Innovation and Technology in the Construction Industry: Reflection on Learning & Development on Construction Management

The author reflects on their learning and development on the topic of innovation and technology in the construction industry. They gained insights on different energy-efficient materials and resources used in constructing buildings. The report includes a personal development plan for continuous improvement.

Reflection
Innovation and Technology in the Construction
Industry
(PART – 2)

CONTENTS
(PART – 2).................................................................................................................................1
REFELECTION ON LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT ON CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT.......................................................................................................................1
REFERENCES...........................................................................................................................7

REFELECTION ON LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT ON
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
The field of construction has been dramatically altered and modified from the past
few years. Many new, innovative and advance technologies are changing the shape of the
construction industry. Due to this, the construction management topic has been gaining
attention of most of the researchers. Even I was also excited to learn in regards with this
industry and have carried out extensive research on the topic innovation and technology in
the construction (Ahmed, 2020). The present report will going to throw light on my reflection
on learning and development on the selected construction management topic using one of the
most popular and effective model known as Gibbs reflection cycle. The later part of the
report will going to include personal development plan for my continuous improvement.
While going through the topic related to innovation and technology in construction
development, initially I was not aware about the different types of technologies and
innovation which are taking place in the construction development. However, while
researching and completing the research on the topic innovation and technology in the
construction industry of UK I came to know about different things and innovation. In the
current times people are becoming more concerned with the environment and thus, they are
asking for environmental friendly products. In relation with the construction industry of UK,
technology initiates with the materials. I came to know that there are different energy
efficient materials and resources which can be used for constructing a building such as
concentre slabs, reclaimed wood, bamboo, cork, straw bales, recycle plastic and many others
(Dodge, 2017). I also came to know while learning about the concerned topic that most of the
constructor are making use of cigarette butts in making bricks and for pavement. Other than
this, while exploring this topic I also came to know that because of the science pertaining to
heat as well as colour, the developers of the paint have been forced to rethink about their
colours and chemicals and more energy efficient outcomes. I found out that there are many
home manufacturing and enhancement companies are making use of cooling along with
insulating paint. This helps in maintaining the temperatures of the home inside and now, they
are also planning to expand it into the outdoors sectors as well. There are UK based
companies such as Rype office and Gapogroup which are making use of used furniture, foil
and foam tape for making furniture and rigid insulation board. In addition to this, I also
learned that other than the technologies utilized on the manufacturing as well as
developmental stage, the average day to day activities of the construction employees are
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becoming progressively linked and associated and thus, smartphone at the worksite is
becoming an essential technology. Application combines the tools which the workers in the
construction sites carries with them across the whole day (Bautexsystems.com, 2017). Smart
phones can easily be used as a calculator, to do list and timer. Furthermore, I have also
learned that for the workplace safety at the construction sites there has been innovative
wearable technologies available which can be utilized at the worksite by the workers such as
safety vests, hard hats, glasses, bionic suits, smart work boots, wearable sensors, smart
helmets, trip sensors and so forth.
Prior gaining knowledge in relation with the topic of innovation and technology in the
construction industry, I was of the viewpoint that innovation and construction industry cannot
go hand in hand. Innovation and technology has no role to play in this sector. However, after
gaining significant insights about the different technologies available in the constructions
sector, I am quite amused. Now, I am feeling very good and confident that I have acquired
handful of knowledge regarding varied forms of innovative technologies which can be
adopted and utilized by the construction companies while manufacturing any worksite
(Ardian, Hariyati and Afifah, 2019). Earlier, I was very anxious about my topic, however as
soon as I learned and researched about papers articulating about different technologies which
are supporting construction industry of UK in the current times I am now feeling assertive
and self-assured. I think that I have attained a good level of understanding about the manners
technology are changing the whole structure of this industry.
Talking in relation with the whole experience of gaining learning and development on
the topic innovation and technology in the construction industry, it was quite challenging for
me. There were many good and bad experiences being associated with this process of
learning. Firstly, I was not able to find relevant sources in relation with the concerned topic,
however my tutor explained me that at this stage of learning, I need to possess such
knowledge and understanding and must work within the limits of my competence. I was little
afraid and disappointed at that point of time, but soon I grabbed the pace and started
searching again in relation with the innovation in the construction industry. With positive and
optimistic attitude I gained insight about varied facts (Li and et.al, 2020). Speaking in volume
in relation with the good part of my experience while learning and developing about
technologies in the construction industry, it has helped in improving my researching skills,
written communication and decision making skills (Dressler and et.al, 2018). This event of
learning has supported me in enhancing my ability of writing effectively. Other than this, I
also learned in regards with the recent trends in the construction industry. It has been
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explored by me that with the increased concern towards the environment, governments of
many nations have posed strict environmental regulations for the construction sector to have
healthier buildings. I got the opportunity to learn about assortment of sustainable building
materials for construction of building such as rammed earth, wool insulation, straw bales,
bamboo, solar tiles, energy saving technologies and machines at the worksite etc. Overall, I
am feeling very fortunate that with this assignment, I got to learn about different aspects
about technologies in the construction management and industry.
Underpinning the discussion further, I can now essentially make sense of the whole
process of learning as well as development that took place while carrying out research and
assignment on the topic innovation and technology in the construction industry. There were
many skills and abilities being acquired while carrying out this work. First focusing on the
good aspects, I was able to gain understanding in relation with the concerned which will
further going to help me in progressing my career in this field or sector (Nam and Tatum,
2016). Further, with this event, I also got the chance of gaining competence in relation with
my written communication skills. I also collaborated with one my peer and this has
essentially helped me in augmenting and enhancing my team working skills. All these good
experiences will surely help me in repeating the success factors in the near future. However,
there were some downfalls as well, which are also quite necessary to asses for the purpose of
analysing the reasons behind those breakdowns and failure and learning from the same to
perform better in the near future. The most crucial challenge that I faced in this learning and
development process is the issue related with time. The significance of time management will
definitely going to strike me at some point of my career in the future. I will be flooded with
lots of assignments and work and thus, I am required to analyse the manners of managing my
time successfully. Management of time is being regarded as a dynamic procedure and
involves continuous actions as well as interaction amid oneself and their goals and dealing
with the altering conditions. In addition to this, I also realized that time management along
with the prioritization abilities go hand in hand and consequently, it signifies that
management of time, making decisions on that priorities as well as planning on the basis of
that, can be regarded as the most crucial and challenging skills to obtain (Jasper, 2013). Thus,
management of time suitably will help me in reducing my stress level and will also augment
my productivity level.
Looking back at the overall process of learning and development in relation with the
innovation and technology in the construction industry, I can see that I have learned that there
are different energy efficient materials and resources which can be used for constructing a
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building which initially I was not aware about such as concentre slabs, reclaimed wood,
bamboo, cork, straw bales, recycle plastic and many others. I also came to know while
learning about the concerned topic that most of the constructor are making use of cigarette
butts in making bricks and for pavement. I can now see that I have learned in regards with the
recent trends in the construction industry and was explored by me that with the increased
concern towards the environment, governments of many nations have posed strict
environmental regulations for the construction sector to have healthier buildings. I got the
opportunity to learn about assortment of sustainable building materials for construction of
building such as rammed earth, wool insulation, straw bales, bamboo, solar tiles, energy
saving technologies and machines at the worksite etc. In addition to this, overall it can be
concluded that with this event, I also got the chance of gaining competence in relation with
my written communication skills (Schneider Electric, 2018). I also collaborated with one my
peer and this has essentially helped me in augmenting and enhancing my team working skills.
However, I have realized that there are certain areas which needs to be improved and
enhanced such as more commercial awareness about the construction industry, time
management skills, teamwork and inter-personal skills, application of knowledge, problem
solving and professional communication.
Because of increased focuses on effectiveness as well as efficiency in the field of
construction industry, the manners and the ways I manage my above identified skills and
abilities will be a vital consideration. These skills and abilities are recognized as the most
crucial element of the work performance in the construction industry or sector. As I am
planning to take my career in regards with this field than I have to have these skills and
competencies effectively. For the purpose of achieving this, there is requirement of
development of personal developmental plan. This PDP will help me in having continuous
improvement and learning and will render a supportive hand in exceling in the field of
construction sector. An action plan related to my personal development plan is as follows:
Areas to be
improved
Things to be
learned for
achieving
Actions to be
taken for
attaining
Resources
required
Evidence of
success
Time
limit
Professional
communication
Getting
experience of
workplace
environment
Through
attending of
practice
assessment
Practice
assessment
centres
Receiving
goof
feedback
from the
7
weeks
4

through
placement
assessment
centres
Time
management
skills
Justification of
all the tasks
and actions at
all times
Breaking down
of tasks and
actions and
prioritizing
activities
Delegation of
tasks to other
members
Daily to do
list,
Meetings,
Time audit
Timely
completion
of tasks
4
weeks
Problem
solving skills
Continuously
expansion of
the knowledge
and learning of
technologies
and innovation
in construction
industry for
improving
solution when
encountered
with any
problem in
near future
Application of
analytical skills
and
participating in
real life work
practices
(Tawanwongsri
and Phenwan,
2019)
Opportunity
to resolve
the issues,
support of
senior and
mentors
Effectively
getting
solution and
achieving
desired
outcome
6
weeks
Commercial
awareness
Remaining
updated with
the latest
technologies
and up
gradation in
the
construction
field and
comprehendin
Exploring
different
papers and
articles related
to innovation
and
technologies in
construction
industry
Construction
magazines,
articles,
published
papers and
getting
access to
online
publications
and other
Being in a
position to
make use of
examples of
the present
innovation
and
technologies
in the
construction
12
weeks
5

g what
employers are
asking
relevant
journals
sector and
other related
aspects
Leadership
initiative or
taking a
leadership role
Having simple
knowledge as
well as
comprehension
for developing
more
innovative
ideas
Taking the
leadership
roles and
updating of
knowledge
through
exploring
different books
and practical
experience
Books,
practice
assessment
centre for
gaining
practical
knowledge
and work
groups
Completion
of the group
project
effectively
and
delegating
roles to the
members
successfully
5
weeks
6

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Ahmed, A.M., 2020. From reluctance to addiction: the impact of reflective journals on Qatari
undergraduate students’ learning. Reflective Practice, 21(2), pp.251-270.
Ardian, P., Hariyati, R.T.S. and Afifah, E., 2019. Correlation between implementation case
reflection discussion based on the Graham Gibbs Cycle and nurses’ critical thinking
skills. Enfermeria Clinica, 29, pp.588-593.
Dressler, R., Becker, S., Kawalilak, C. and Arthur, N., 2018. The cross-cultural reflective
model for post-sojourn debriefing. Reflective Practice, 19(4), pp.490-504.
Jasper, M., 2013. Beginning Reflective Practice. 2nded. Andover: Cengage.
Li, Y., Chen, W., Liu, C. and Deng, M., 2020. Nurses’ Psychological Feelings about the
Application of Gibbs Reflective Cycle of Adverse Events. American Journal of
Nursing, 9(2), pp.74-78.
Nam, C.H. and Tatum, C.B., 2016. Strategies for technology push: lessons from construction
innovation. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 118(3), pp.507-
525.
Tawanwongsri, W. and Phenwan, T., 2019. Reflective and feedback performances on Thai
medical students’ patient history-taking skills. BMC medical education, 19(1), p.141.
Online references
Bautexsystems.com. 2017. Energy Efficient Buildings: 71 Ways to Make Your Building More
Energy Efficient – Bautex Systems. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.bautexsystems.com/company/news-events/energy-efficient-buildings>.
[Accessed on 31st March 2022].
Dodge, A., 2017. How Technology is changing the Face of the Construction Industry.
[Online]. Available through: < https://ozobot.com/blog/technology-changing-face-
construction-industry>. [Accessed on 31st March 2022].
Schneider Electric. 2018. How to Reduce Energy Consumption in Commercial Buildings –
Schneider Electric. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.schneider-critical.com/blog/reduce-energy-consumption-commercial-
buildings/>. [Accessed on 31st March 2022].
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