The use of innovative technology, and in particular, drones are becoming more common on construction projects.
We take a look at how utilising drones on construction projects can help avoid costly and time-consuming disputes later down the line:
- Providing a different perspective of a project
With a variety of types of drones and a multitude of sensors on the market, drones are becoming a valuable tool within the construction industry.
Not only do drones capture data, they can also provide new perspectives on projects. With the right combination and specification of drone and sensor(s), aerial data can be used throughout the project lifecycle, this opens up the opportunity to utilise drones to record, capture, monitor and analyse everything which occurs during the construction of a project.
- Improving project reporting and dispute resolution
With comprehensive coverage of a site and a variety of different outputs, drones make it easy to track and report construction progress. Images of construction progress can be overlaid and analysed to provide a direct comparison of construction progress, support tolerance and build checks as well as provide a non-subjective insight into the actual situation.
This form of monitoring and reporting construction progress, when undertaken at regular intervals also provides time stamped records which can be drawn upon should a dispute arise. In these instances drone data from specific dates and locations provides a verifiable visual record, rather than relying on site diaries, staff testimonies and email chains.
- De-risking
Drone data informs construction and can also be leveraged to highlight potential hazards and breaches of health and safety, ultimately assisting the prevention of accidents and near misses.
Should the worst happen, and an accident occur on site, drone data can be leveraged to provide insights into the how and why, establishing what happened and how it can be prevented from happening in the future.
In Summary
Construction projects by their very nature are extremely complex, not only in terms of build aspects but also the many relationships and interdependencies which they bring to a project through from procurement, logistics and contractual requirements.
Whilst traditional forms of reporting have been utilised for years, history shows us the many shortfalls which are highlighted in this when a dispute arises. It’s for this very reason that having non-subjective time stamped data which provide visual insights and measurable information can quickly bring conclusive closure to a dispute.
The focus of this article has been primarily on disputes and dispute resolution, however it is important to highlight that regular monitoring and measurement of a project using a drone can also mitigate the chance of a dispute occurring. The instant and invaluable insights drones provide enable the project stakeholders to rapidly identify emerging and potential issues and put in place preventative or measures. The use of drones in this manner therefore brings the additional benefit of dispute mitigation.