Client Survey – Project Monitoring Popular Among Digital Tools

Why It Matters

The trend signals a decisive move toward data‑driven construction management, yet the limited integration of information standards hampers efficiency gains across the sector.

Key Takeaways

• 63% use project monitoring tools
• 49% employ BIM for design coordination
• Only 36% adopt ISO 19650 information management
• AI usage at 17%, expected growth
• Data handover gap hinders FM teams

Pulse Analysis

Construction clients are rapidly embracing digital platforms to keep projects on schedule and within budget. The 2026 CIOB survey shows that 63% of respondents rely on dedicated project‑monitoring tools, while almost half (49%) have integrated Building Information Modeling for design and coordination, and 41% use on‑site technologies such as drones. These figures reflect a broader industry push to digitise after the Grenfell‑driven call for stronger information management, and they signal that owners are prioritising real‑time visibility over traditional spreadsheet reporting.

Despite the enthusiasm, the survey highlights a gap between data collection and its practical use. Only 36% of clients have adopted information‑management systems aligned with ISO 19650, and just 29% enforce the “golden thread” of digital record‑keeping at handover. Practitioners like Alan Edwards note that FM teams often receive COBie and Revit files they cannot exploit, forcing a re‑format into spreadsheets. This disconnect hampers the promised efficiencies of digital handover and underscores the need for tighter integration between construction delivery platforms and facilities‑management software.

Looking ahead, artificial intelligence, digital twins and IoT sensors are poised to reshape construction decision‑making. AI already appears in 17% of client toolkits, with executives like Roselyn Unegbu citing cost, schedule and risk mitigation as prime use cases. Digital twins (17%) and sensor networks (14%) promise continuous performance monitoring, while augmented reality tools aid design visualisation. Consultants and contractors that can translate post‑occupancy data into actionable insights will differentiate themselves, as Graham Lewis suggests. The convergence of these technologies will drive data‑driven asset management, making digital competence a competitive necessity for the entire supply chain.