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Knowledge

27 December 2016
Quality Management

How Well Do Construction Directors Know Their Industry?

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Construction is an industry in constant change. The rise and fall of economic markets alone can see periods of explosive activity, followed by debilitating slumps in demand.

However, technology is by far the most significant driver of change in the construction industry. Whether it be 3D printers capable of building 10 full-size houses in one day (at a price of less than $5,000 each), or robots removing the need for physical labour, technology is already reshaping the building and construction industry as we know it today.

A joint Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) and CSIRO report even predicted that 75% of construction jobs will be automated by the year 2036.

It takes consistent and committed research to stay up-to-date with emerging innovations in the industry – which is time that not all of us have. So it begs the question, just how well do today’s construction directors know their industry?

We explore the current state of play in the building and construction industry, and outline ways construction directors can use this information to improve the way they do business.

 

Current Construction Demand Across Australia

Australia’s population is steadily rising towards 25 million, and the demand for both residential and commercial construction is rising with it.

The 2016 Building Industry Outlook Report, produced by the Master Builders Queensland, predicts strong growth in the residential sector in the state over the next 2 years. However, it’s New South Wales and Victoria leading the nation in residential property construction, with a persisting trend towards apartment-building. Much of this activity is centred around the cities, with a reported 10,000 residential projects underway in Melbourne’s CBD alone.

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As for the workers on the ground, there are a reported 1.05 million construction industry professionals currently in Australia – the third largest employment sector in the country. However, the industry faces a unique challenge due to an ageing workforce, as the number of tradespeople aged 55 and above has grown significantly in the past 20 years.

 

Emerging Construction Technologies

As mentioned above, economic fluctuations will influence the construction industry, but the most remarkable changes are being fuelled by emerging technologies.

Project management tools are simplifying workflows, reducing budget overruns and improving worker safety, while estimating platforms have transformed the way takeoff and estimating is completed – in a fraction of the time. Further, wearable technology innovations like the DAQRI Smart Helmet are revolutionising the way workers complete physical tasks, with unrivalled safety and productivity.

Sustainable construction, using eco-friendly materials and minimising wastage, is no longer a nice-to-have for Australian consumers. The demand for sustainable construction technology has been met by suppliers, with one survey finding over 90% of plumbing retailers include eco-friendly products in their ranges. Environmental management standards like ISO 14001 will undoubtedly become industry best practice.

 

What Do These Technologies Mean for Australian Construction Directors?

In order to stay competitive in the immediate future, Australian construction businesses must adapt and evolve. Much like a business can gain a competitive advantage through marketing their compliance certifications, a business that utilises time and cost-saving technology will get the edge over competitors.

To get in touch with a Compliance Council compliance consultant, or for more information on reaching compliance with the ISO 9001 standard, leave us a message below.

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