Construction keeps falling behind: Time to put data to action

Ok, let me open up to you: I have a dream.

A dream driven by the reality that, despite its potential, the construction industry is falling behind in key areas that should make us all pause and reflect.

After two decades in the industry, working with some of the UK’s top contractors, I’ve witnessed its ability to shape the world we live in, and I know the positive impact it can have on society. But today, the hard truth is that the sector remains burdened by outdated practices, underuse of data, and a resistance to change.

Yes, the construction industry has achievements we can be proud of, but it’s not reaching its full potential. It lags in safety, sustainability, skills, and productivity. Four areas that define the success and futureproofing of any industry.

HEALTH & SAFETY: LIVES ARE STILL ON THE LINE

Despite significant progress over the years, the UK construction sector continues to account for 27% of all fatal workplace injuries (HSE). That’s more than a quarter of all workplace deaths happening in one industry. Why? Because our approach to safety remains largely reactive. We only look at data after an accident has happened, instead of using it proactively to prevent incidents. We have the technology and the data capabilities to predict and prevent many of these accidents, but we’re not using them effectively.

Imagine a world where safety data is continuously collected, analysed, and actioned in real-time. Where predictive analytics flag risks before they become hazards. That’s the future I want for our industry, and it’s not an unreachable dream. It’s a missed opportunity.

CARBON EMISSIONS: WE ARE FAILING ON OUR GREEN PROMISE

The construction industry is responsible for about 40% of the UK’s total carbon emissions (UK Green Building Council). While sustainability has become a buzzword, the actions often don’t match the rhetoric. We’re facing a climate crisis, and yet many construction projects are still contributing heavily to carbon emissions. The reality is that we generate enormous amounts of data on building materials, energy use, and waste during construction, but we aren’t using it to its full potential.

This data could be leveraged to design more energy-efficient buildings, reduce waste, and make smarter material choices, drastically cutting down our carbon footprint. But instead, most of this valuable information ends up in digital landfills, unused and forgotten. It’s not just about adopting the latest green technology; it’s about extracting actionable insights from the data we already have.

SKILLS SHORTAGES: A CRISIS IN THE MAKING

The UK construction industry is facing a looming skills crisis. By 2027, we’re expected to have a shortfall of 225,000 workers (CITB). An aging workforce combined with a lack of skilled young talent is creating a perfect storm. We need to attract fresh talent, but we also need to rethink how we’re equipping our existing workforce.

The solution? Yes, you guessed it, data. Data-driven training programs can identify skill gaps and help us tailor education to meet the industry’s needs. We can use predictive analytics to forecast labour shortages and plan accordingly. The days of gut-feel decision-making should be long gone. It’s time we base our strategies on facts and future-proof our workforce.

PRODUCTIVITY: THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

Let’s talk about productivity, a topic that’s been the bane of our industry for decades. Since 1997, productivity in construction has grown by only 12%, compared to a 44% increase across all other industries (ONS). We’re lagging because we’re not using the data we have at our fingertips. Construction projects are notorious for running over budget and behind schedule, but many of these problems could be mitigated by better data management.

The truth is our industry generates a staggering amount of data every single day. Site data, project updates, financial reports, supply chain information… but very little of it is effectively analysed or used. We need to stop treating data as an afterthought. It’s a strategic asset that can help us streamline operations, increase efficiency, and boost productivity across the board.

MY DREAM FOR THE FUTURE OF CONSTRUCTION

OptimaBI was created because we believe passionately in the power of data. I’ve seen the transformative effect it can have in isolated cases, but industry-wide adoption remains the exception rather than the rule. And that’s what needs to change.

So, my dream? It’s simple: an industry that harnesses the power of data to overcome its challenges, where data is at the core of every decision, driving safer practices, lowering carbon emissions, bridging the skills gap, and dramatically increasing productivity. It’s about taking the construction sector from its current state, falling behind other industries, to one that leads from the front, setting an example of innovation and efficiency.

That’s the industry I want to be proud of.