Horizons Spring/Summer 2021

How Will Things Change? While we have all read the doom and gloom for months on end, let’s dive deeper into some areas the industry is likely to experience change. While there are challenges, those embracing change are certain to find opportunities and learn to thrive. Technology First, with respect to the construction environment, whether you are a local trade contractor in a rural community or a large international E&C player, the marketplace is changing or will change. Will investments in infrastructure to stimulate the economy affect your environment and how can you position yourself to be ready? Increased residents in communities working from home and that changing landscape will lead to change in design and construction, and along with that, create new opportunities (it always does). Technology is an area where we were already seeing changes and the pandemic has led to more. Social distancing strategies and rules relied on technology to keep design, communication, inspections, and other elements of the construction business functioning effectively. While most of us complain occasionally that we would prefer not to have another Zoom meeting ever again, will we take these experiences and turn them into a competitive advantage? Best in class contractors are continuing to develop strategies around technology to enhance their performance, including increased drone usage, thermal cameras,

Increased residents in communities working from home and that changing landscape will lead to change in design and construction, and along with that, create new opportunities.

and bidding and costing software/tools amongst others.

The construction industry as a whole has been long overdue for technological advancement, and the events of the last year or so only add fuel to the fire and have provided real life examples of the need to invest further. The largest industry leaders are paving the way with technology. Do you remember when your boss or leader looked at you and said, “if we are not growing, we are dying?” The same concept holds true with technology. Pre-Fabrication & Modular Construction COVID caused many project teams to consider the number of employees on a project at any point in time. The industry found a way to get work done as safely as possible. Is there a take away here? Of course…remember, even before the pandemic, we have been talking about pre-fabrication and modular construction as a large part of the future for building.

Spring/Summer 2021

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