Opportunity for change - Even in the way of managing projects and spaces
The recent world-wide events represent a challenge for our society. This results in a further push to build a sustainable and safe future for all.
As for the spaces where people work and meet, the challenge is twofold:
On the one hand, it is necessary to Read the unfolding changes and react translating them in concrete design solutions to adapt in the short and medium-long term. To a need for immediate security are added necessary developments in the products handling, people interaction as well as technological integrations that will be specific to each industry and organization.
On the other hand, and this on a horizontal level on different industries, it becomes even more important to manage project implementation activities and the future management of spaces effectively and efficiently, to respond to increasingly stringent business needs:
To intervene horizontally on networks, in a cultural and economic scenario with uncertainties, imposes the need to work even more carefully on various aspects in the management of interventions:
Design: standardize the elements of the project on the basis of a careful analysis of the state of affairs and of the performance requirements to exploit economies of scale and avoid rework
Scheduling: clarify the methods of intervention to make the commitment of customer and supplier resources more efficient, ensuring compliance with deadlines
Control: Use tools that allow you to reduce displacements while maintaining or increasing the level of control
HOW TO GET THIS SHIFT?
We believe that the adaptation of project development and control tools can take place in a similar way to what has happened with the massive adoption of home-working in recent months. Despite the effort for mental change, it is probably sufficient to use existing tools to abandon some established habits and improve the efficiency of many processes.
Following BUILT experience in developing projects on large RETAIL networks at an international level, we identify three "areas" of simple but innovative tools which, combined with traditional professional skills, can lead to a sensitive difference with zero-to-little effort :
CLOUD SHARING
It seems trivial to say, but still many projects are based on the exchange of files via email, with different archives among different consultants, business functions and suppliers. The implementation of a simple cloud archive with hierarchical access and a verification dashboard can make the difference both to facilitate supervision and to standardize information while aligning all stakeholders effortlessly.
BIM
Building Information Modeling , more popular for civil or large-scale projects, also brings significant advantages in the retail sector. The parametric study of the elements of the concept, the creation of templates for the application of the concept and the use of 3d scans of the actual state brings significant advantages in terms of precision and speed of the design process.
These same advantages become further strengths during the construction and space management phase, thanks to the creation of a single model / database from which it is possible to control not only the technical and maintenance aspects but also manage "soft" aspects such as management of products, communication and temporary elements, usually managed in a fragmented way between the various company functions and suppliers.
REMOTE COLLABORATION
Whether on small or big-scale project, standardizing a process for the archiving by the Contractor of the photographic and documentary information, guarantees a greater and above all consistent level of control over the whole process of construction.
This, combined with "out of the box" solutions, such as the help of other on-site personnel, or the use of technologies for remote checks, allows the reduction of travelling which, in these times, also constitutes an act of responsibility social.
IF LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS..
Returning to the analogy with the application of smart-working, the recent developments will also leave many lasting positive aspects.
This is probably the best time for companies to question not only the use of their spaces, but the way in which they are designed, built and managed.
We are convinced that this will lead not only to efficiency in the short term, but also to the possibility of managing networks in a more integrated way and being more responsive to a world and a market that is increasingly evolving.
