Five trends construction executives should be following now

To deliver projects on time and within budget in a constantly evolving landscape, construction executives must adopt a creative and flexible mindset that takes into account the industry’s current trends. 

What are these trends, and how can they help construction firms optimize their project delivery?

Construction companies are struggling to recruit workers due to the rise of hybrid working, an aging workforce, and wages increasing across multiple sectors—which is affecting the timely delivery of projects. 

By adopting a flexible workforce strategy that reduces burnout, investing in training and career development, fostering a culture of physical and mental safety, and adopting inclusive hiring practices, firms can secure skilled talent, especially from critical generations such as Gen Z.

Inflation and fluctuations in material and equipment costs require construction managers to plan and diversify accordingly. Investing in innovative technology and sustainable materials can help reduce life cycle costs, grow business, and enable more efficient operations. 

Additional considerations include fixed payment terms or lump-sum cost strategies, early planning meetings with clients, and partnering with diverse suppliers.

Innovative tech such as AI, drones, BIM, and remote monitoring are helping construction firms optimize scheduling, create safer worksites, and improve communication with clients. This is enabling faster project delivery, reduced costs, and a smaller margin for error. 

That said, construction managers should remember that human creativity and problem-solving go hand-in-hand with using digital tools—especially in complex projects that present unique challenges. 

Construction firms are being challenged to use eco-friendly materials and adopt sustainable practices in their projects. This is especially important when building labs and data center facilities, which are energy intensive. 

These industries are leveraging mechanical and electrical services to decrease energy-related emissions, improve efficiencies, and reduce waste. Construction companies should follow suit and try to minimize their impact on the environment.

Clients are looking for stability in their projects amid economic uncertainty, which is piquing interest in design-build. Design and build solutions improve projects by: 

• Enabling delivery of the original design vision 

• Ensuring quality, expertise, and client involvement from start to finish 

• Guaranteeing transparency and alignment across teams 

• Reducing costs 

Construction will continue to evolve, requiring executives to keep their fingers on the pulse of the industry and monitor new trends. By keeping the strategies above in mind, construction firms can deliver projects faster without compromising on quality or price.

Read the full article in Construction Executive

About Mike Putnam, Head of Delivery, Americas 

As the Head of Delivery at Unispace, Mike leads a team of project managers, estimators, site managers and health and safety professionals who create innovative and efficient workplaces for our clients across workplace, life sciences and experience design environments. He has over 15  years of experience in engineering, project management, estimating and procurement.

Follow Mike on LinkedIn.