
Although the term ‘collaboration’ may be met with eye-rolls at meetings, as it is considered merely a buzzword of the workplace, its contribution to the growth of the modern construction sector cannot be denied. When we really look at the term, not as a bandied about terminology for a tick the box exercise, but as the practical means of sharing and connecting, the role of collaboration is clear.
Collaboration within GagaMuller Group has driven innovation in the use of geospatial technology, data, and the means of communicating this data with our clients. Central to our collaboration is the use of a shared platform, which allows us to share intelligent geospatial data, through a CDE (common data environment), at every single stage of a project’s life cycle; plan, design, build, and operation.
With the rise of collaborative workplace applications such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Google Drive, etc., any business that wants to be successful, should be aware of the ease such applications can allow a workforce to share, develop and deliver ideas. As a company, who sincerely believes in the benefits of teamwork, GagaMuller Group has been using such applications for everyday routine collaboration since its beginning.
However, the purpose of this post is to look beyond the day-to-day benefits of collaboration within a workplace and explore how GagaMuller Group has specifically collaborated at every step of a project’s life cycle using the example below.
Example – Common Data Environment (CDE) Applications used to share information:
Phase One of Collaboration with Geospatial Data: A.K.A The Planning Phase
The geospatial data is gathered by a surveyor.
This data is then shared via a CDE with the design team, and when required the contractors and sub-contractors.
Through this collaborative procedure, processes can be completed such as pre-application planning analysis, strategy, architectural conceptualisation, and planning application
The data gathered would service specific areas such as underground mapping, topographical surveys, right of light, infrastructure surveys, aerial surveys and inspections, visual analysis, and heritage preservation.
Phase Two: The Design Phase
The same geospatial data also shared with the design team will allow them to plan surveys for cost analysis and design risk management.
The collaboration element of sharing this geospatial data will also accommodate design studies and engineering analysis to rest the building’s sustainability outcome with regard to environmental survey analysis.
Design studies and engineering analysis to test the building’s sustainability outcome with environmental survey analysis.
On top of this, it will allow for better construction information management for spatial coordination at the design phase.
Phase Three: Pre- Construction and Construction Phase
This same shared and updated data will also allow for site logistics with 3D geospatial information, structural and environmental monitoring at the pre-construction phase.
It will mean that the geospatial team can complete site geospatial management with ease.
It will also allow the team to collaborate with contractors using a single shared platform.
Other elements of the construction phase that will be aided by our use of shared geospatial data are engineering analysis, construction quality reporting, and the provision of updated as-builts.
Phase Four: Operation and Facility Management
At this stage the updated and collaborated geospatial data should permit facility and asset management of data, such as ongoing condition surveys and leasing and plan surveys.
In GagaMuller Group the term ‘collaboration’ is more than just a fad word. We know when it is integrated with foresight, thought and precision of application, it can be fundamental to the cohesive running of a project from start to finish. We pride ourselves on the use of geospatial data for high-end collaborative project delivery.