4 benefits of using a CDE

Why does your construction company need a Common Data Environment (CDE)?

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Sharepoint is not enough for your construction data

While the construction industry still lags in digitalisation, today’s fast-paced and data-driven world makes efficient information management necessary for all businesses. This is where Construction Data Environments (CDEs) come in – powerful tools that revolutionize how projects are planned, executed, and delivered.

This blog explores the key benefits of implementing a CDE within your construction company, demonstrating how it can enhance collaboration, improve efficiency, and ultimately drive greater success on projects. Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or a project manager seeking to streamline your workflows, this article offers tips on how to leverage the power of a CDE.

What is a CDE?

A Construction Data Environment (CDE) is a centralized, online platform designed specifically for the construction industry. It acts as a single source of truth for all project-related data, making it accessible to all authorized stakeholders.

Think of it as a secure and organized digital hub where architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, and owners can:

  • Store and share project data: This includes drawings, models (like Building Information Models – BIM), schedules, documents, photos, and more.
  • Collaborate effectively: Teams can easily communicate, share information, and track progress in real time.
  • Improve workflows: Streamline processes like document control, reviews, and issue resolution.
  • Enhance decision-making: Access to accurate and up-to-date information empowers teams to make informed decisions quickly and effectively.

Essentially, a CDE helps construction companies improve project efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance overall project success by providing a more streamlined and collaborative approach to data management.

What are the benefits of a CDE for a construction company?

Construction companies often grapple with significant challenges in managing project data. These include:

  • siloed information across different departments and teams
  • difficulty in controlling document versions
  • inefficient communication and coordination
  • a lack of visibility into project progress

This can lead to delays, errors, and increased costs. A CDE addresses these challenges.

Improved collaboration

 

A Common Data Environment (CDE) transforms how teams work together by fostering standardised processes, but also process-oriented collaboration. With a centralized repository for all project data—drawings, models, schedules, and documents—teams can seamlessly share information and eliminate bottlenecks caused by scattered data.

This improved collaboration ensures that everyone is aligned, promoting efficient teamwork and reducing miscommunication. Updates and version control ensure that all stakeholders are working with the most up-to-date information. This then helps them make faster decisions with greater confidence, as they can truly rely on the information at hand.

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Efficiency and time-savings

 

CDEs streamline workflows and bring efficiency to construction projects by automating repetitive tasks, such as document distribution and review and approval processes. These automated workflows and standardised, process-oriented collaboration simplify the way teams interact with data, reducing the time spent on manual administrative work.

With custom-defined filing and naming conventions, users can locate documents faster. These features work together to deliver substantial time savings and ensure projects stay on track.

Increased security

 

 

Managing sensitive construction data demands a high level of security, and CDEs are designed with this in mind. Built-in safeguards like easily configurable access controls, permissions, and encryption ensure that only authorized individuals can access or modify data. Additionally, automatic tracking of changes and updates maintains a full audit trail, eliminating any risk of data manipulation. These security measures not only protect your project data but also help build trust among stakeholders.

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Improved data management and compliance

 

 

With a CDE, the management of vast amounts of project data is made simple. The centralized repository ensures all project files are stored in one secure location in line with a standardized framework, offering clear version control and full traceability of changes. This reduces duplication and confusion while enhancing compliance with industry standards like ISO 19650. Furthermore, the ability to analyze and report on project data in real-time provides actionable insights, helping teams monitor progress and make fast data-driven decisions.

Traditional storage system vs. Common Data Environment (CDE)

Unfortunately, the construction industry is only now learning to embrace digitalisation and many companies are still using traditional, non-specialised storage systems.

The difference between a traditional storage system and a CDE lies in how they manage, store, and share data. While a traditional storage system relies on isolated silos, such as local servers, hard drives, or cloud platforms (Dropbox or Google Drive), a CDE is a centralized repository where all project-related data (models, drawings, documents, schedules) is stored. A CDE provides a “single source of truth”, ensuring everyone involved in the project accesses the same information.

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Limitations of SharePoint in construction projects

 

Out of these traditional storage solutions, SharePoint is among the most popular ones. It is, however, not an ideal choice – this table illustrates why.

 

As previously pointed out, a CDE offers superior functionality, with BIM integration, industry-specific features, and reliable collaboration tools. While SharePoint can be used for construction projects, using it efficiently will require workarounds and manual work. Even so, it will not be as efficient or effective as a dedicated CDE. In terms of costs, a CDE will require some investment which according to our customers usually pays off/ provides a positive ROI within a few months than SharePoint. However, the advantages are multiple.

Embracing the benefits of a CDE within the ThinkProject Built Asset Lifecycle Platform

The Thinkproject CDE solution is a part of the Thinkproject Built Asset Lifecycle Platform – an integrated solution that can be flexibly tailored to suit all needs.

This solution can be used to collect, manage and disseminate all project information, whether created in a BIM environment or in more conventional types such as documents, drawings, photos and similar. It also encompasses functionality of a Minutes solution, which can optimise efficiency by creating and managing meeting minutes.

Thinkproject CDE is suitable for the project needs of General Contractors, Project Developers, Building and Facility owners, and Energy & Utilities as well as Infrastructure projects of all sizes.

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Learn more about how this solution can benefit your project, by scheduling a custom demo.

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