Construction teams are still relying heavily on spreadsheets to manage critical project data, despite widespread recognition that the approach is inefficient and error-prone.
In response to a poll question asked of the nearly 200 delegates who tuned in, ‘Where does your data live today?’, almost half the respondents answered Excel, while a quarter said disconnected systems.
Jacob Wardrop, chief commercial officer at EviFile, said the issue stems from increasing project complexity combined with pressure on resources. “There’s no lack of information on projects, but there’s a lack of coordination and structured data,” he explained. “Different disciplines have their own version of the truth, and when it comes to handover, it becomes a scramble.”
Wardrop noted that while spreadsheets offer flexibility, they often emerge when systems and processes fail under pressure. “When the pace and volume ramp up, teams revert to Excel because they need something that works immediately,” he said.
However, with growing demands from clients and the publication of recognised industry standards such as ISO 19650, there is more pressure on construction teams to define clear data requirements at the outset and ensure they are maintained throughout the project lifecycle.
More demanding clients
Grace Newey, digital deployment and adoption lead at AtkinsRéalis, said progress is being made as clients become more demanding. “Clients are becoming more switched on: ‘This is what we’ve asked for, and this is what we expect to receive at handover’,” she said. “That is pushing the industry forward.
“ISO 19650 has been in place for a number of years now, and this is becoming more and more of a common ask from clients, especially in the UK, but also globally. Clients are now aware that they should be asking for data and information in more structured and controlled ways.”
Both Wardrop and Newey stressed that good data management starts with clear ownership and accountability across the project team.
“Accountability is about ownership of the standard of data: when data quality has a clear owner – with accountability, support, and visibility – it becomes a shared priority that drives better outcomes for everyone,” said Wardrop.
The key to success
Newey added that successful projects share a common trait: “Having the buy-in from project leadership and individuals taking personal responsibility… that’s where we’ve seen the best successes.”
Another poll during the webinar showed the importance of behaviour in instigating improved data management. In response to the question, ‘Where is the biggest opportunity?’, the highest response (42%) was for people, ahead of technology (26%), process (22%) and time (10%).
“People, process, technologies are all important, but ultimately our business wouldn’t be operating were it not for the people,” said Wardrop. “Attitudes, behaviours, cultures within our teams, towards how we deliver digitally, is a super, super important part of all of this.”
