Introduction

The construction industry is ripe for disruption. 

It is a $10 trillion global industry, but it is also one of the least digitized. This is starting to change, as more and more construction companies are adopting cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), robotic process automation (RPA), and other technologies to improve their operations. 

According to a recent report by McKinsey, the construction industry could save $1.6 trillion per year by adopting new technologies. AI and RPA are two of the most promising technologies for the construction industry, as they can be used to automate tasks, improve decision-making, and reduce costs. 

  

What is AI and its use in construction? 

AI is Artificial Intelligence. AI is a powerful tool that can be used to automate tasks, analyze data, and make predictions. It can be used to improve a wide range of processes in the construction industry, such as: 

  

Scheduling and resource allocation:

AI can be used to optimize schedules and allocate resources more efficiently. This can help construction companies to save time and money, and to reduce the risk of delays and cost overruns. 

Risk assessment

AI can be used to assess risks and make better decisions about things like project planning and safety. This can help construction companies to avoid accidents and to protect their workers. 

Quality control

AI can be used to inspect and monitor construction projects for defects. This can help construction companies to improve the quality of their work and to reduce the risk of rework. 

Cost estimation

AI can be used to estimate costs more accurately and efficiently. This can help construction companies to make better financial decisions and to avoid surprises. 

 

To implement AI, Identify the tasks that you want to automate. 

What are the tasks that are taking up the most time and effort? What are the tasks that are most prone to errors? These are the tasks that are the best candidates for automation. 

  

What is RPA and its use in construction? 

RPA stands for Robotic Process Automation, and it is a more focused technology that can be used to automate specific tasks. It can be used to automate tasks such as: 

 

Data entry

RPA can be used to automate the entry of data into spreadsheets and databases. This can save construction workers time and effort, and it can help to reduce the risk of errors. 

Document processing

RPA can be used to automate the processing of documents such as invoices and purchase orders. This can help to streamline workflows and to improve efficiency. 

Customer service

RPA can be used to automate customer service tasks such as answering frequently asked questions and generating reports. This can free customer service representatives to focus on more complex issues. 

 

The decision of whether to use AI or RPA will depend on the specific tasks that you need to automate. If you need to automate a wide range of tasks, AI may be a better choice. If you only need to automate a few specific tasks, RPA may be a better choice. 

In some cases, you may also want to consider using both AI and RPA together. For example, you could use AI to identify the tasks that are most suitable for automation, and then use RPA to automate those tasks. 

Ultimately, the best way to decide whether to use AI, RPA, or both is to speak to a business process automation consultant who can assess your specific needs and requirements. 

  

Top 5 tools to consider

UiPath is a leading RPA platform that helps businesses automate repetitive tasks. It is easy to use and can be deployed quickly and easily. UiPath also offers a wide range of features, including task automation, process mining, and analytics. 

Automation Anywhere is another popular RPA platform that offers a wide range of features and capabilities. It is also easy to use and can be deployed quickly and easily. Automation Anywhere is a good choice for businesses that need to automate a wide range of tasks. 

Blue Prism is a powerful RPA platform that is used by some of the world's largest companies. It is more complex to use than some other RPA platforms, but it offers a wider range of features and capabilities. Blue Prism is a good choice for businesses that need to automate complex tasks or that have a large number of users. 

Power Automate is a cloud-based RPA platform that is part of Microsoft's Power Platform. Power Automate is easy to use and can be deployed quickly and easily. It is a good choice for businesses that are already using Microsoft products, such as Office 365 and Dynamics 365. 

Nintex is a workflow automation platform that offers a wide range of features, including RPA. Nintex is a good choice for businesses that need to automate tasks that are spread across multiple systems. It is also a good choice for businesses that need to automate tasks that require human interaction. 

  

Feature Comparison of the Tools

It's important to do your research and find a solution that is right for your specific needs. Ultimately, the best tool for your business will depend on your specific needs and requirements. 

  

Get buy-in from your team. It's important to get buy-in from your team before you start automating tasks. Your team needs to understand the benefits of automation and they need to be willing to embrace the change. 

  

Start small. Don't try to automate everything at once. Start with a few simple tasks and then gradually scale up as you gain experience. 

  

Monitor and adjust. Once you start automating tasks, it's important to monitor the results and make adjustments as needed. You may need to modify your processes or your automation solutions in order to achieve the desired results. 

  

By following the above steps, you can get started with AI and RPA for your construction business and start to reap the benefits of automation.