Construction, as the engine of the economy, both in infrastructure and housing, is a sector which offers us economic growth rates.
We have witnessed, in the past decade, that the construction crisis, not only, evidenced a stagnation of the national economy, but for the majority of professionals linked to this sector, a bitter taste regarding our professional future.
Very few companies, both construction and contractors, survived this crisis; the momentum and development of the sector was related to a fictitious economy, and not to a real development of it. Unfinished projects, corruption and unnecessary costs caused this sector to collapse, contrary to what was projected at the beginning of the last decade.
But really, would it be only these factors that made this sector unattractive? The strategy used, for the most part, by failed companies, set aside fundamental factors for their development: customer service, information technology and human development.
In the 90's there were other different priorities that we must attend to today, as construction and engineering professionals. It is time to think about innovative strategies, out of the ordinary, importance should be given to factors other than those that have been developed lately.
In Colombia, the objective of construction professionals, for the most part, is the creation of companies, especially contractors, and due to lack of strategic and management development they are unable to remain in the market or meet their enrichment and competitiveness objectives.
Technological innovation, the opening of new markets, the globalization of the economy, technological development, political and regional factors, are variables, to be taken into account, in the construction sector. And it represents, among others, the most relevant points for sustainability and creation of competitive companies.
Unskilled labor is one of the most important pillars for the consolidation and growth of the synergy of Civil Works construction companies.
The after-sales service in housing projects should be an end to make customers fall in love, and thus that they have a perfect experience.
The construction business should not be directed to the delivery of projects, but, also, to offer the client, not only a construction but make him understand that the future depends on how satisfied he is with the acquisition of his home, office or property, as it is a fundamental factor in their quality of life.
In our society different social classes, tastes and trends coexist, it is relevant to study these aspects to satisfy current needs.
Within their normal development, people seek to have a decent home, it is the responsibility of construction companies to create favorable environments that meet the expectations of potential home buying customers.
Delivering projects in the right time gives reliability, that's service! In addition, offering products with the best quality standards should not be an added value, on the contrary, it must be an objective of the construction companies and contractors.
Segmenting the market, for appropriate needs, can make the sector much more competitive.
Evaluating, on the other hand, the social responsibility of infrastructure contracting companies should be another objective inseparable from business policies.
The construction of infrastructure works such as roads, public service networks, etc. It is not only focused on the completion of a contract, but also on improving the quality of life in the community.
Within this context, customer service must contemplate more than a structure a strategy, which must be adopted not only by companies that are in the market, but must be included within the policies of future SMEs entering the sector.
Then, service strategies must be created aimed at modifying business structures, and using technology, not only in construction equipment, but also in information systems that can develop best practices to ensure that the client is satisfied with business management.
Segmenting and using information strategies such as CRM, makes it easier to detect our clients' needs with greater precision.
A construction project manager must have the information at the exact moment in order to be able to make decisions based on the completion of a project effectively, meeting the deadlines and obtaining the best management of resources, information and technology must be immersed in the daily activities that a construction project develops.
In the past, the only way to understand a project was to physically visualize its progress, mechanisms must be created where a project manager, coordinator and / or work execution resident, has the criteria for decision-making, mitigating risk of non-compliance in the delivery of the project.
Technology such as Internet, intranet, and dashboard provide the necessary tools to effectively direct the development of construction projects.
The structuring of a good information system not only generates a benefit from a process and financial perspective for the investors of a project, but also the trust of the clients.
Creating interactive tools where the client and / or contractor can follow their project periodically, gives peace of mind and is consistent with what the client needs.
Tools such as the "dashborad" allow executives to have in real time how is the management of each of the areas of the company, therefore technology aimed at customer satisfaction should be the way to successfully complete a project.
Thus, information technology, well used, must allow access to new markets and have a closer relationship with customers, allowing an environment of evolution and growth within organizational development.
This sector must consider information technology as a strategic objective, always aimed at the perfect customer experience, and eventually have an effective system, and at the right time for decision making.
Information technology, well implemented in the construction sector can make customers happier and improve the quality of life in a sustainable way.
