Remember when 'Big Data' was coming? How much data do you think you generate each day?
To manage a project, you need to know the numbers. What is the weekly spend? How many hours is the team burning to produce each deliverable? Percentage complete? Remaining effort to complete? How many resources do you need to deliver the remaining scope?
These numbers provide you with the knowledge to influence the outcomes achieved. Presenting these numbers to your team on a regular basis instils ownership and accountability as they gain an appreciation of their individual productivity. Traditionally, these numbers are captured and presented by a project controller. The role of a project controller is typically carried out by a graduate or mid-level engineer who supports the project manager and takes care of necessary tasks including weekly expenditure, monthly invoicing, forecasting and scheduling. All undertaken on a part time basis.
What if we re-defined this role? A Data Scientist is a relatively new role to the industry. Having a specialist that could capture, analyse and present data in meaningful ways streamlines your reporting regime and provides the project team with continuous productivity feedback.
As we become more and more connected with the rest of the world through the Internet of Things (IoT), the data generation has grown exponentially. According to EMC, there will be 40 trillion gigabytes (40 zettabytes) of data in the world this year. 90% of this data has been generated in the last two years. This year, it is predicted that each person will generate 1.7 megabytes per second. That's a total of 146,880 gigabytes per day. (source: Domo). Not only is Big Data here, data has become the new currency.
Lets look at the life cycle of data. Data needs to be generated before it can be captured. Once captured it can be analysed and presented. Then, only when presented correctly; can you be provided with valuable feedback as to how the data has originally been generated.
So why should the transport infrastructure industry care about data in 2020?
The Engineering and Construction industry is notoriously renowned for its slow adoption of digital advancements. This has been a contentious topic that is repeatedly discussed throughout my own interactions within industry events. A recent survey of infrastructure owners conducted by Dodge Analytics found that over 70% of capital projects were late, over budget, or both; meaning that only 30% of projects are on time and on budget. This is supported by the Construction Imperative Report 2015 (McKinsey & Company) which highlighted a significant difference in productivity improvements over the past 20 years when compared to the Manufacturing industry.
This poor productivity can be attributed to a variety of shortcomings in our industry today. One factor that stands out is communication, or the lack thereof. Who of you have worked on a project without knowing what needs to be delivered this week? Or next week? Or by the end of the month?
The new generation of engineering professionals have never lived in a world without the internet. They will make up over half of the workforce in 2020 which is set to increase to more than two thirds by 2025. This generation is disrupting the way communication needs to be executed during delivery. As a project leader today, delivering information (communication) on project productivity requires a shift in perspective to impart the necessary information. The new generation embrace social learning environments, where they can be hands-on and directly involved in the process. They have unlimited access to qualitative data but can’t apply it independently to complete their required tasks. Verbal direction is simply not enough to drive an outcome. A mixture of communication forms including verbal, written and animated is now required.
Let’s look at a project example. We already know that this year, on average, each of us will generate approximately 150,000 GB of data per day. A portion of this data will be generated on the projects you work on this year. Automatically and with no extra effort. What if this data was captured and analysed?
Deep and meaningful insights into the project's productivity can be presented to all team members by capturing and analysing this data. In turn, providing valuable feedback for the project team on a regular basis. A measure of productivity could be derived by capturing the number of tasks we planned to complete in a week’s time and then look back at how many of those tasks were completed once the week was over. Then, if the tasks that weren't completed were categorised into typical reasons each week; they too could be captured and analysed as well. Analysing and presenting this data reinforces accountability, reliability, consistency, collaboration and continuous improvement.
Similar to the general world of business, data analytics within the Engineering field is becoming a necessity. Presenting useful data clearly to a targeted audience enables the organisation to influence the outcome. This is the same philosophy when delivering infrastructure projects, no matter how big or small. Having the data ready to present provides the team with knowledge and engenders a nimble and decisive culture to push through the day to day hurdles of delivery. It is for this reason; the role of a Data Scientist on infrastructure projects will be in high demand in 2020. A role encapsulating the skills, data and knowledge that can provide organisations with the insights required to remain competitive and implement continuous improvement.
How many Data Scientists do you employ?
