The SICA Forum 2018, organized by the Construction Industry Development Board, Malaysia (CIDB), marks its fourth year with a focus on the transformative potential of Big Data in the construction sector. Last year’s theme, “Capitalising Big Data, Optimising Productivity,” highlighted the need for the industry to evolve traditional business intelligence solutions to enhance operations. The keynote address emphasized how Big Data Analytics can revolutionize society by enabling precise micro-targeting and changing the dynamics of mass communication.

Technological disruption is a constant in today’s digital age, affecting various industries, including construction. The keynote speaker illustrated this by referencing the rapid rise of platforms like Alibaba and social media giants such as Facebook and Instagram. The construction industry, familiar with technological advancements, is now seeing the integration of innovations like 3D printing, Building Information Modelling (BIM), and Industrialised Building Systems (IBS). These technologies, combined with Big Data, can significantly improve cost estimates, project outcomes, productivity, safety, and risk management.

The forum’s theme, “Building A Big Data Community For Construction In Malaysia,” underscores the importance of leveraging Big Data to identify construction trends and make informed decisions. The discussions aimed to provide insights into how Big Data can benefit businesses by processing large volumes of information from various stakeholders. The industry needs to move towards a standardized and centralized approach to data creation and management to unlock the full potential of Big Data.

Despite the progress in adopting modern technologies and Big Data, challenges remain, particularly regarding data sharing and security. The keynote speaker called for collaboration among stakeholders to create an effective data-sharing ecosystem. This would enable industry-wide Big Data Analytics, leading to more accurate, timely, and cost-effective business strategies and decisions. The vision is for the Malaysian construction sector to develop a comprehensive Big Data ecosystem that propels the industry forward.

MGATE Emerging Technologies CEO Faizal Shebli:

“It is with great pleasure and honor that we contribute to the implementation of Big Data in the industry. By harnessing the power of data analytics, we can drive significant improvements in productivity, safety, and decision-making processes. Our goal is to build a robust data-sharing ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders and propels the construction sector into a new era of efficiency and innovation.”