Look, if you're still relying on three-ring binders and CDs for construction photo documentation, you're not just behind the curve—you're doing a disservice to your owners and leaving money on the table.
This isn't just about pretty pictures, it's about empowering owners and delivering a better-built product.
We’ll take a look back at the Executive Session from our recent Power-Up Summit: Ground Edition, where John Niles from Anser Advisory a part of Accenture and Raymond Huynh from Project Management Advisors, Inc. gave us a rundown on how photo documentation is going well beyond just photos.
A time capsule for your project's future
In our recent Power Up Summit, John Niles from Anser Advisory of Accenture hit the nail on the head when he described the data you collect through reality capture as a "time capsule." This isn’t just about snapping a few pics to check a box on the punch list. It's about creating a living, breathing record of your project – one that tells the full story, from the first shovel in the ground to the final coat of paint.
Imagine, it's ten years down the line of your project. Your building is thriving, but a pipe bursts behind a wall. The facility team is scrambling, trying to figure out what is potentially behind the wall and, how to access it without tearing the whole place apart. This is where your "time capsule" comes in. With reality capture, they can pinpoint the exact location of that valve, saving them time, money, and a whole lot of headaches.
Now, let's talk about the bigger picture. Owners are learning more about what’s possible from different GC’s thus demanding more from all future projects, and frankly, they deserve it. They're not just investing in a building; they're investing in their future.
Telling the full story of your building with context-driven documentation can secure that future. With this full story, you can exceed owner expectations and protect their investment. At the end of the day, your owners (and your bottom line) will thank you.
You can’t fake a picture
Remember that old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words"? Well, in construction, it's worth a lot more than that. As John Niles put it, "You can't fake a picture." And he's right.
You’ve probably been there before. You're in a meeting and everyone's got a different story about what's happening on site. But by documenting the full story of your job site, you've got the undeniable truth staring everyone in the face.
Reality capture gives you that competitive edge. How you do one thing is how you do everything. Being able to show what the final results will be as far as consistent, organized photo documentation in a project proposal shows the owner exactly what they’re going to get at the end. Not a photo dump of misc scattered photos, but 360 degrees pinned to floor plans..
Avoid costly conversations
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: mistakes. We all make them. But in construction, those mistakes can cost you a fortune. You only have one opportunity per phase to capture before things are covered up. Even if things were installed correctly, telling that story once the walls are painted or the concrete is poured can be a financial kick in the teeth.
You can’t put a price on peace of mind, even though sometimes the cost is challenged as a nice to have. How many times have you had to prove that there wasn’t a mistake after the fact? The fireproofing is questioned or even something as simple as the studs weren’t clean prior to drywall - the list goes on and on. The time spent organizing a collection of emails, scattered phone photos, and conversations quickly add up more than just having documented it with a software in the first place.
This isn't just about saving money either. It's about building trust with your owners. When you deliver a project with a comprehensive record, you're not just handing over a building; you're handing over peace of mind. You're showing them you've got their back, that you've taken every precaution to ensure a smooth handover and worry-free ownership.
In this industry, staying stagnant means falling behind, and your competitors aren’t waiting around either. They're already using reality capture to win over owners, deliver better-built projects and protect their bottom lines.
Want to just see a video of the process to capture in the field? Video here
And if you want to learn more, check out the full conversation ↓
