IndustryHow Better Construction Data Will Lead to Better Design

Construction companies of every size are currently using building information modeling (BIM), robotics, and integrated tech stacks to get designers and builders on the same page right from the start. That means fewer unnecessary reworks, which can account for 19% of a construction project's total costs. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology are getting better by the day and could streamline this process even further.

Right now, more than one-quarter of construction employees still use analog workflows like paper records to store and share important information. This is an inefficient way of doing things, driving up costs and making projects take longer for both designers and builders.

When design and construction platforms automatically sync data, jobsites avoid the back-and-forth that typically delays projects. Field teams can automatically sync real-time conditions back to designers, eliminating assumptions that lead to change orders.

While the construction industry's digital transformation has already begun, not enough companies are leveraging its full potential. Now is the time to start. Better data means better communication, better use of funding, and projects completed faster with fewer change orders.

Tools for master builders

Designers and builders weren't always as siloed as they are today. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, "master builders" led major construction projects. These designers also had the skills to build what they created. They knew from direct experience what worked and what didn't.

Today, designers are increasingly disconnected from what happens at construction sites. Many architects don't understand the fundamentals of construction. Meanwhile, construction companies underbid because they know they'll make up the difference in change orders. This model isn't good for the people who create buildings, or the people who want to live and work in them.

The future of design in construction hinges on bringing back the master builder, but this time with modern digital tools. Tomorrow's master builders will have instant, reliable access to data on the constructibility, cost efficiency, and effectiveness of any project they're working on. These integrated platforms automatically update design files when field conditions change, keeping everyone aligned without manual coordination.

Future designers will be builders themselves, or work closely with builders through fully digitalized tech stacks and AI tools. They'll be able to create buildings that are constructible and code-compliant from day one, with better automation and less human error during every step.

Many construction companies are using these digital tools right now. Procore surveyed construction owners, general contractors, and specialty contractors to see how far along they were in their digital transformations. A full 98% of them were somewhere between "just starting out" and already operating as "a digital-first business." Just under half of respondents (47%) were "well on [their] way" to digitalizing all of their workflows.

Consider BIM, for example. This tool lets designers and builders access, analyze, and edit realistic models during every stage of a project. More than 75% of the professionals we talked to agreed that BIM is "very" or "extremely valuable" to improving project outcomes. About half (49%) of them also agreed that BIM will help designers and builders work together more effectively, and with fewer potential clashes.

The bottom line is that advanced data capture will help designers tap into every decision that contractors make about constructibility. Historical data from previous projects will let software make accurate estimates about costs during the design phase. AI tools will optimize designs, not just for code compliance and structural soundness, but also to see whether automated construction is an option.

Intelligence that builds on itself

The future of design is all about data. The more information designers and builders can create, store, and share, the better off the whole project will be. Collecting data isn't a one-and-done deal, though. The more projects a company completes, the more data it will have on hand. Institutional intelligence will get a little better with every new building as both workers and AI tools learn what works and what doesn't.

Take digital twins, for instance. In the past, designers and builders would make slight tweaks, send files back and forth, and spend a lot of time waiting between each step. Now, they can collaborate instantly with models that update in real time. Once the project is done, intuitive AI tools will highlight the change orders that came up.

Today's real-world construction data will fuel tomorrow's models. Connected platforms automatically capture every request for information (RFI), coordination issue, and field update. AI programs can analyze this data and make better recommendations for future designs. As the data set grows, the virtuous cycle continues. Construction professionals get faster answers to common design questions, reducing project delays and eliminating redundant processes.

Only about one-quarter of construction companies are currently using AI, ML, and next-generation BIM to their full potential. The most successful teams will move beyond separate design and construction tools to comprehensive platforms that seamlessly connect field reality with design intent.

Teams that start their digital transformations today will be ready as the tools evolve. They'll have years of captured field experience, all feeding into smarter design decisions. Collecting data is only the start. Over time, companies will be able to generate project insights that save time on future builds. This knowledge is exactly what will shape smarter, more constructible designs in the future.