The Future of Construction Technology

Throughout my 26 years at TDIndustries, it has been a privilege to learn and gain empathy through the lense of varying roles and positions. After spending the first part of my career on the construction side of the business, I transitioned to Senior Vice President of Construction Technologies and Manufacturing. I now lead a team of construction technology professionals, BIM designers and manufacturing teams that are working together to leverage the model.

I believe that the construction industry is entering into a time of transformative change where the model, manufacturing, and construction are converging to solve some of our industry’s biggest problems: worker shortages and stagnant productivity. With this change, the model will facilitate the shift of work from the jobsite to a more predictable and productive manufacturing environment that leverages prefabrication and productization of building components.

Another shift I see in our industry is that owners desire more certainty in cost and schedule. Historically, siloed knowledge gained over a career of experiences has limited the transfer of this data. Now with data rich models, we can provide more transparency with more accurate estimates and schedules.

In an effort to shift with the needs of the industry, about four years ago we invested heavily in resources to develop our database. The database contains labor and material information on every piece of our ductwork, plumbing, and piping systems.

This database is our single source of truth that is utilized in our estimating model, our BIM model, and in manufacturing. Over time, the data from these models are mined and studied so that we can improve upon future estimates and projects.

Below is the roadmap that we are following along our journey as we leverage construction teachnology, the model and manufacturing.

2017 – Design an integrated system and roadmap strategy

2018 – Develop a database creating a centralized data source

2019 –Streamline data flow through software integrations with ERP design and development

2020 – Transition data and implement Revit and Stratus

2021 – ERP go-live date and rollout

2022 – Transition from off-site manufacturing to prefabrication and productization

2023 – Predictable manufacturing enables automation, creating more efficiencies and customer confidence

This roadmap outlines our journey. Over time, it could change as items are added and we continue to invest in technology and resources that allow closer collaboration with our clients, provide more transparent data and yield more efficient and effective products.