Introduction

Construction is a notoriously manual sector, but as well as being an expensive industry to operate in, it’s also one that has been plagued with issues around productivity and quality control. GDP From Construction in India averaged 2282.13 INR Billion from 2011 until 2022, reaching an all-time high of 3382.83 INR Billion in the first quarter of 2022. In general, the construction industry sees high levels of costs and time spent on processes due to its reliance on manually intensive activities and lack of standardization of activities across projects.

Reducing the number of manual tasks and automating repetitive processes are two key strategies for reducing cost and increasing efficiency within any organization.

Construction firms can implement robotic process automation (RPA) — a subset of artificial intelligence — as a way to reduce the amount of time spent on manual actions, increase consistency and streamline workflow processes. In this article, we look at how RPA can benefit your construction firm by reducing human error and streamlining workflows.

What is Robotic Process Automation?

RPA is a form of software that mimics the actions of a human.

It is commonly used in business process management to automate the performance of continuous or discrete processes that are either repetitive or rule-based. It has the ability to integrate with existing software and can be used to replace manual activities across your organization through the use of computer programs that are designed to automate certain processes. Some of the key characteristics of RPA are:

• It’s a software-based process that replicates the actions of a human operator by recording and interpreting existing processes in order to automate them.
• It typically operates within an existing business process and is designed to mimic human actions such as data entry and retrieval and document processing.
• It can be implemented on a single computer or across the organization through a central hub.
• RPA can be deployed to automate a range of manual tasks such as data entry, business process management, and customer service.

Benefits of Robotic Process Automation in Construction

RPA can deliver a range of benefits to construction firms, including reduced costs, improved efficiencies, and improved customer satisfaction. Some of the key areas where RPA can be implemented are discussed below: -

Increased Efficiency: RPA can be used to manage workflow and routine processes, which can reduce the amount of time spent on manual procedures and improve cycle times. This can reduce the amount of time spent on tasks such as data entry and document processing by up to 90%, according to one study.

Increased Productivity: Robotic automation can help to increase the productivity of your workforce by reducing the time spent on manual procedures and improving the accuracy of these activities. This can enable your organization to meet aggressive timelines, reduce project costs, and improve the quality of your outputs.

Reduced Risk of Human Error: Manual workflows are prone to human error, which is extremely costly in a construction environment where timelines and budgets are tight. RPA can help to reduce the risk of human error by replicating the actions of a human operator, improving accuracy and consistency by reducing the amount of time spent on manual processes, and increasing capacity during peak periods.

Reduced Risk of Repetition Strain Injury: Manual tasks such as data entry and inspections can be a risk to the health and well-being of your team. RPA can be used to reduce the risk of repetitive strain and other injuries by replicating the actions of a human operator.

Decreased Costs: The implementation of RPA can help to reduce the costs associated with repetitive manual work by enabling organizations to outsource the work to a third party.

Key Areas Where RPA Can Be Implemented

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Although the benefits outlined above are many, this doesn’t mean that RPA is a ‘one size fits all solution. Instead, it should be implemented strategically in key areas of your business to get the best results.

Customer Service: Automating customer service processes can help to reduce the time your team spends on routine activities such as documenting complaints and handling returns. This can help to improve the responsiveness of your team and increase customer satisfaction by reducing the time it takes to complete these tasks.

Document Management: RPA can be used to manage the flow of documents across your business by replicating the actions of a human operator. This can include activities such as scanning, filing, and retrieving documents from databases.

Human Resources: RPA can be used to manage recruitment, onboarding, and training activities. This can help to reduce the administrative burden on HR staff and improve the efficiency of these activities. — Project Management: RPA can be used to manage the project-related activities of your team such as document management, event management, and issue management.

Conclusion

Despite being a manual industry, where each project is different and requires human judgment, construction can benefit enormously from implementing robotic process automation. RPA can be used to streamline workflow, reduce time spent on manual procedures, increase productivity, and reduce the risk of human error. However, as with any technology, there will be challenges in implementation. Businesses should partner with a Robotic Process Automation partner like Desapex with the experience and expertise in building these systems.

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