By Ian Rogers, CEO and founder of Procync
I have spent much of my career helping clients fix projects that have gone off course. The story rarely changes; problems are spotted late, teams scramble to sort them out, and energy is wasted putting out fires that could have been avoided.
We call it project management, but unfortunately, most of the time it is crisis management. It is stressful, expensive and largely avoidable, the question is why we keep letting it happen.
The answer, I believe, lies in how we use information. Construction has always been good at reporting what has already happened, but not at seeing what is coming next. If we want to stop firefighting those disasters, we need to move from reactive reporting to proactive prevention. With the advent of AI and the Internet of Things, we finally have a real chance to do that.
Why we need to break the cycle
Delays and overspends are still too common. Research by nPlan found that 85.5% of large-scale construction projects in the UK are delivered late, with nearly two-thirds of them being delayed by at least two months. These numbers have barely changed in a decade.
Too often, problems are hidden behind lagging reports and slow information flow, by the time someone spots a risk, it is already too late to avoid the cost. The industry has become used to reacting, and in doing so, it has normalised waste.
The potential of AI and IoT
By using various AI applications, reporting can be brought up to the current status and start to predict where problems might occur, so avoiding actions can be taken a lot earlier, potentially preventing issues, delays and cost issues arising in the first place.
IoT technology can help change that; high-tech sensors can now track temperature, vibration, equipment use and material conditions. Instead of waiting for weekly updates, teams can see what is happening in real time with precise data.
It is even possible to embed monitors directly into concrete and structural elements to measure concrete curing, movement or stress. This gives an immediate picture of how materials are performing, allowing small problems to be addressed long before they become large ones.
IoT is often seen as a tool for building operations and maintenance, but its value stretches across the full lifecycle of a commercial real estate project. If it is incorporated early in design, it can have a limited cost impact on the build phase while delivering major long-term benefits in operation. Systems designed with IoT in mind from the start have the potential to improve building performance, energy use and asset management for years after completion.
In one UK pilot supported by the Manufacturing Technology Centre, connected sensors helped contractors reduce site safety incidents by 20% and cut rework by 15%. Network Rail is also experimenting with the use of IOT to predict maintenance needs and prevent failures, showing the power of data-led prevention work.
People still make prevention possible
I believe it’s important to acknowledge that technology alone will not make projects smarter. IoT provides the information, but people turn that information into action.
The biggest barrier to prevention is not a lack of data but a lack of willingness to act early. Many teams wait until a problem is visible to everyone before they move. By that point, the fix is more expensive and the pressure is higher.
Preventive management needs a culture where raising issues early is seen as a strength, where leaders value transparency over blame. When AI and IoT insights are shared openly, everyone can see the same information and understand decisions. That, in turn, builds accountability and trust across the team.
Embracing a digital way of working
The full potential of AI and IoT will only be realised if it sits within a wider digital approach to project delivery. When data is integrated with design, planning and operations, project managers gain a much clearer view of risk, performance and progress.
Embracing digital delivery improves a manager’s ability to make good decisions. They can act on live data rather than waiting for lagging indicators, this shift from reactive to proactive thinking can make the difference between a project that struggles and one that succeeds.
Looking ahead
I am hopeful about where this is heading. IoT technology is becoming cheaper, more reliable and easier to use. Combined with cloud tools and better connectivity, it offers the chance to create truly intelligent construction projects.
Imagine a site where every piece of equipment and structure provides feedback in real time. Managers seeing trends developing and acting early, designers learning from accurate, live data. Clients can see progress that reflects the real site, acting early to prevent issues.
“Firefighting” has been part of construction culture for far too long. IoT and digital delivery give us the tools to change that. Prevention is not about replacing people with technology, it is about using technology to help people make better choices. If we can use IoT to predict problems instead of chasing them, we can deliver projects that perform better from start to finish. It is time to stop reacting and start preventing.
Read next: The AI-powered future of AECO: a stronger industry ahead – Build in Digital
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