Dodge Data & Analytics, Hamilton, N.J., and its partner Bentley Systems Inc., Exton, Pa., released the first of a two-part report series focusing on digital technology strategies among civil contractors. This first report, “Going Digital: Modeling, Scheduling and Field/Project Management for Civil Construction SmartMarket Brief,” looks at model-based technology and field/project management software.

The report’s findings show that, while civil contractors have a sizable opportunity to improve their outcomes with wider technology adoption, 39% of them currently don’t use field/project management software, and 66% don’t use model-based technology.

“Use of modeling tools is relatively low, and among those using them, only one automated workflow, model-based quantity takeoff for estimating is widely employed,” according to the report. “When reviewing several other workflows (such as simulations for RFP/business development communications or digital as-built handovers to owners), the study found that only about 30% to 40% of the respondents actually using model-based technologies currently employ any of these other activities.”

The report explores the reasons for this underusage and offers ways to help make the tools more effective in the future.

The report added that the contractors using these tools consistently report deriving a high level of value from them, and once deployed, they use these workflows on the majority of their projects.

“We know that the U.S. needs to make major investments in infrastructure over the next few years,” said Steve Jones, Dodge’s senior director of industry insights research. “As the amount of work increases and as the workforce and supply chain challenges continue to plague the industry, contractors need ways to maximize their productivity, have dependable schedules, and have reliable levels of profit.”

According to the report, those using field/project management software report a number of benefits:

• 93% experience at least a moderate (or higher) impact through reduction of schedule delays; 34% claim high or very high impact.

• 65% of contractors believe that these tools reduce the risk of construction cost overruns.

• 61% report that they derive a high or very high value from their project data.

While improved schedule performance is a top driver of value, improved labor productivity, cost predictability/profitability and reduced costs are also notable project benefits.

The study also revealed that even moderate levels of implementation still yield critical benefits for project outcomes, including reduced rework, improved schedule performance, improved understanding of the project by stakeholders and increased profitability. In addition, 83% of civil contractors report that using these tools provides a notable impact on the reduction of project schedule delays.

The study examined the attitudes of those not yet using these tools. Nonusers have a particularly high interest in field/project management tools, with 46% frequently considering using it, and 17% strongly considering it.

There is more hesitation among those not using model-based technology, with 45% occasionally thinking about using it and 27% frequently considering it. Most nonusers would prefer to realize the benefits from both types of tools to more actively pursue implementation.

“As demand for infrastructure increases and projects become more complex, the industry (i.e., contractors) will not be able to deliver and close the gap between supply and demand for infrastructure by doing things the same way,” said Richard Humphrey, vice president of product management for Bentley Systems. “Civil contractors will need to accelerate their adoption of model-based and mobile technology to meet these challenges and not get left behind.”