Professional Documents
Culture Documents
FMI Construction Data EU
FMI Construction Data EU
HARNESSING
THE DATA
ADVANTAGE
IN CONSTRUCTION IN CONSTRUCTION
Why adopting a data strategy can bring Why adopting a data strategy
firms in Europe a competitive edge can bring companies in Europe
a competitive advantage.
FOREWORD TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword
Table of Contents
Projects are built on decisions. It might be owners choosing between 04 Executive Summary
two design routes – or subcontractors working out how to overcome
an installation issue on-site. Whatever their size, all of these decisions 06 Demographics
combine to determine the overall success of the build, for the owners and
every organisation involved. 07 Definitions
These pivotal moments in the project can also create risk, whether it’s 08 Chapter 1
adding cost, causing delays or even producing legal issues. And across Construction data – is more always better?
the board, we’re seeing more decisions taken during the build phase at the
project manager level: staff who are often on-site and under significant 12 Chapter 2
time pressure. Making decisions with data
The quality of every decision depends on data: having accurate, timely and 16 Chapter 3
complete information that you can use when you need it. But right now, The benefits and barriers to formal data strategies
data management is an area where many European firms are struggling.
20 Chapter 4
We might be generating more information than ever before. But whether Skills, culture and leadership are critical
that’s producing actionable insights – and better outcomes for the business
– is another question. Region Perspectives
24 Benelux: Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands
We’ve surveyed 1,115 construction professionals and interviewed four 30 France, Germany
contractors across Europe to understand their challenges in using data, as 36 Ireland, UK
well as where they see the biggest opportunities for the future. 42 The Nordics: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden
It’s clear that using data can seem overwhelming. Many organisations 48 Conclusion
don’t know where to start – and with a lack of leadership and resistance to The Four Steps of a Successful Data Strategy
change, it can feel like an uphill struggle.
49 What’s next?
Using insights from businesses across Europe, this report shares simple
steps that every business can take to overcome these hurdles, make 50 Appendix
more data-driven decisions – and start to realise the full potential of data
in construction.
Mike Pettinella
Director of EMEA Sales
Autodesk Construction Solutions
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Executive Summary
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
There is a clear divide between construction companies that are
Executive Summary
benefitting from a formal data strategy, and those unable to get started.
Construction firms are generating more data than 58% of construction companies have a formal data plan in place
33% don’t
39% say that less than half of that data is usable less rework
inaccurate
39% A lack of applicability
51%
35%
don’t know what data to collect
Professionals report problems Not knowing where to start
with the whole process
don’t understand how to
52% manage project data effectively
Skills, culture and leadership will be central to pursuing successful
data strategies, but many companies have barriers to overcome.
41% of the time, on average, bad project data results in poor decisions
By starting with a single project, construction businesses can
make incremental progress in improving their data management.
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DEMOGRAPHICS DEFINITIONS
Definitions
Demographics
This research is based on a survey and Data — Project-related data that represents
measurements, observations or statistics. This
interviews conducted by research firms
might include BIM inputs, material quantities,
FMI and Censuswide in March 2021. safety incidents, assigned staff or cost data, for
The quantitative survey featured 1,115 example.
construction professionals across Europe.
Usable Data — Usable project data is readily
accessible, consumable, understandable, and
actionable.
SPECIALISM
• Project Owner 28%
• Architect/Engineer 43%
• Construction Manager/ 24%
Main Contractor
• Trade Contractor 5%
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01 Construction data – is more always better?
01
02 CONSTRUCTION The good, the bad
and the unusable
03
DATA – IS MORE
ALWAYS BETTER?
04 Although more data is being collected, There isn’t a single outstanding issue
not all of it is usable. As one UK quality causing this prevalence of bad data.
manager put it, “It’s easy to just grab a lot When naming the biggest contributor,
more always better?
Construction data – is
of data, but this can cloud what you are professionals are quite evenly split
trying to do.” between inaccurate data (23%), duplicate
40% of the average construction data (21%), missing data (20%), wrong
In fact, 39% of professionals say that less data (20%) and poor data quality (17%).
business’ data is bad than half their data is “readily accessible, Altogether, this can make data unreliable
consumable, understandable and – creating problems, rather than adding
The use of technology in construction Collecting and handling this level of actionable” – or in other words, usable. value, for the business.
is growing – and one of the clearest information is taking up significant Only 15% believe that three quarters or
consequences is that firms can access resources. The process can be split more of their organisation’s data meets
more data than ever before. between multiple teams; as one main this definition.
contractor in the UK explained, “Right
Most construction professionals (82%) now, our quality managers in the field and Worse still, a significant proportion of
agree their organisations are collecting safety team capture all of the data we use. this data is bad. On average, respondents
more data from construction technology They give it to our data analytics team, characterise 40% of their organisation’s
today than three years ago, with 43% who analyse it and build out the reports.” data as “inaccurate, incomplete,
reporting an increase of 50% or more. But inconsistent or untimely.”
when it comes to data, is more actually On average, 49% of project management
better – for projects and for the business? and field supervision staff’s time is spent
collecting, managing and analysing
project data each week.
82%
ARE COLLECTING MORE DATA FROM
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
TODAY THAN THREE YEARS AGO
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01 Construction data – is more always better?
01 Problems with
02 the processes AUTODESK COMMENTARY
03
04 From a process perspective, construction There are issues with the whole process The rise of construction data means that Thinking about data management
professionals are experiencing a number of data management, from start to finish. companies can collect and access more strategically is the best place to start.
more always better?
Construction data – is
of challenges when working with their Professionals point to problems with data than ever before. But it’s very clear Consider what project data is the
project data. The most common are that: knowing what data to collect (51%), how that more isn’t always better. most valuable to your team. Then think
to collect data efficiently (49%) and how about ways to improve its reliability
1. Data from one source cannot be to manage project data effectively (52%). For example, project managers and – for example, using cloud-based
easily combined with another source Rather than pushing on with large scale field supervisors in Luxembourg spend construction technology to record data
2. There is too much data to know how data collection, taking the time to think the highest proportion of their time more accurately on-site – then you can
to use it efficiently or effectively specifically about these fundamentals collecting, managing and analysing data work from there. Incrementally, your data
may help businesses to get more from (55%) – but nonetheless report the lowest quality will improve.
3. Data is incomplete and missing their data. proportion of usable data in the business
certain aspects that would make it across Europe.
more usable
Data management is often time-
consuming and error-prone, and firms are
concerned that they don’t have the insight
to improve the situation.
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01 Making decisions with data
01
02 MAKING DECISIONS
WITH DATA
Which of the following areas presents the
03 greatest risk to project decision making?
Most popular response by country
04
Ireland 40%
with data
Making decisions
People also matter. A lack of input from Lack of reliable data Netherlands 37%
others, particularly senior staff, (32%) and United Kingdom 40%
personal bias and conflict (25%) are also
prevalent issues.
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01 Making decisions with data
01 Gut feeling
02
AUTODESK COMMENTARY
03 Crucially, professionals often lack the data Poor information-sharing within the
to make project decisions effectively. Only organisation can be part of the issue. For
04 9% always incorporate project data into example, the BIM coordinator noted: “The
Project managers have always been These are vital moments on projects.
tasked with making decisions quickly. Making the wrong decision can cause
their decision making – while 64% do this main challenge is always communication
with data
Making decisions
But with the Covid-19 pandemic rework, delays and extra costs, even
sometimes, rarely or never. between the ones that collect the data
disrupting projects across Europe, making the difference between a
and those that use it.”
there’s more pressure on schedules than profitable job and a loss for the
In fact, in many businesses, making
ever before. partners involved.
decisions on-site based on gut feeling So although it is being collected, data
is a strong part of the working culture. might not be making it through to those
Some countries are experiencing this It’s crucial that decision makers can
“The level of decision making in the who need it – ultimately increasing project
acutely; in France, 50% of professionals access up to date, accurate project
field has always been high, but these managers’ reliance on instinct.
say time constraints are adding risk to data whenever it’s needed. Cloud-based
decisions have been made mostly on
key decisions. tools can be a valuable resource, and
their experience and not analysis,”
help to engage other stakeholders in the
explained a BIM coordinator at a
process. That way, professionals can be
German main contractor.
sure they are making the best decisions
in the circumstances.
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03 The benefits and barriers to formal data strategies
01
02 THE BENEFITS AND Learning from the past
03
BARRIERS TO FORMAL A data strategy is essentially a vision Importantly, companies with a plan to
DATA STRATEGIES
for how the company will use data to its analyse data at the organisation-level
04 advantage, so it can look very different are seeing better outcomes on the
from business to business. ground, because they are able to learn
to formal data strategies
The benefits and barriers
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03 The benefits and barriers to formal data strategies
01
The barriers to overcome
02
AUTODESK COMMENTARY
03 At the 33% of construction companies Businesses without a data strategy
without a formal data strategy, could be missing out on opportunities
04 respondents point to a number of to learn from past projects and improve.
Many organisations are well-aware of The best approach is to start small, by
their data management challenges focusing on the project data that you
barriers in the way. The most common One innovation and quality manager in
Data Strategies
Implementing Formal
and are making efforts to improve. know can bring the most value to the
is “a lack of applicability” (39%), which the UK recalled an incident where “we
For example, although construction business. Undertake a pilot project and
could suggest professionals are failing had a project that went terribly bad. A
companies in Denmark have a high progress from there.
to see how data plans can add value to couple of years later, we had the exact
proportion of bad data (47%), they are
their business. same project. But because we did not
the most likely to have implemented a It’s also important to use digital tools
have ready access to any data related
process for identifying and repairing that that are easy to integrate, in order to
For other businesses, just getting to the first project, we made the same
data (42%). avoid data siloes and allow construction
underway is a hurdle. Professionals point mistakes all over. Everything that went
professionals to more easily build on data
to the cost and resources required to wrong was avoidable had we had the
Taking insights from multiple projects management processes for the future.
create a strategy (37%) and simply not lessons learned from the first project
is how organisations can make long-
knowing where to start (35%). available to our team.”
term improvements in the business.
Interestingly, 31% of construction
But there’s certainly no one size fits all
professionals say that the firm’s limited Although it might take time and
when it comes to data strategies – and
use of construction technology is the investment, creating a strategy to collate
just knowing where to start can be a
main barrier – which might indicate data across the business and make
problem; 47% of UK companies
difficulties with digital transformation ongoing improvements can pay dividends
without a data strategy say this is
across the board. in the long run.
their biggest barrier.
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04 Skills, culture and leadership are critical
01
02 SKILLS, CULTURE Future skills
03
AND LEADERSHIP Many construction professionals believe As one contractor in Spain puts it,
ARE CRITICAL
digital skills will become even more “Data analysis skills will be critical for
04 valuable over time. In fact, 44% say data the future construction workforce,
management and analysis skills will be because data and insights can create
ership are critical
Skills, culture and lead-
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04 Skills, culture and leadership are critical
01 Culture challenges
02
AUTODESK COMMENTARY
03 However, there are signs that in some Communication is an important part of
cases company culture will present a encouraging technology adoption. “One
04 barrier to making greater use of data in the of the early challenges we ran into was
Technology is creating new Leadership will be vital to help employees
opportunities in construction, but this adopt new tools and ways of working,
future. Adopting technology represents a our approach,” recalled a innovation and
ership are critical
Skills, culture and lead-
in turn is changing the processes and whether that’s the senior leadership
significant change – and for many workers, quality manager. “We were giving iPads
skills needed in businesses. This often team or champions on every project.
that can be difficult to accept. to our field staff for taking photos and
requires a significant cultural change too It’s also critical that companies support
completing forms. They initially felt like it
– but that change can be very difficult, employees in gaining the skills needed
One UK main contractor explained, was more work and that we were adding
especially in an industry that has worked for the future through formal training and
“Some of our people just can’t get their stages that were not necessary. We had to
in the same way for a long time. proactive engagement.
heads wrapped around the reports – and explain to them why we were doing it and
it’s not because they don’t understand how it would save them time – and now
Reluctance in the leadership team Fortunately, many of today’s digital tools
them: it’s more a culture change and shift they are really happy.”
and across the business can be a are designed to be intuitive and easy
in what people are used to. There has been
major barrier. In Belgium, 40% of to use. With the right support, even
a small minority that has been resistant to Leadership is critical – but this is one area
professionals say that the biggest less confident employees can begin to
any change.” where many businesses are falling down.
barrier to creating a data strategy gain digital skills and help to unlock the
Where organisations don’t have a formal
is a lack of support from leadership benefits of data insights for the business.
Challenges with data management can data strategy in place, 34% point to a lack
and their organisation. Meanwhile, in Additionally, younger recruits into the
make people even more reluctant to adopt of leadership and organisational support
Denmark, 32% of professionals highlight business can lend their digital skills to
new tools. A common issue reported by as the main reason.
conflict on projects – which suggests an support their experienced colleagues
professionals is that errors raise suspicion
atmosphere that might not be conducive working in the field.
about the data and its usefulness and value Construction leaders must make data
to change.
– which will in turn hinder efforts to make management a strategic priority at the
greater use of technology in the business. highest level, and support adoption
across the business. Otherwise, it will be
difficult to progress – and there is a risk of
being left behind by competitors.
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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVES
perspectives
Regional
BENELUX: BELGIUM,
LUXEMBOURG,
Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands
NETHERLANDS
The last 12 months have been challenging By contrast, in the Netherlands,
for Benelux construction companies, construction sites remained open with
although each country in the region reduced activity. As a result, by April 2021
was uniquely impacted by the Covid-19 the sector had returned to pre-crisis
pandemic. In Luxembourg, construction productivity levels, and confidence was
was particularly badly hit by the first wave high. Belgium has fallen somewhere in
of the pandemic, with activities falling the middle; the economy as a whole grew
by 55% between February and April 2020 at the start of 2021, but construction
when most project work was suspended. only grew by 0.1% compared to the same
period in 2020.
When it comes to the risk factors organisations face daily, different issues
surface in each country. Construction professionals were asked about the
two factors that pose the biggest risks for their project decision making:
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Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands Regional perspectives
To explore how construction companies Interestingly, looking back over the last As in every region, there is a clear divide Companies with a formal data strategy
Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands
in Benelux use data, respondents three years, construction companies in between construction companies that in place were asked about the benefits
were asked how often project data Luxembourg report the lowest increase have a data strategy, and those that don’t. they receive from it, such as less rework
is incorporated into their companies’ in data from construction technology Companies without a formal data strategy and fewer missed schedules. Belgium is
decision making. Luxembourg is one of in the business across Europe (just 31% in place were asked what their biggest the country where companies with a
the countries that does this least often say it has gone up by more than half). barrier is, with some pointing to limited data management plan are the least
across Europe: Luxembourg companies also report the use of construction technology. likely to be realising these benefits
lowest proportion of usable data in the from it; by comparison, in Luxembourg,
• Belgium: 28% always or often business in Europe, and indicate that Dutch companies without a data strategy companies are amongst the most likely
incorporate project data into their biggest data management are the most likely to say that a lack of to report advantages.
decision making challenge is knowing what project data construction technology is a key barrier
• Luxembourg: 24% always or often to collect (56%). – perhaps suggesting a significant divide So, although companies in
incorporate project data – but 43% between companies with digital tools and Luxembourg might be struggling
say rarely or never However, Luxembourg is one of the data strategies, and those lacking either: with data management, the few with
counties where the highest proportion a formal strategy in place are seeing
• Netherlands: 44% always or often of project management and field • Belgium: 19% point to limited use of a clear advantage.
incorporate project data supervision staff’s time is spent construction technology
collecting, managing, and analysing • Luxembourg: 24% point to limited
Respondents were asked how much of project data each week. This takes use of construction technology
their data they would characterise as bad 55% of staff time in Luxembourg,
– inaccurate, incomplete, inconsistent compared to 38% in Belgium and 50% • Netherlands: 50% point to limited
or untimely – and how often that results in the Netherlands. This suggests that use of construction technology
in poor decisions, producing broadly companies in Luxembourg are still reliant
consistent results across the region. on manual data gathering processes,
which may in turn explain why project
• Belgium: 38% of the data is bad – data is so rarely used in decision making.
resulting in poor decisions 41% of the
time
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Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands Regional perspectives
Sander Lijbers
Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands
There’s a mixed picture when it comes to with some Belgian companies taking the
data management in the Benelux region. opportunity to progress into augmented
Dutch construction companies have long and virtual reality technologies. There
been seen as forerunners in their use of is however a divide in many businesses,
digital technology and data, but there between younger, digitally native
are some signs that the rapid pace of employees and those who might be older
digitalisation has been slowing. and more reluctant to change. Meanwhile,
in Luxembourg, most companies are at an
The challenge in many organisations early stage in their digital journeys.
seems to be working out the next step
to take: data is being collected on the Throughout the region, construction
ground, but now it’s not clear how it should companies should focus on integration as
be used to drive wider improvements. they adopt more digital tools and continue
For many Dutch companies, disjointed with their transformation. Selecting a
systems are a significant hurdle. platform that can be easily integrated with
other systems will be key for getting the
In Belgium, the use of cloud tools most value from data in the future. At the
has accelerated – matching and even same time, upskilling – to ensure that the
outpacing the Netherlands in some workforce is supported and engaged with
respects. The pandemic has driven digital tools – will be a marker of success.
greater interest in data-sharing tools,
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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVES
perspectives
Regional
FRANCE, GERMANY
France, Germany
France Germany
50% 43%
Time constraints and Time constraints and
urgent decisions urgent decisions
36% 41%
Lack of reliable data Lack of reliable data
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France, Germany Regional perspectives
To explore how French and German COMPANIES Companies were asked whether they have Companies without a formal data strategy
France, Germany
construction companies use data, a formal data strategy in place – and if so, in place were asked why not – and whether
respondents were asked how often what it encompasses. Alongside Ireland, a lack of construction technology was
project data is incorporated into decision Germany is the only country where most the main barrier. Interestingly, in France
making. France is the European country
where professionals report using data the GERMANY data plans include standards for project
data formatting (58%), collection methods
the fewest companies cited a lack of
technology as an issue, possibly pointing
most often: REPORTS THE for priority project data (52%) and quality to higher adoption across the sector:
LOWEST PROPORTION assurance measures for collected data
• France: 55% always or often OF BAD DATA (54%), suggesting a mature approach to • France: 8% point to limited use of
incorporate project data into data management. construction technology
decision making
58%
countries performed very well by this supervisors on data management and
measure, with German companies analytics (44%), supporting longer term
reporting the lowest proportion of bad efforts to improve data management.
data and French companies reporting PROJECT DATA
the joint fewest resulting bad decisions FORMATTING
in Europe:
52%
• France: 33% of the data is bad –
resulting in poor decisions 28% of
the time
COLLECTION METHODS
• Germany: 30% of the data is bad – FOR PRIORITY
resulting in poor decisions 31% of PROJECT DATA
the time
54%
QUALITY ASSURANCE
MEASURES FOR
COLLECTED DATA
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France, Germany Regional perspectives
Marvin Theissen
District Manager – Western Europe
Autodesk Construction Solutions
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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVES
perspectives
Regional
IRELAND, UK
Ireland, UK
40% 40%
Lack of experience with Lack of reliable data
similar decisions
39% 39%
Lack of understanding of Lack of experience with
the relationship to other similar decisions
projects and the business
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Ireland, UK Regional perspectives
To explore how data is used by Irish and However, this has a resource implication. Companies were asked whether they have However, in both countries there are
Ireland, UK
UK construction companies, respondents In Irish businesses, project managers and a formal data strategy in place – and if so, companies without data strategies in
were asked how often project data is field supervision staff spend the most what it encompasses. In Ireland, where place – and for some, a wider lack of
incorporated into decision making: time in Europe on collecting, managing companies do have a data strategy in construction technology in the business
and analysing data, occupying 62% of place, there are likely to be several good is the main reason. In fact, in Ireland,
• Ireland: 34% always or often their time compared to 39% in UK. processes set up. this is the most common blocker for
incorporate project data into
those companies that don’t have data
decision making Alongside Germany, Ireland is the only strategies, whereas in the UK it’s
• UK: 44% always or often incorporate country where most data plans include relatively uncommon:
project data into decision making standards for project data formatting
(55%), collection methods for priority • Ireland: 49% point to limited use of
project data (50%) and quality assurance construction technology
Respondents were also asked how much
measures for collected data (55%).
of their data they would characterise • UK: 11% point to limited use of
as bad – inaccurate, incomplete, construction technology
inconsistent or untimely – and how often Likewise, UK companies also have
58%
that results in poor decisions. The UK good data practices established. After
performed very well by this measure, Germany, UK is the country where DATA PLANS IN IRELAND
reporting the second lowest proportion of companies are most likely to regularly
bad data and bad decisions in Europe: review data at set intervals for quality
SAY THAT DATA HAS
purposes (45%), to improve the
INCREASED BY AT LEAST HALF
55%
• Ireland: 41% of the data is bad – IN THE LAST THREE YEARS information available to decision makers.
resulting in poor decisions 46% of
the time STANDARDS FOR
• UK: 32% of the data is bad – resulting PROJECT DATA
in poor decisions 31% of the time FORMATTING
55%
QUALITY ASSURANCE
MEASURES FOR
COLLECTED DATA
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Ireland, UK Regional perspectives
Marek Suchocki
Industry Engagement Lead
Autodesk
Construction companies in Ireland and In the UK, client demand and appetite for
the UK are increasing their focus on data change are driving technology adoption
management. In Ireland, we’re seeing across the sector. Owners are demanding
a rapid rate of change as companies digital workflows and data handover, while
transition from analogue to digitalised the government is now mandating BIM
processes and begin to make use of adoption for public sector projects.
project data. Client maturity, rising
awareness and the need to deliver a high And positively, organisations are
workload with limited resources are all responding by incorporating data more
likely to be driving this digital adoption. closely into their projects. In fact, it’s
really encouraging that construction
It’s positive that advanced companies in professionals highlight poor data as the
Ireland are developing comprehensive biggest risk that they face, as in fact this
data plans. Generally, however, there’s shows an increasing reliance on data for
still plenty of work to be done in most project execution. The next stage will be
businesses, as shown by the relatively for businesses to ensure that they can use
high proportion of bad data and the insights from multiple projects to drive
relatively high effort required to gather internal improvements, from productivity
it. Focusing on adopting and embedding and quality to safety. This will help both
digital tools for the site will help UK and Irish businesses to meet ongoing
businesses to collect data efficiently and uncertainty in the months ahead.
accurately, while providing formal and
informal training for project managers
will ensure they can use this data to drive
decision making.
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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVES
perspectives
Regional
THE NORDICS:
DENMARK, FINLAND,
The Nordics: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden
NORWAY, SWEDEN
In the Nordics, construction industries However, Nordic construction companies
have been less severely impacted by face wider changes: all four countries
the Covid-19 pandemic than some have committed to taking a leading role
other European countries, due to in the global green recovery, with the
a lower proportion of lockdown respective Prime Ministers underlining
closures. Between February and April, the role of both public and private
construction activity in Finland dropped sector organisations in this transition to
only moderately – while in Denmark and sustainable development.
Sweden, it actually increased. Despite a
year of challenges, by April 2021 Finnish
and Swedish companies had returned to
pre-crisis activity levels.
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The Nordics: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden Regional perspectives
To explore how Nordic construction • Denmark: 47% of the data is bad – When it comes to whether companies Finland is the only country in Europe
The Nordics: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden
companies use data, respondents resulting in poor decisions 47% of have a strategy for data management, where most companies without a data
were asked how often project data is the time there is significant variation across strategy point to the cost and required
incorporated into decision making. While the region. In fact, Sweden is the only resources as the biggest problem, at 57%.
Finland and Sweden perform well, Norway • Finland: 45% of the data is bad – country in Europe where the majority
is the country that does this the least resulting in poor decisions 44% of of construction companies don’t have a Norway is the country in Europe where
often in Europe: the time formal plan for collecting and analysing companies are the least likely to have
• Denmark: 34% always or often • Norway: 49% of the data is bad – data across projects – 42% have a plan, structured their data into a common data
resulting in poor decisions 48% of and 58% don’t – compared for example to environment, at 27% compared to 45% in
incorporate project data into Denmark where 73% of businesses have a
the time Germany. On the other hand, Norwegian
decision making formal data plan. companies are the most likely to have
• Finland: 45% always or often • Sweden: 38% of the data is bad – created a formal position to oversee
incorporate project data resulting in poor decisions 39% of Companies without a formal data data; Norway is almost twice as likely as
the time strategy in place were asked why not Denmark to have done so (42% compared
• Norway: 20% always or often – and some pointed to limited use of to 22%). Likewise, Norway’s construction
incorporate project data – but 51% Alongside Germany, Denmark is the construction technology as a barrier. By companies are the most likely in Europe
say rarely or never European country most likely to have this measure, Sweden looks to have the to offer formal third-party training on data
a process for identifying and repairing largest proportion of companies where management (45%).
• Sweden: 40% always or often poor data (42%) – so although companies a lack of technology is hindering data
incorporate project data identify a high proportion of bad data, management:
there are measures in place to address it.
Respondents were also asked how much • Denmark: 38% point to limited use
of their data they would characterise Data management appears to be of construction technology
as bad – inaccurate, incomplete, particularly time consuming in the
inconsistent or untimely – and how often Nordics. In all four countries, more
• Finland: 14% point to limited use of
that results in poor decisions. Again, construction technology
than half of project management and
Norway performs the worst of any country field supervision staff’s time is spent • Norway: 28% point to limited use of
in Europe by this measure: collecting, managing and analysing construction technology
project data – Denmark: 51%, Finland:
51%, Norway: 53% and Sweden: 55%. • Sweden: 40% point to limited use of
Outside the Nordics, this is only the case construction technology
in Ireland and Luxembourg.
44 | HARNESSING THE DATA ADVANTAGE IN CONSTRUCTION HARNESSING THE DATA ADVANTAGE IN CONSTRUCTION | 45
The Nordics: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden Regional perspectives
the Nordics
The Nordics: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden
Nicholas Klokholm
District Manager – Nordics, Baltics and Poland
Autodesk Construction Solutions
46 | HARNESSING THE DATA ADVANTAGE IN CONSTRUCTION HARNESSING THE DATA ADVANTAGE IN CONSTRUCTION | 47
Conclusion
What’s next?
With the rise of construction technology, In the meantime, bad data can have far
1 Start small and begin with data selection before data collection
organisations can access more data than reaching consequences. Industry data Improving your data management can Having this single focus helps to direct
ever before. suggests that: seem overwhelming, so it’s best to attention and minimise distractions;
• Globally, bad data may have start with one small and clearly defined in the end, intentionally gathering a
There are significant advantages for the project. Focus on the place where your smaller volume of actionable data points
businesses that can use this data well. contributed to a total global industry
cost of €1.58 trillion in 2020. organisation could most benefit from is more valuable than a larger volume of
On projects, teams can make better data-driven insights: for example, unactionable data points. Once you’ve
decisions and mitigate risk, to finish on • When considering a contractor that tracking the most common snags or refined your process and can show clear
time, on budget and realise a profit. performs €1 billion in work annually, safety issues on-site. Consider whether results, you can then take lessons from
this indicates that upwards of €165 your business can gain measurable and this onto the next data management area.
At a business level, firms can take million of their revenue could have demonstrable value from this analysis,
learnings forward from project to project been impacted by bad data. which is often at the points where
to avoid repeating past mistakes, make impact meets speed.
evidence-led improvements and even • Decisions made using bad data may
spot issues before they occur. have had a global rework cost of
For data to be valuable – and even usable Consistency is key for gaining
– it has to be accurate and consistent, organisation-level insights, so it’s
and that takes proactive effort. Even critical to be able to combine project
small inconsistencies, like multiple datasets. Bear this in mind when
names or spellings for suppliers, can choosing your technology partner. A
limit the value of the whole undertaking. common data environment and either a
Define clear processes for capturing single technology platform or integrated
good data – and ensure that this is a technology platforms are needed to
foundation of your overall strategy. support the flow of data – and to form the
basis for your long-term data ambitions.
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APPENDIX
Appendix
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Appendix
€1.579 TRILLION An earlier study from Autodesk and FMI highlighted that poor project
data and miscommunication is responsible for 48% of all rework in the
United States. And in 2020, the global cost of rework was estimated to
represent 5% of all construction spending, or €534 billion ($625 billion)
according to Navigant.
Taking into account projections by Reuters that construction While bad data is not the only factor that causes rework, a McKinsey
accounted for 13.2% of global GDP in 2020, bad data may have study highlighted that 43% of organisations do not consistently make
contributed to a total industry cost of $1.848 trillion or €1.579 trillion. high quality decisions. Furthermore, one out of every three poor
decisions are made as a result of bad data. This means decisions using
Calculating the Cost of Bad Data bad data may have had a global rework cost of €75.82 billion ($88.69
billion), or 14% of all rework performed in 2020.
16.5% The Percentage of Bad Data’s Impact to GDP of United States in 2016 3
13.2% 2020 Construction Sector Share of Global GDP $12.5 Trillion Global Construction Spend
When considering a contractor that performs €1 billion in $269 Billion The Cost of Rework From Making Poor Decisions
work annually, it indicates that upwards of €165 million of their
33% Bad Decisions Attributable to Bad Data
revenue could have been impacted by bad data.
$88.69 Billion The Cost of Rework Associated with Bad Data
What does this mean for you? Here’s an example…
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Appendix
When applying this data to the revenue of a single €1 billion contractor, they
would have performed €50 million in rework in 2020. Assuming 14% of this
rework was caused by bad data, it means that €7.1 million of waste could have
been avoided by making decisions using accurate data.