitive advantage, while those who resist change may find themselves struggling to catch up.
Introducing ZentroQ: The Future of Construction Project Management
At ZentroQ, we understand the challenges facing the construction industry and the immense potential of big data and advanced analytics. Our powerful analytics platform ingests data from HCSS Heavy Job module, providing heavy construction project managers with real-time insights that transform raw data into actionable intelligence.
Key features of ZentroQ include:
Critical Action Center for real-time visibility into high-risk areas of the project
Real-time HCSS data ingestion via APIs
Customizable dashboards with real-time metrics and KPIs
Advanced analytics for improved forecast accuracy and productivity analysis
Early Warning System to detect potential issues before they escalate
Financial integration for streamlined reporting and forecasting