All industries in today’s world rely on technology to become more efficient and productive. The first step towards digitally transforming a company is taking a look into the enterprise systems; In construction, this would include systems such as CRM, RP System or P6 system. While there is nothing wrong with using tools such as excel to manage a business process, issues might arise when a lot of people are using these at the same time in the business. A much more standardised process is needed to help govern these, provide enhanced visibility, and avoid inefficiencies. Tools such as excel lack efficiency when it comes to data collection, data entry, security of the data, ability to collaborate, and interpretation and usage of data.
Current Challenges
The key challenges that project managers regularly are:
- Project delivery skillsets are not keeping up with the same level of advancing technologies in engineering disciplines.
- In very large projects there are multi-functional, multi-organisational teams that come together to work on projects and need to share working processes and information systems.
- It might be too costly to develop bespoke information systems for individual projects (or lack of support).
Low/No Code as a Solution
Low code/no code is a quick way to develop apps and opens up this process to non-technical personnel, allowing a quicker and bigger scale of digital transformation.
The characteristics of these low code and no-code platforms include:
- Visual interfaces which use the drag and drag options: Easy to get configured application with drag and drop features with the help of inbuilt codes.
- Composed of reusable components: Components such as charts within an application can be reused in a second application which enables you to save time.
- Provides instant deployment: Solutions can be instantly deployed once configured when compared to conventional software development methodologies.
- Easy to integrate systems: Because of the simplicity and existence of prebuilt templates, it makes it quick and easy to integrate with various systems in place without having to depend solely on the IT team.
- Works on mobile/offline mode: The device-agnostic nature makes it easier to run on multiple platforms and devices online as well as offline.
Benefits of Low and No Code
Out of the many benefits some are:
- Speed of development is relatively quicker
- Low cost
- Customised to your process
- Standardised working
- Secure and scalable
- Multi-language
- Visibility
- Collaboration
- Data quality
Expert opinion
“The more work we do within Construction and Infrastructure, the more we see a need for systems that are accessible by several organisations and promote a standardised way of working. Combining LogiKal’s industry and process expertise with Softools’ no code platform results in applications that provide the automation, collaboration and visibility required to keep projects on track” – Nick Bantick, Softools
Opportunity for low code development
When looking specifically at engineering construction there are different levels across the business that might benefit from the potential opportunities.
Starting with the high-level corporate processes, there can be a decisions and actions tracker in place.
1) Corporate processes – decisions and actions tracer, maturity assessment, quality and assurance, project proposals and change management.
2) Project/Programme management – Change management, Design document production, RFIs and RFQs, Bid/Procurement management and risk management.
3) Field – Snagging, testing, and inspecting records, materials/deliveries, stockpile management, site stores, health & safety incidents, and environmental incidents.
4) Supporting – Codes and breakdown master list, data mapping/transitions and standardised “catch-all” app development platform.
Conclusion
To summarise, the low/no-code provides a huge range of benefits when compared to the traditional tools such as excel etc. it opens a vast range of opportunities which can be beneficial to different sections throughout the organisation and help in simplifying the business process right from the highest level to the field level. Many of the current challenges faced by the project controls professionals can be easily resolved by bringing in and adopting a more standard way of working through the business processes and integrating the collaborative efforts of the team which also makes it easier to work as a team and monitor these actions for efficiency. This blog provides a glance at the insight provided in the recent webinar we hosted which you can watch here.
If you are interested in understanding how your business can benefit from low/no code solutions, get in touch with us!
You can email us at info@logikalprojects.com
or call on +44 (0)20 7404 4826 (UK & Europe) or +61 1300 564 452 (APAC)
Or you can use the Contact Us form here.
Adam is an Associate Director and the head of LogiKal's Technology Solution Business Unit.
