The digital transformation journey in construction
Ricardo Viana | Head of Corporate IT - Casais Group
Civil construction has long been regarded as a conservative sector. With deep roots in traditional practices, manual methods and a strong dependence on empirical evidence, the industry has been instinctively resistant to technological change for decades. Innovation has occurred more in the field of materials than in respect of methods, and has been more focussed on engineering than on management.
However, current challenges—such as the shortage of skilled labour, the pressure for greater productivity, sustainability and safety, and the growing complexity of projects—have imposed a new reality. It is against this background that digital transformation has emerged not as a choice, but as a strategic necessity.
Although it involves technology, digital transformation goes far beyond the technology itself. The implementation of new software tools, investment in Artificial Intelligence solutions, and the use of robots, sensors and drones to monitor construction sites will have no real practical impact ground if they are the result of isolated initiatives.
Digital transformation in construction is a profound paradigm shift that demands the rethinking of business models, value chains, human skills and organisational culture. Successful digitalisation is not an end in itself – it is the means to building better, and achieving better quality, predictability, sustainability and safety.
The illusion of being exceptional
For many years, the construction industry has cultivated the idea that each project is unique and therefore inefficiencies and delays are inevitable. Today, this narrative is no longer tenable. The reality is that other industries, such as those in the aeronautics and the automotive sectors, which have highly complex products, have achieved high productivity gains thanks to digitalisation and the standardisation of processes.
Construction can and should do the same. Of course, at first glance it's difficult to establish a basis for comparison between a hospital or school and the industrial process followed to produce a part or set of parts in a factory. But, in fact, in each case, the processes that build them, the data that manages them and the systems that integrate them can—and should—be standardised, optimised and controlled digitally.
The art of the possible
Innovation and transformation in construction is only possible by changing the mindset of the past and looking to other industries and technologies.
One approach to a challenge of this magnitude would be to start from a vision of the future in order to design the path to get there. And in that future, we see buildings that are delivered with a digital asset (digital twin) that accompanies the physical one. Buildings that are intelligent by design, that adapt comfort levels to our preferences based on advanced Artificial Intelligence models. Buildings that would be configured, produced in an industrial environment and assembled on site. Construction sites would evolve into Smart Construction Sites, where, for example, the following would be possible:
The vision for the industrial area would include Smart Factories, where we could find, by way of example:
Enabling safe and precise control of robots on the factory floor with low latency, for automated operations, quality and safety inspection, using 5G and real-time algorithms.
This vision of the future is already under construction and depends on a fundamental ingredient: data – which is a precious asset for fuelling an integrated end-to-end vision and allowing us to take advantage of advanced technology and the potential of Artificial Intelligence tools, substantially increasing our decision-making capacity.
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The human factor: the invisible challenge of transformation
Contrary to common perception, the biggest barrier to digitalisation in construction isn't technology – it is changing mindsets, processes and organisational structures.
Adopting a new tool requires more than technical training. It involves changing the work culture, reformulating processes, creating new roles and promoting an attitude open to experimentation. It is a process that requires leadership, strategic vision and, above all, time.
Resistance to change is not a problem exclusive to construction, but in this sector, where empirical evidence and experience is still highly valued, the adoption of digital practices can be seen as a threat or unnecessarily complex.
An approach to transformation that integrates people, processes and technology is therefore essential. The digital does not replace the human – it serves to enhance human input.
Innovation and sustainability: two sides of the same coin
Digital transformation is not just a question of efficiency. More and more, the chief issues are the environment and ethics. On a global scale, the construction sector is responsible for more than 35% of natural resources consumption and around 40% of carbon emissions.
Innovation also means building with less impact, better performance and greater circularity. Digitalisation makes it possible to track materials, simulate energy performance, reduce resource consumption and plan interventions.
BuiltWorlds: International recognition
In 2025, Casais was recognised by BuiltWorlds as one of the 75 most innovative companies in the world in the construction sector. This recognition is highly significant for several reasons:
This recognition reflects not only the technical capacity of our group, but also its strategic vision and ability to execute. It is the result of a leadership that understands that innovation is a permanent attitude and that the future of construction will be increasingly digital, collaborative and sustainable.
Much more than technology
Digitally transforming construction is much more than adopting technology. It's about changing your mindset. It means working better, not just faster. It means collaborating more and competing less. It is about putting data at the service of people and buildings at the service of society. It is about building the future.