How the UK’s top contractors avoid construction delays: Three key strategies
If construction teams were able to predict delays and disruption, the savings would be enormous; and that’s not an overstatement. According to the Construction Leadership Council, working to minimise change and manage risk could potentially save £8.1bn in the UK*. Relying on out-of-date documents and lost communications has become a risk, while industry leaders adopting smarter advanced project management solutions are reaping the many benefits of digitalisation.
Benefits of advanced project management
Advanced project management offers several key benefits that enhance project outcomes, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
Improved efficiency and productivity
Advanced project management tools streamline processes by automating manual tasks, like reporting and resource allocation. This gives teams more time to focus on strategic activities. By standardising processes and using digital tools, construction teams use optimised their workflows to reduce redundant activities and identify potential time wastage.
Enhanced cost control
Advanced software provides real-time resource tracking and predictive analytics, giving construction leaders more accurate information that can impact budgets. This means project managers can make informed decisions using real-time data. Projects using advanced software for resource allocation are likely to experience significantly fewer cost overruns compared to traditional methods.
Better scheduling and time management
Dynamic scheduling capabilities give real-time updates and reflect adjustments to project timelines. By integrating project schedules and resource allocation, potential delays can be identified early enabling proactive management rather than reactive.
Optimised resource allocation
Real-time tracking of labour and materials ensures optimal resource use and ultimately reduces waste, while predictive analytics can analyse historical data to forecast future resource needs accurately.
Enhanced collaboration and communication
Integrated communication tools in planning software can include shared dashboards, instant messaging, and document sharing, facilitating seamless collaboration among stakeholders and reducing the likelihood of miscommunication. These real-time insights enable project managers to make informed decisions and communicate based on actual data rather than assumptions.
Risk management and mitigation
Predictive analytics means teams can use proactive risk identification to highlight potential problems before they occur, allowing for proactive risk mitigation strategies. Visualisation technologies like BIM and 4D can also help identify potential issues early.
How three top contractors are using digital strategies
Top contractors in the UK are already transforming project delivery with a strategic approach to data using digital tools. Here’s how they are driving success.
Strategy: Leverage real-time data for better decisions
Using real-time data to get comprehensive project visibility gives project leaders what they need to make informed decisions. By capturing milestones as they happen, teams have a broader view of project progress and can clearly see potential delays before they happen.
Real example: Balfour Beatty uses Asta Powerproject to run pre-construction and construction projects simultaneously. Their teams are using a single source of truth to give clear and accurate updates on project milestones, avoiding the chance of hidden delays.
Download our free eBook to learn more about Balfour Beatty’s strategy.
Strategy: Forecast and address delays early
Reactive response is the norm for most construction teams, and this can lead to delays piling up impacting critical paths and ultimately project timelines. Software that uses forecasting models can predict potential delays enabling teams to develop mitigation strategies before disruption becomes a bigger problem.
Real example: Kier Group needed to deliver a large-scale project with extremely ambitious and immovable deadlines. Dynamic forecasting allowed the team to break down their workload with a detailed view of the entire project timeline.
Download our free eBook to read more about the Kier Group’s strategy
Strategy: Drive future performance with data insights
The volume of data generated throughout the project lifecycle can be enormous, with poor data management becoming a risk for delays. An increasing number of digital tools centralise project data, enabling teams to create in-depth project insights. These insights allow for continual analysis; meaning recurring issues can be quickly identified and processes can be improved accordingly.
Real Example: MiCiM were able to save a massive 24 hours per week by implementing a comprehensive digital solution to standardise processes and data collection.
Download our free eBook to read more about MiCiM’s strategy
The benefits of structured planning are clear.
- Improved efficiency leads to reduced planning and reporting times
- Enhanced profitability through better resource management
- Increased resilience when construction teams are able to adapt to market changes.
Want to know more? Dive deeper into how these top contractors are making lasting changes to how they approach planning and delivery through strategic data management. Download your free eBook Predict, prevent, perform today and start your journey towards reducing delay and disruption.