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OPINION: Deploying digital technologies can be threat to Construction Professionals if not done correctly

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Nomzamo Mlungu asked the question Is technology a threat or boost to Construction Professionals?  this is Prince Lufu's response.

I think technology if used in the right applications can be a great boost for the built environment." 

The converse is that it can be a threat if we all of a sudden want to promelgate it too fast into all aspects without first getting it as a second nature go to tool for all parties involved 

I will explain.....

If you all of a suddenly are shown a computer in the work place and you have been used to writing all your thoughts down or trained in the work place to work with your hands and told we are now automating, note I say work place in that manner, you will struggle to adapt and be viewed in an unfavorable manner. 

Let us bear in mind a construction site is an open air factory only covered once the structure is roofed.... 

There is an expectation for speedy adaptation to new technology with further expectations for improvements in production and efficiency thus translating into profit margins also increasing. 

Truth be told for this to work the prospective employees need to have had exposure to IT and technology and this should have happened at primary and secondary level so it is as second nature as writing. 

So where am I going with this? 

I am saying and following up from my passion for development of artisans, we need to identify those children who will not make it to degree level from an early stage and mould them to go the artisanal route. 

The tradesman route needs to be repackaged and made more attractive and include IT related subjects. The IT related subjects will have been introduced based on research and works studies on current models and specific case studies of trials with new concepts 

From secondary school level, basic computer skills are a must. One cannot leave school without having obtained certification in this along with literacy and numeracy skills plus at least two science subjects. 

Minimum 5 subjects required to enter artisanal tradesman programmes. 

That way we ensure that we are not creating anxiety stress in the work place when new technology is introduced as the crop and new generation will have been exposed to such as a norm. 

The older generation tend to be stoic and rigid in their mindset and will be difficult to sway in this regards. 

A wiser approach which is mindful of these issues must be evolved to approach introducing them to technology. 

I think they still play an important role because at the end of the day, their intrinsic knowledge is vested and deep and once it is gone and retired it is gone forever. 

Carmel Yoong and Patel who I referred to in my research term this "Tacit Knowledge". 

In the built environment, we therefore need to be careful to avoid a rush to replace people with machines as there are a lot of tasks which still require the physical handling and skilled touch of an artisan. 

I recall a specific journal by Carmel Yoong and Patel (2013) entitled "Knowledge loss when older experts leave knowledge intensive organizations", I referenced in my research speaking of that fact. 

The message in that journal speaks of a need of these irreplaceable banks of wisdom to be retained in a mentorship role transferring the skills to the youngsters and as well the developers of software and hardware. 

An IT solution initiates from a technical concept is what is required to start from a physical process which in industrial age had been mechanized and now in the information age becomes automated. 

The wise sages would be the first port of call as they know the concepts from first principles. They are best placed to advise software and hardware developers in creating concepts and solutions which will then be trialed with the younger tech savvy generation who will be mentored by the older retirees stock from a practicality perspective. 

It is essential not to lose this. According to Carmel Yoong and Patel (2013), they feel that this tacit knowledge is the essence which holds together organizations and industries essentially.

This Hardhat Opinion was written by Prince Lufu a Senior Construction Professional.

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