Case Study: Laing O'Rourke

Overview

The Problem: The Analog Disconnect in Modern Construction

Historically, the construction industry has faced significant productivity challenges stemming from a disconnect between digital design information and on-site execution. Key problems include:

• Information Silos

  Critical project information, including the latest design drawings, specifications, and schedules, was often trapped on paper or in siloed desktop systems in the site office. This created a significant lag in information flow to the workers at the actual workface.

• Reliance on Paper-Based Workflows

  Frontline teams relied on stacks of 2D paper drawings, which were difficult to interpret, quickly became outdated with design revisions, and made tracking progress or quality issues cumbersome and inefficient.

• Inefficient Quality and Safety Inspections

  Quality assurance, safety checks, and progress reporting were traditionally done with pen, paper, and a separate camera. This led to duplicated data entry, delayed reporting, lost information, and a slow, reactive approach to resolving on-site issues.

• Lack of Real-Time Visibility

  Project managers and clients had limited real-time visibility into the status of work on-site. Reports were often days or weeks old, making proactive decision-making difficult and hindering the ability to anticipate and mitigate risks.

The Solution: BuiltView application

Laing O'Rourke developed the BuiltView app to solve these issues by empowering its site teams with a single, intuitive mobile platform. The solution is built on several key features:

• Federated 3D Model Access

  BuiltView provides field teams with direct access to the latest, fully detailed 3D project models on their tablets or smartphones. This allows them to visualize complex designs, interrogate components, and understand how different elements fit together in a way that is impossible with 2D drawings.

• Digital Work Packs and Checklists

  The app digitizes the entire workflow for on-site tasks. It delivers digital "work packs" to teams, which include all necessary drawings, models, and specifications. It also incorporates digital checklists for quality assurance and safety inspections, ensuring that work is completed and verified against the correct standards.

• Real-Time Data Capture and Reporting

  Using the app, site engineers and supervisors can instantly record progress, log inspections, and raise any issues (with photos and notes) directly from their device. This data is geotagged and instantly uploaded to the central project database, eliminating paperwork and delays.

• Seamless Integration

  BuiltView is integrated with Laing O'Rourke’s wider digital ecosystem. The data captured on-site feeds directly into project management dashboards, providing a "single source of truth" and enabling real-time monitoring of project health, from progress and quality to safety and cost.

The Impact: Driving Certainty, Productivity, and Safety

The deployment of BuiltView across Laing O'Rourke's projects has had a profound and measurable impact, fundamentally changing how work is planned, executed, and assured.

• Dramatically Improved Productivity

  By providing instant access to accurate information and digitizing workflows, the app has significantly reduced wasted time spent searching for drawings or correcting errors. Teams can work more efficiently and with greater confidence, leading to faster project delivery.

• Enhanced Quality and Reduced Rework

  The use of digital checklists and real-time issue logging has led to a "right first time" culture. Quality issues are identified and resolved faster, dramatically reducing the need for costly and time-consuming rework.

• A Step-Change in Health and Safety

  Digital safety checklists and the ability to instantly report hazards have made safety protocols more robust and transparent. This proactive approach helps to identify and mitigate risks before they can cause harm.

• Unprecedented Project Certainty

  With a live, data-rich view of on-site activities, project leaders, clients, and stakeholders have unparalleled certainty regarding project status. This enables better decision-making, risk management, and ultimately, greater confidence in delivering complex projects on time and on budget.

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