Our survey sentiment is clear: the role of digital adoption will be instrumental to construction resilience. Ninety percent of our survey respondents agree or strongly agree that digital transformation is essential for the future growth of the region’s construction industry. The digital revolution in the Middle East's construction sector relies on cooperation between the public and private sectors to establish policies, support research and development, exchange knowledge and promote the use of technology.
Steps for digital adoption
Important steps for digital adoption include developing a strategy, gaining commitment from leaders and educating stakeholders about the benefits of digital technologies through collaborations and partnerships. Below are our recommendations for accelerating digital adoption in the construction industry:
- Governments must support the digital innovation of the industry and address legal and privacy concerns to enable the safe and secure use of technology.
- Reliable internet connectivity and data storage are essential, and companies must be encouraged to invest in various digital tools.
- Data management and analytics strategies are crucial for making informed decisions.
- Pilot projects offer a controlled testing environment for innovative technologies, while workforce training and change management are necessary for successful implementation.
- Establishing KPIs and incentives will help drive innovation in digital transformation.
- Continuous improvement and adaptability are key in establishing a digital culture.
- Feedback from stakeholders and alignment with sustainability goals are important for continuous adoption and improvements.
- Prioritising cybersecurity and promoting collaboration will help further enhance the benefits of digital technologies in the industry.
Future outlook
The only way forward is smart construction. The industry in the region will have to increase the pace of technological adoption due to the government’s ambitions for a digitised economy. Our report has highlighted a few considerations that will drive transformational change:
- Economic growth demands and regulation will remain the key drivers for reinforcing digitisation in construction. Following an influx of construction technology start-ups moving into the regional market, and as the technology scene continues to mature, higher rates of adoption are expected.
- Construction companies will need to implement digital technologies as a way of working at an enterprise level, addressing key pain points, improving overall collaboration and upskilling the workforce.
- Cross-cutting technologies such as digital twins, robotics, and forms of design simulation will continue to gain momentum and become the norm in the construction industry.
- As the industry matures in its digital transformation journey, the future of digital construction will move away from fragmented solutions to be centred around regulation and integrated solutions that align with the full ecosystem.
“Time is of the essence, and digitalisation, if implemented correctly, can contribute immensely to the efficiency of the design and delivery of projects.”
Survey respondent
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