How Technology Can Help Contractors Prevent Lawsuits
Date Posted: October 3, 2019
Posted In: Ideas,
From Construction Dive: Adoption of project management and data collection technology will not only make contractors’ operations more efficient but could reduce the risk of litigation as well, according to Resolution Management Consultants of Marlton, New Jersey.
Three main construction technology categories that have the biggest potential to reduce the chances of contractors and owners fighting it out in court are scheduling software, 3D modeling tools and data collection devices.
Though not foolproof, the use of these digital tools will help team members better plan and execute on their projects, which, in itself, is likely to reduce the number of disputes, the construction consulting firm said.
Resolution Management’s take on the impact technology is having on construction disputes is backed up by a report from Arcadis, which found that more project teams are using digital tools such as project management information systems, BIM and digital data field collection to prevent and, if necessary, resolve conflicts.
Jim Gallagher, principal at Resolution Management, told Construction Dive that since it has taken the construction industry longer to adopt the latest technologies, it has endured more disputes than other industries. And when clients are in the midst of mediation, arbitration or litigation, access to accurate and timely information will help contractors achieve more positive outcomes in their legal fights.
The proliferation of tech options, Gallagher said, has lowered the price point for many tools as well, so there’s no longer an excuse for smaller contractors not to take advantage of them.
Still, technology can’t solve all issues, no matter how good the technology.