How Real-Time Data in Construction Improves Efficiency on the Job Site

Real-time data in construction is a clear way to improve efficiency on the job site. More software companies are developing ways to get real-time data from the field to the office quickly to improve efficiency. And more construction companies are seeing the value in real-time data and the way they run their companies. Real-time data in location, schedule, personnel, and field information can improve the way the job site functions.

What is Real-Time Data?

More business software claims to have real-time data capabilities to help every business. However, what is real-time data? Real-time data is business data that is relayed to the office or managers in real-time. For a shipping company, they can receive real-time data about packages and drivers using GPS and the individual tracking numbers. They can track when packages leave a facility, which truck they are on, the path the truck takes, and calculate how long until it reaches its destination. For many businesses, real-time data is a way to improve their processes and become more efficient.

It’s the same in construction. Some construction companies will even use the same processes as a shipping company. Because construction companies need to track company vehicles, equipment, labor, time, level of completion, the rate of injury and more. Companies can reduce thefts, recover stolen equipment, reduce non-productive time, and more. And with the increase in integrated software options, construction companies can even reduce the amount of duplicate data entry thereby decreasing overall errors. Using this in the field is an excellent way for construction companies to improve efficiency and streamline their processes.

Real-Time Data in Construction

Construction software companies are taking advantage of the intense processing power of phones and computers to bring real-time data to job sites. Between financial data and labor tracking, there are many areas that real-time data can be used to improve construction.

BIM

Real-time data and BIM (building information modeling) can be used to improve construction. BIM models are realistic 3D computer models that represent the physical characteristics of the project. However, project managers can use BIM as a 4D model. Thereby rendering how the building will survive over time when maintenance needs to be scheduled, and more. One of the benefits of BIM is that the model has associated costs and weights with the individual components.

However, with real-time data, field reports and more, it’s easier to determine how complete a project is. Not only can a BIM model be used to determine how finished a plan is, but it can be used to determine the length of a project. Using available real-time data the back office can track whether a project is going according to schedule or not. Being able to visualize what must be done on a project and the best course of action to complete it will help improve efficiency in construction.

Time Card Data

Now, there are time card solutions that use accurate real-time data to improve worksites. When construction companies use a mobile time solution, they have a lot of up to date that they can pull from to improve efficiency. Mobile time solutions track when someone clocks into work, often they can track where they were when the workers clocked in, and they can associate a cost code to it. This ensures that the back office knows how to bill their time, and if it was non-productive time. If there is a lot of non-productive time on a job site, then the back office and project managers can make adjustments to change that and improve the site.

Location Data

Location data is one of the most common uses of real-time data. In construction, it is a way to ensure the safe return of any stolen equipment, but can be used for a variety of things. Real-time location data can be used to determine where equipment is, when combined with scheduling data it’s easier for construction companies to ensure that the right equipment will be at the right site. Location tracking data can also be used to track workers. This can be especially important when performing work when it’s dark. Since this can help ensure that all the workers that were on the site are reported for and prevent injured parties from being left.

Tech companies are working on combining fall detectors with location data to better find any injured party. This can later be used to prevent further injuries on the site.

The value it has to construction is just starting to be known. These new emerging fields are proving that real-time data can improve job site efficiency.