Category: Construction Management

Quarterly U.S. Put-in-Place Construction Forecasts Report, Winter 2021-2022

To tackle a +6.8% year-over-year CPI inflation rate, the Federal Reserve has stated it will be pursuing QT rather than QE in the year ahead, quantitative tightening rather than easing, and that there may be as many as three upwards adjustments to interest rates. On the residential construction side, the expectation of higher interest rates may counterintuitively speed up groundbreakings for a while as prospective new homeowners try to beat the financing cost increases.


Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.clarkeconstructioncreations.com/?p=1684

How Connected Construction Leads to Proactive Planning and Execution

Construction projects have many moving parts, and managing all those different elements is crucial for project success. One wrong piece of information can create a snowball effect and potentially lead to project teams building off the wrong set of plans resulting in schedule delays, cost overruns, and a loss in morale.

One way to ensure that teams are coordinated and working off the latest data set is connected construction. By connecting and integrating workflows and data, information flows seamlessly from one system to the next, ensuring collaboration across stakeholders. At its core, connected construction connects teams, processes, and information from start to finish across the project’s lifecycle.

 

The Role of Connected Construction in Infrastructure 

Andrew Pangallo, Major Projects Construction Manager with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is charged with managing the $2 Billion I-69 Finish Line Corridor project. A once in a generation type project that spans nearly 30 miles and includes 70 bridges. With a grand project such as this, connected construction plays an integral part to ensure that teams can collaborate and work effectively to meet deadlines and produce an exceptional infrastructure asset for the people of Indiana. 

To better understand how Andrew defines connected construction and the value of integrated workflows, we asked, “what does connected construction mean to you?” Andrew shares that not having an efficient, and connected way of sharing data across hundreds of people on one job, leads to wasted time and effort which can negatively impact the project outcome. 

 

[Video Transcript]

My name is Andrew Pangallo. I’m the Major Projects Construction Manager for the Indiana Department of Transportation.

We’re charged with a very difficult task. To complete the design and construction of this entire corridor, which is 29 miles long, 70 different bridges, in a set time period.

It’s vital that we are proactive in the planning aspect. We’re talking hundreds if not thousands of people all working at once. And in order to do that, everybody needs to know what their role is. They need to be informed. And we need a way to facilitate that.

What connected construction means to me is allowing construction to connect with the different phases of the overall lifecycle. Right now, there’s a drop-off of information, from design to construction to our operations and maintenance and asset management. 

All it takes is one wrong measurement, and you could delay the job by months. We need a better process of collecting that data. 

I’m a big believer in change. You can only get so efficient and productive in your current system, sometimes you need to think what else can I do? That is the only way to move on or progress, is to change the way of doing things.

 

The post How Connected Construction Leads to Proactive Planning and Execution appeared first on Digital Builder.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.clarkeconstructioncreations.com/?p=1654

Canada Achieves Foreign Trade Gains; U.S. Still Sinking

Canada’s foreign trade picture brightened considerably in June. The nation’s merchandise trade balance recorded its biggest surplus since before the 2008-2009 recession. Furthermore, there have now been four surpluses in the past six months. During the decade prior to this year, Canada’s monthly goods trade balance spent a lot of time below the zero x-axis (Graph 1).  (‘Merchandise’ trade is a fancier way of saying ‘goods’ as opposed to ‘services’ trade.)


Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.clarkeconstructioncreations.com/?p=1642

ANZ Infrastructure Industry Well-Positioned to Meet 2030 Benchmarks and Achieve Net Zero by 2050

In a first-time collaboration Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK), Australian Constructors AssociationConsult Australia and the Infrastructure Sustainability Council have released a joint report to support industry in accelerating a net zero future through the design and construction of the infrastructure pipeline. 

The report, A net-zero future delivered through our infrastructure pipeline, signals that a whole-of-business, systems-based approach across asset lifecycles is required to accelerate the journey to net zero. This includes pulling key levers such as procurement, materials, methodologies, technology and people capability.  

Jon Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Constructors Association said, “The record investment in infrastructure creates opportunities for the construction industry to be part of the solution to net zero. 

“We all have a role to play, and it must be performed in partnership. The report sets out the options and enablers for government and industry to use in mapping the path to low-carbon, climate-resilient infrastructure,” said Mr Davies.    

Although the industry has a significant footprint it has already started to demonstrate the influence it can have on the reduction of emissions said Ainsley Simpson, CEO, Infrastructure Sustainability Council.  

“The 24 As-Built Projects certified over the last four years by the Infrastructure Sustainability Rating Scheme reduced their whole of lifecyle emissions by 26.5 million tonnes of CO2e, which is equivalent to the 26 CO2e saved by the whole Australian economy in 2020,” said Ms Simpson. 

There are many tools identified in the report which also map key enabling levers against asset lifecycle phase, as well as a net-zero delivery model to prompt and guide decision-making – from rethinking and redefining problems and solutions through to reducing carbon intensive materials and ensuring regenerative approaches are integrated in asset design and construction. 

The report also presents real-world case studies to inspire project teams to utilise, adapt, scale and accelerate further innovation.  Technology is also identified as a key enabler of decarbonisation. 

Andy Cunningham, ANZ Regional Director, Autodesk, said technology supports the infrastructure industry with the tools they need to unlock insights, make better decisions, and achieve superior outcomes.  

“Software helps automate complex processes and transform data into actionable insights that empower innovators to improve the impact of everything they design, make, own, and operate. Cloud solutions and connected data environments fuel innovation—across technology, processes, supply chains, and industries. This opportunity is only accelerating,” said Mr Cunningham. 

The release of the framework follows the COP26 climate talks which called for accelerated decarbonisation before 2030 to keep global temperature within 2-degree limits, and preferably to 1.5 degrees. 

“Strong leadership and collaboration across the industry is going to be required to achieve accelerated net zero and keep our sector globally competitive,’’ said Nicola Grayson, CEO of Consult Australia.  

“Net zero is a shared responsibility. Through the collective members of the Australian Constructors Association, Consult Australia and the Infrastructure Sustainability Council, in collaboration with Autodesk, we are committed to working with industry and government stakeholders to drive the continuous improvement required to achieve this shared outcome. We look forward to working together to take action at scale and at pace,’’ concluded Ms Grayson. 

The report is available for download here.

The post ANZ Infrastructure Industry Well-Positioned to Meet 2030 Benchmarks and Achieve Net Zero by 2050 appeared first on Digital Builder.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.clarkeconstructioncreations.com/?p=1586