When change is inevitable, adaptability becomes critical, and in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world, the Construction Industry sits at a crossroads: it resides in a period of intense introspection as it seeks to innovate and improve its performance.
The future of the construction industry can be studied by understanding the interaction between three dynamics: the weight of the past, the push of the present, and the pull of the future. The past of the industry is characterized by the following long-lasting problems: resistance to change, staging productivity, workforce challenges, poor documentation and standardization, and slow innovation and digitization. The present of the industry is represented by the following trends that are pushing change in construction: strong growth supported by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, aging infrastructure, unrealized technology benefits, workforce retirement, reduced flow of younger workers, and increased need for diversity. A question then arises as to what will the future of the Construction Industry look like? This question has no easy, singular answer, however, answering it is crucial.
At COIN Lab, we strive to work with our industry and academic partners on addressing the past and present of the construction industry, while maintaining a positive vision for the future. To improve the industry, two viewpoints must be considered — organizational and project level — and four aspects must be tackled — strategy, people, process, and technology.
COIN Lab continues to conduct research to answer the following questions:
- How can construction organizations adapt to change and become agile?
- How can construction organizations successfully digitize and adopt technology?
- How can construction organizations make sound decisions to successfully implement Construction 4.0 technologies?
- What is Construction 4.0?
- What are the synergies between Construction 4.0 and Lean Construction?
- How can the construction industry unlock the potential of digital delivery?
- How are Digital Twin and Digital Threads changing the industry?
- How can construction organizations overcome the workforce challenge?
- How do technology use and skill proficiencies impact workforce performance & information access?
- How does construction workforce culture compare to national workforce culture? And how do we increase female participation in the construction ion workforce?
- How to bridge the gap between contractors’ needs and construction management graduates?
- How can state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) address staffing shortages in highway inspectors?
- How can construction organizations maintain a safe working environment?