See how digital tools can help AEC businesses streamline processes, maximise internal talent and deliver more efficiently
Construction urgently needs more people. Since the global financial crisis in 2008, the size of the workforce has been in steady decline. The Covid-19 pandemic made it even worse. In the first quarter of 2024, total employment in UK construction stood at around two million people. The number of directly employed workers dropped 10% from 2019, while there was a 16% decrease in self-employed workers.
The gap widens as skilled workers retire and fewer young professionals enter the sector. Research by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) estimates an extra 251,500 construction workers will be needed by 2028 to meet the expected demand levels in the UK.
But help is at hand. Construction software is helping businesses to improve their productivity and deliver projects in new ways.
Here are four ways businesses can use software to help drive efficiencies and plug gaps when labour is in short supply:
1. Help sites run more smoothly
Key digital tools that can boost efficiency include:
- Building Information Modelling (BIM): 70% of construction businesses use BIM. The ability to optimise designs and produce more precise material estimates helps to control costs and detect potential design issues earlier in the process.
- Digital surveying technologies, drones and point scanning: Help keep track of project progress before, during and after construction.
- Sensors: Accurately monitor everything from environmental conditions, quality and noise to worker health and safety. This creates real-time data for proactive management of site conditions and a deeper understanding of site trends so improvements can be made where needed.
- Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR): Makes sure construction work is delivered in line with designs, while reducing the risk of problems or rework later.
- Digital passports: Part of the recommendations from the Industry Training Board (ITB) Review (January 2025), these will make it easier to check the competency and credentials of people working on-site.
2. Improve business operations
- Financial software: Helps businesses keep track of invoicing and payments so there’s always enough cash on hand.
- Document management systems, HR software and marketing tools: Simplifies and speeds up workflows.
- Digitisation: Reduces the carbon and cost of printing hard copy documents.
- Virtual spaces: Software like Bluebeam Revu helps people work in shared, virtual spaces, cutting travel time.
3. Better collaboration
Coordination is one of the largest challenges in any project. Cloud-based platforms like Bluebeam offer real-time collaboration so everyone has access to the latest project updates, designs and documents. They especially help to:
- Break down silos between teams and foster more transparent communication.
- Provide real-time data from any device, at any time, to anyone in the business for better reporting.
- Allow multiple stakeholders to easily work on the same set of documents in a live environment, ensuring that all changes are visible and traceable and reducing risk of errors.
- Reduce delays associated with emailing PDFs or relying on physical markups.
- Speed up decision-making
4. Augment work
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the way construction businesses work. Our recent Building the Future: Bluebeam AEC Technology Outlook 2025 research shows that there has been significant investment in AI by architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) companies globally. 74% of them are using AI within one or more phases of their building projects.
One example of AI in construction software is with project scheduling. AI can optimise areas like labour, equipment usage and materials ordering, and predict delays and test alternatives. This helps businesses improve risk management and find the fastest or most cost-effective route. Businesses also use AI through mainstream tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot.
How to bring technology in
If your business is considering new software solutions to meet a gap in skills or resources, here are some key questions you should ask:
- What are you trying to achieve?
- How will this improve project delivery?
- What do you need to change internally from a skills, process and technology perspective?
Once the decision is made to invest in technology, a successful rollout is key. People learn in different ways, so consider a range of training options like practical on-the-job training or bite-sized chunks on-demand. Either way, try to be flexible and provide enough time for people to make the switch to the new way of working.
Many software providers will help with this implementation, which is valuable if you’re resource-constrained. At Bluebeam, we offer direct and self-driven training options so people can get up to speed as quickly as possible.
A better business
By automating tasks, streamlining processes and finding software-powered solutions, businesses can start to bridge the labour gap.
Working in the cloud creates a wealth of opportunities, bringing talent together to work on the projects – wherever they are. Cloud-based tools can also outsource some business functions, allowing you to focus on project delivery.
Real-time data improves transparency and communication between teams. It also reduces the time needed to check that you’re working on the latest documents. This can help businesses manage risk and have better oversight on projects, which is essential if headcount is an issue.
While not a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of your teams, software can help you manage your projects more effectively and deliver more with less. And, if you can recruit more, you’ll still have the efficiency gains from using software, giving you room to grow the business and improve your margins.
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*Please note that this is a commercial profile.
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