Chapter 5: Learning from Other Industries

Construction is known to be one of the least digitised, least productive and least automated industries. With the many challenges the world faces with the necessary drive towards zero carbon and ever-increasing demand for new and better performing assets, the industry is under greater pressure than ever to change and move forwards. The added challenge the construction industry faces however is the pace of change. Transformations that have taken decades in some other sectors are needed in construction in the next 5 to 10 years if the industry is to deliver its contribution to carbon savings and support the forecast urbanisation and population growth. This chapter looks at how the construction industry compares with others, and what lessons can be learned from them including automation, digitalisation, industrialisation and systems thinking.