It must be said clearly: The construction industry has long lagged behind in technological development.

With some exceptions, such as structural calculation programs or certain design tools, the techniques used for planning, scheduling, budgeting, and building projects have remained largely unchanged for decades. Most construction processes still rely on basic software that performs operational tasks but fails to integrate the various stakeholders in the process.

Today, most construction projects face the same issues that those of us who started in the industry 40 years ago experienced:

• Cost estimates that often deviate from the original budget.
• Incomplete architectural plans with many uncertainties, especially in the details, which must be resolved on-site as the project progresses—often requiring demolition and reconstruction of already completed work.
• Overly ambitious schedules without accurate productivity assessments, leading to extended project timelines.
• Deficient technical designs that fail to account for clashes or conflicts between different systems, which are only discovered during construction—often at highly inconvenient moments.
• Incomplete bidding documents (both public and private), leading to contractor disputes and claims.

These problems are so common that they have become the subject of frequent jokes, such as:

“If you want to know the real cost of a project, hire two independent firms to prepare budgets, and instead of comparing them—just add them together!”

Or the well-known belief that the delivery time for a building will always be delayed, sometimes even doubling the original estimate.

A colleague once said that every time we start a new project, we “reinvent the wheel”—referring to our industry’s failure to capitalize on past experiences and apply them to future projects.

However, this is finally starting to change, thanks to emerging technologies that are rapidly transforming the sector.

BIM: The Most Important Technological Revolution

The most significant breakthrough is BIM (Building Information Modeling)—a collaborative system that integrates all project designs (architectural, structural, plumbing, electrical, and special installations) into a single 3D model. This digital twin of the future building enables teams to detect design clashes, missing details, and necessary modifications before construction even begins.

With BIM, project teams can resolve conflicts during the planning phase, making design adjustments before work starts. This ensures a fully buildable project, leading to more accurate budgets and schedules.

BIM is not just for planning—it also plays a crucial role in project control during construction. Real-time 3D comparisons between the original plans and the actual progress allow for quicker decision-making and adjustments, significantly reducing errors and rework.

BIM Benefits:

✔ Detects and resolves issues before they occur on-site, reducing delays and improving coordination.
✔ Minimizes rework, leading to faster construction and earlier project delivery.
✔ Enhances accuracy and efficiency, optimizing costs and reducing unexpected expenses.
✔ Reduces uncertainty for investors and stakeholders, improving project predictability.

Complementary Technologies Driving the Future of Construction

In addition to BIM, other cutting-edge technologies are transforming the industry:

• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning – These tools analyze data from past projects to improve future planning and decision-making.
• 3D Printing – Allows for the rapid, cost-effective construction of buildings using specialized printing technology.
• Augmented Reality (AR) – Provides immersive visualizations of designs before construction, improving understanding and collaboration.

These innovations signal a radical transformation in the construction sector. Those who fail to adopt them will quickly fall behind.

The Rapid Growth of BIM

Although BIM was first conceptualized in the 1970s, and Archicad (the first BIM software) was launched in 1980, its adoption has skyrocketed only in the last decade.

As of February 2024, major construction firms have fully integrated BIM teams, moving away from traditional 2D designs. Public tenders increasingly require BIM technology in their specifications.

However, small and medium-sized firms lag behind due to high software licensing costs, primarily from Autodesk, the industry leader.

To address this, a global community of developers is working on Open BIM—an open-source alternative that eliminates licensing fees, potentially making this technology more accessible to all.

Welcome to the Future of Construction!

Finally, the industry is catching up with technology. It’s about time!