Executive summary: The construction sector globally recognises that it has lagged behind other sectors in productivity improvements and the uptake of technology, and that there is a need for change. Major international studies show that productivity in this industry is near the bottom of all sectors, and technology supported change is not as prevalent as it is in other sectors. Digital technology offers enormous potential to increase value for money in terms of productivity and competitiveness. Leading companies across the world have demonstrated the benefits that can accrue from technology supported change. New Zealand companies can learn from these experiences and gain benefits across the phases of planning, design, construction, operation and demolition or recycling. Increased digitalisation of the building industry should not be seen as an end in its own right. However, the need to transform the building industry, as recognised by the recent government and industry Construction Accord, will rely heavily on digital technologies. While the benefits and value of a technological intervention are dependent upon many factors contributing to an individual project, it is clear from overseas experience that perseverance and embedding change will unlock the benefits.
To ensure that New Zealand’s building industry gains the maximum benefit from technological transformation we make the following recommendations for 2020-2025:

That the government commissions and commits to a digital transformation blueprint with a clear vision of the future of the building industry. That the technology sector is supported and developed through national showcases, case studies and grass-roots initiatives that allow transfer of knowledge within the sector. For example, a range of forums for individual technological innovations such as the successful BIM forums run in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. That companies and construction projects are supported to embed change into their processes to achieve the scale required to unlock technology supported improvements. That whole of industry approaches are developed to fix pain points currently impeding technology supported change. That the regulatory framework is adapted to incentivise investment decisions and new ways of contracting. That clients, including government agencies, are educated to mandate the use of best practice technologies and standards on their projects (e.g., requiring as-built BIM models for operations and asset management). That Central Government shows leadership through procurement rules that incentivise an all-of-government approach to the use of BIM. That a greater focus is placed upon training and skill development of the whole workforce for the digital future. This must encompass managers through to those on construction sites. That industry and government choose, or develop, data standards and standard approaches to technology deployment for the nation. That security and privacy become a standard consideration for all technological innovations.