2026 Top 9 Trends and Priorities for Construction
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View Our Research and Analyst ServicesTop Priorities for 2026
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01
Initiate strategic business-IT synergy
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02
Structure IT for construction excellence
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03
Empower construction through strategic workforce development
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04
Develop a strategy for IT/OT integration
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05
Optimize supply chains
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06
Unlock the potential of digital transformation
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07
Strengthen cybersecurity practices
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08
Revolutionize construction with BIM integration
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09
Drive success with site mobility technology
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Initiate strategic business-IT synergy
The Challenge
Align IT-business strategies in construction.
Construction organizations vary widely in scale and scope, making it challenging to develop an IT strategy that aligns with the entire value stream. The workforce is often resistant to change, complicating the implementation of new IT initiatives. Additionally, the construction process involves numerous regulations and permits, which can be difficult to manage and comply with, increasing customer demands and further complicating company strategic planning.
Why It Matters
Drive efficiency and competitive advantage.
In a dynamic and project-oriented industry like construction, a well-aligned IT strategy enables better resource management, improves project outcomes, and ensures that IT serves as a catalyst for innovation and growth. This strategic approach positions the CIO as a key business enabler integral to risk mitigation and company success.
The Solution
Develop a business-aligned IT strategy
Prioritize the development of an IT strategy that aligns with the business objectives, ensuring that technology serves as a lever for operational excellence and competitive edge. This involves advocating for IT investments that support the company's financial goals and demonstrate clear ROI.
Ensure robust compliance
Enforce robust data protection and regulatory adherence to safeguard the company's financial and reputational integrity. This includes managing the numerous regulations and permits required throughout the building process.
Structure IT for construction excellence
The Challenge
Untangle IT complexity in construction.
Construction operations are inherently complex, often leading to decentralized decision-making and strategy development. Integrating various teams to support organizational growth is crucial yet challenging. Additionally, the industry relies heavily on legacy solutions, making the integration of new IT solutions difficult.
Why It Matters
Fuel agility and innovation for strategic advantage.
Craft an IT structure that supports rapid decision-making and adapts to the unique project-driven nature of construction. Effective operating models enable the seamless integration of new technologies, driving innovation and maintaining a competitive edge. Fostering collaboration also improves workflow efficiency and project management, ensuring consistent IT delivery that supports strategic business outcomes.
The Solution
Create a flexible IT structure
Tailor IT's organization and operating models to the construction industry's unique demands. This involves creating a flexible IT structure that accelerates decision-making and adapts to project-centric workflows.
Integrate cutting-edge technologies
Seamlessly integrate new technologies with existing systems to enhance overall performance and project outcomes, fostering innovation and retaining a competitive advantage.
Empower construction through strategic workforce development
The Challenge
Bridge the talent gap in construction.
The industry is grappling with a workforce that is resistant to change and content with the current state of their jobs. This makes it difficult to train and upskill them. Additionally, the number of young professionals choosing construction as a career path has been on a steady decline. Training to improve talent can be challenging and costly, further complicating the situation.
Why It Matters
Build and secure the future with skilled talent.
Investing in talent development means creating a team capable of implementing and leveraging IT solutions that drive efficiency and innovation on construction projects. This fosters a culture of continuous learning and employees who are equipped to handle the evolving technological landscape. Not only does this enhance operational efficiency, but it also attracts and retains top talent, which is crucial in a competitive labor market.
The Solution
Create comprehensive training programs
Actively engage in workforce/talent development to ensure teams are proficient with the latest digital tools and data analytics. Creating a comprehensive training program, promoting continuous learning, and providing opportunities for professional growth will create a workforce adept at using IT systems.
Focus on talent acquisition
Target young professionals and provide them with the necessary training and development opportunities to thrive in the construction industry. This will attract individuals with the right skill set and mind set for a digital-first environment.
Develop a strategy for IT/OT integration
The Challenge
Navigate information technology and operational technology integration.
Throughout the project lifecycle, numerous operational technologies are used, making it difficult to identify which processes can be improved through IT. The cost of integration can be high, and understanding the ROI or conducting cost-benefit analysis is often challenging. Additionally, finding skilled individuals to operate and manage these technologies is difficult due to the labor shortage.
Why It Matters
Transform construction with seamless data flows.
Foster a seamless flow of data across various systems, enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making. IT/OT convergence enables real-time monitoring and management of construction projects, leading to improved safety, reduced costs, and timely project delivery. This integration also supports the adoption of emerging technologies like AI, machine learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT), which can predict maintenance needs, optimize resource usage, and prevent costly downtime. This is not just a technological upgrade, but a business imperative in today's fast-paced construction landscape.
The Solution
Develop a strategic roadmap
Prioritize the integration of IT and OT by developing a strategic roadmap that aligns with the organization's goals. This involves investing in scalable and secure platforms that facilitate data exchange between IT and OT systems.
Upskill the workforce
Focus on upskilling the workforce to handle advanced technologies and foster a culture of continuous innovation. Collaborate with stakeholders, including project managers and field workers, to ensure that the IT/OT integration meets practical needs.
Optimize supply chains
The Challenge
Streamline complex supply chains.
Customer demands are becoming increasingly complex, with a focus on speed and reliability. Optimizing supply chains helps meet these demands, but it can be challenging due to the numerous moving parts and multiple suppliers involved. Ensuring an undisrupted flow of work requires careful coordination and integration.
Why It Matters
Build a lean and responsive supply chain.
Supply chain optimization is essential as it directly correlates with the strategic use of technology to enhance project outcomes. Creating a lean and responsive supply chain through the integration of digital tools can lead to significant cost savings and efficiency gains. This involves, analyzing data to forecast demand, manage inventory, and streamline supplier relationships, reducing waste and improving the bottom line.
The Solution
Adopt real-time tracking and inventory management
Adopt and integrate software solutions for real-time tracking, inventory management, and supplier coordination. This will ensure timely availability of materials and improve overall efficiency.
Leverage data for demand forecasting
Utilize data analytics to forecast demand accurately and manage inventory levels effectively. This helps maintain a steady flow of materials and resources, ensuring that projects progress smoothly.
Unlock the potential of digital transformation
The Challenge
Manage the impact and pressure of the technological revolution.
With the numerous moving pieces throughout the construction value chain, the risk of data breaches increases. The workforce often resists change, and legacy systems make digital transformation difficult. Additionally, managing and analyzing new data alongside existing data can be complex. However, to shift toward autonomous construction, embracing digital transformation is essential.
Why It Matters
Innovate or fall behind.
Digital tools enable the automation of manual processes, optimization of resource allocation, and predictive maintenance of equipment, which are key to staying competitive in a rapidly evolving industry. Moreover, data analytics facilitates better project forecasting and client reporting, ensuring transparency and building trust.
The Solution
Craft a vision aligned with strategic objectives
Actively champion digital transformation and data analytics by crafting a vision that aligns with the company's strategic objectives. This involves investing in robust technology infrastructures that support big data and analytics capabilities.
Foster a data-centric culture
Promote data literacy and encourage the use of analytics in decision-making processes. Establish partnerships with tech vendors and service providers to help stay ahead of the curve in digital innovations.
Strengthen cybersecurity practices
The Challenge
The ever-evolving and complex cyber threat landscape.
Cybersecurity is an ongoing mission, not a static checkbox. AI advancements are fueling an evolving threat landscape that poses significant risks, including financial losses, regulatory fines, and damage to organizational reputation. Additionally, the construction process relies on extreme accuracy, so data breaches can lead to detrimental results.
Why It Matters
Safeguard information and organizational resilience.
A resilient cybersecurity strategy not only prevents financial loss and reputational damage but also ensures regulatory compliance. It's crucial for maintaining business continuity, as any downtime caused by a cyber incident can lead to significant project delays and cost overruns. Ensure the organization is prepared to respond to and recover from cyber incidents, minimizing impact and maintaining stakeholder trust.
The Solution
Implement comprehensive security protocols
Approach cybersecurity resilience proactively, recognizing that it is a cornerstone of the construction industry's digital health. Implement comprehensive security protocols to shield project data, financials, and client information. The rise of IoT and cloud technologies requires robust cybersecurity strategies to handle the increased risk of breaches.
Conduct regular risk assessments and training
Business continuity is paramount. CIOs must develop incident response plans that enable quick recovery from cyber events to prevent costly project delays. This involves conducting regular risk assessments, training employees on security best practices, and adopting cutting-edge security technologies.
Revolutionize construction with BIM integration
The Challenge
Conquer the building information management (BIM) maze.
Selecting the right BIM system for specific use cases can be challenging due to the vast number of options available, making it hard to choose the best fit. Different BIMs offer different benefits and switching from current legacy solutions to a new BIM can be a difficult change for companies.
Why It Matters
Be a pioneer in construction innovation with BIM integration.
A BIM is a strategic asset that enhances collaboration across all project phases, from design to operation. It allows for more accurate planning, cost estimates, and risk assessments, leading to fewer errors and rework. Ultimately BIMs help deliver projects with greater precision and efficiency, position firms at the forefront of the industry's digital evolution, and meet the increasing demand for smart building solutions.
The Solution
Ensure proficiency in BIM software
Lead the integration of BIM into all project phases, promoting its use for enhanced visualization, simulation, and analysis. Additionally, ensure teams are trained and proficient in using BIM software and methodologies.
Establish clear data governance policies
Manage the wealth of information a BIM provides and ensure its security through clear data governance policies. Collaborate with architects, engineers, and contractors to standardize BIM practices across projects to establish consistency and reliability in project delivery.
Drive success with site mobility technology
The Challenge
Overcome barriers to site mobility.
The implementation of site mobility technology requires buy-in from all workers, which can be challenging to achieve. On-site workers may resist new practices, leading to rework needed for the integration of this technology. Additionally, finding an appropriate strategy for implementation can be difficult.
Why It Matters
Elevate construction processes with mobile tech.
Mobile technology simplifies project management by making all the necessary information readily accessible, thus streamlining processes and boosting productivity. As construction projects become more complex, the ability to communicate quickly, share documents, and update information on the go is essential. This is not just a convenience but a strategic asset for construction firms.
The Solution
Ensure proficiency in mobile technology
Prioritize equipping all workers with the necessary mobile devices and providing comprehensive training to ensure they can use the technology effectively. This involves integrating mobile tech into all project phases and promoting its use for real-time data collection, communication, and project management.
Implement robust security measures
Protect sensitive data transmitted via mobile devices by implementing robust security measures. This includes establishing clear data governance policies and ensuring that all mobile platforms used are secure and compliant with industry standards.
