Computers in the Workplace

    Although I have very little experience with the construction industry, I have lived in some extremely old houses that were built before modern tools and computer blueprints - with hand-hewn beams and wooden pegs instead of nails.

    In a 1983 article by Murray A. Muspratt, he states “The impact of computers on the construction industry can occur during design, fabrication, and construction; this impact must be evaluated in terms of cost, speed, reliability, versatility, convenience, and user acceptance.” (Muspratt, M.A., 1983, 14(3), 45–52) He also noted the increasing use of computers as the prices of hardware had “decreased exponentially”. With the decrease in cost came an increase in the use of technology in the industry to the point where now, everything relies on technology and computers.

    “By automating tasks, reducing costs, and increasing accuracy, technology is changing the way construction projects are managed.” (Boesch, G., 2023, n.p.) “Building information modeling (BIM), virtual reality, and wearable technology are three of the most significant emerging technologies in the construction industry.” (Kimmy, 2022, n.p.)

    It’s important for people in the construction industry to be computer literate as almost all pieces of equipment and machinery have computers built into them, designs and blueprints are crafted, and project management is tracked through specialized software. Computerized sensors can be used to find weak spots in materials as well as to measure materials to exact specifications during building.

    With the addition of computers to the industry, the building process has gotten more precise, safer and faster over the years. Those in the construction industry need to keep up with developments as processes become more efficient. In the future, it is possible that we may see an even more automated construction industry as the use of robotics and artificial intelligence continues to expand.



References:
Boesch, G. (2023). 16 Applications of Computer Vision in Construction (2023 Guide). Viso.ai. https://viso.ai/applications/computer-vision-in-construction/#:~:text=Machine%20learning%20applications%20can%20be,the%20volume%20of%20construction%20materialsLinks to an external site..

Kimmy (2022, March 27). Computers In Construction. KyinBridges. https://www.kyinbridges.com/how-are-computers-used-in-the-construction-industry/Links to an external site.

Muspratt, M. A. (1983). Computers for the construction industry. Project Management Quarterly, 14(3), 45–52. https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/computers-construction-industry-aided-capabilities-5703Links to an external site.