8 Things Owners Care About on Their Construction Projects

In today’s competitive market, building owners are constructing new facilities to accommodate growth and meet increasing demands. To ensure long-term success, savvy owners apply lessons learned from previous projects and seek efficiencies in new ones. Although construction costs represent a relatively small portion of the total cost of building ownership, the data collected during the construction phase plays a critical role in future operational success. When owners are actively involved in their projects, they are better positioned to operate their buildings profitably and sustainably over time.

Following are eight critical proficiencies building owners care about in their construction projects:

1. Data Analytics, Insights and Reporting

Data is at the core of decision-making for many building owners. Predictive analytics help mitigate risks by providing insights into project performance. With comprehensive dashboards and reporting tools, owners can analyze data across multiple projects, allowing them to compare outcomes, forecast trends and make better business decisions. Monitoring project performance through data analytics enables building owners to identify inefficiencies and take corrective action before they escalate into costly issues.

Analytics tools not only help in risk management; they also provide a broader view of company-wide performance. For building owners managing a portfolio of properties, this data is essential in optimizing long-term profitability across all assets.

2. Data Ownership

Data ownership is crucial for building owners, as it directly impacts how effectively they can manage their projects in the long run. When owners have control over all the project data, they can access valuable information before, during and after construction. This access allows them to collaborate effectively with project teams and ensures that the data needed for ongoing maintenance is available.

Having control over the data also empowers building owners to make informed decisions about repairs, renovations and plans for future projects. It fosters transparency and collaboration among teams, leading to higher quality and more efficient builds.

3. Design Collaboration and Teamwork

Involving owners in the design collaboration process provides a fresh perspective for many projects. When owners and design teams collaborate from the outset, they can reduce rework, improve productivity and accelerate project delivery. Robust design documentation serves as a reliable record of project-based data, fostering optimal teamwork and reducing misunderstandings.

Design collaboration tools help ensure that all stakeholders, including the owner, are aligned with the project’s goals and expectations. This leads to fewer delays, higher satisfaction, and ultimately, a more successful project outcome.

4. Seamless Handover

The handover phase is a critical step in a construction project. For owners, having well-organized, accessible documentation is vital to ensure a smooth transition from construction to operation. When data is connected from the field to the office, defects can be addressed more quickly, and the entire process of commissioning is streamlined.

Owners appreciate efficient handovers that allow them to access all necessary asset information. They reduce the time needed for onboarding facilities management teams and bringing the building online. The quality of the documentation provided during handover can significantly affect long-term operational success.

5. Asset Management

Building owners need to manage various assets throughout the lifecycle of their construction projects. These assets include materials like concrete and steel, equipment such as air handling units and elevators, and moveable equipment like forklifts. Owners must be able to track and visualize these components from the design phase through commissioning and handover.

Effective asset management tools allow owners to monitor installation progress, equipment usage, quality, and commissioning data in real time. This visibility helps to minimize downtime and optimize the use of resources, which is key to maintaining the profitability of the building.

6. Operations and Facilities Management

From the initial design to the final handover, owners are focused on how their new building will operate efficiently. Having a clear, streamlined process for connecting teams, data and workflows ensures that the building is brought online efficiently and performs as intended.

Efficient facilities maintenance and operations planning allows owners to transition from the construction phase with confidence. Using a centralized platform can help streamline operations. It enables the building to achieve its intended performance outcomes, resulting in cost savings and better tenant experiences.

7. Quality Management

Maintaining high quality standards throughout the construction process is a top priority for building owners. Rework due to quality issues can be costly and time-consuming.

Owners want a way to identify potential constructability issues early on, particularly during the preconstruction phase, so they can avoid rework later.

Quality management tools help owners track and resolve issues as they arise, keeping the project on track and within budget. By having greater visibility into potential quality concerns, owners can work with their teams to ensure the building meets desired standards.

8. Schedule and Cost Control

Building owners are keenly focused on controlling both the schedule and the cost of their projects. Delays or budget overruns can significantly impact overall profitability. Owners benefit from having real-time visibility into project risks and progress, enabling them to forecast and manage costs more effectively.

Centralizing cost management in a cloud-based platform helps streamline budgeting across multiple projects, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and that owners have the information they need to keep the project on schedule.

Building owners are becoming more proactive and data driven in their approach to construction projects. By prioritizing data analytics, design collaboration, asset management, and quality control, owners are better equipped to bring projects in on time and within budget while ensuring long-term operational success. Leveraging tools like Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro helps owners stay involved throughout the entire project lifecycle, ultimately leading to higher profitability and enhanced customer satisfaction.

Learn tips for better projects in the guide, “Ways to Deliver Better Projects Using BIM Collaborate Pro,” by GRAITEC Group.