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2/14/24, 4:00 PM Taking a Technology-first Approach to Capital Projects - builtenvironmentme.com

Publication: Built Environment ME
Date: 13 February 2024

The right digital technology mix can enable change that drives efficiency, effectiveness, and, ultimately, business
transformation.

February 13, 2024

If you are involved in any stage of infrastructure development or operations, you know how complex and challenging they can be. Some projects naturally
face complexities and challenges based on resource constraints, tight timelines, and supply chain delays. But how many of those hurdles are heightened by
outdated, manual processes and poorly automated applications that create data silos, inefficiencies, and risks? How many opportunities and benefits do you
and your clients miss because you use little to no advanced technology, or less-than-ideal technologies?

Adopting a technology-first approach to your capital projects can transform the way that you deliver and manage infrastructure assets. Whether you need a
connected data environment, virtual reality, or artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, the right digital technology mix can enable change that drives
efficiency, effectiveness, and, ultimately, business transformation. Will there be challenges and barriers along the way? Absolutely. However, nothing worth
having comes easy.
For decades, the traditional approach to the infrastructure project lifecycle was linear. Typically, planning, design, procurement, construction, and operations
are distinct phases with individual stakeholders, requirements, and discrete hand-offs. In general, organizations inconsistently use technology or processes
among the phases, creating information silos at each phase. The result is inefficient, fragmented transfers of information between phases. Significant data
becomes lost along the way. Information silos create rework, errors, and delays, increasing costs and the risk of mistakes. In recent years, other obstacles
such as environmental and sustainability mandates have continued to grow. For example, many states require owners and operators to report on the energy
efficiency and carbon footprints of an entire asset. However, when decision-making is done phase by phase, it is tough to optimise and report on an asset’s
overall performance.
On the other hand, a technology-first approach is based on digital, integrated, and collaborative processes where each phase of the project is connected and
synchronized using technologies that enable data sharing, visualisation, simulation, optimisation, and automation. Data is not recreated in each phase of the
asset lifecycle, but rather is handed over seamlessly from one phase to the next for the next set of stakeholders to use. This approach saves time and money

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