Digital Transformation: How Construction is Rising to the Challenge

Across construction and engineering, a quiet revolution is underway. Over the past year, almost nine out of ten professionals say they have accelerated their use of digital technologies — a clear sign that the sector is no longer treating digital tools as “nice to have”, but as essential to progress.

This shift is captured in the 2025 Strata Report: Digital Transformation in Construction, which paints a picture of an industry that is both embracing change and grappling with the barriers that come with it.

The Push and Pull of Digital Adoption

On the one hand, nearly 70% of respondents told us they are already using digital tools to make smarter decisions and spark new ideas. On the other, progress is often slowed by challenges that will feel all too familiar to anyone working in the industry: siloed workflows, time pressures caused by labour shortages, and gaps in the skills needed to unlock digital’s full potential.

It’s a reminder that transformation is never just about technology — it’s about people, processes, and the ability to bring them together.

AI: Belief Without Practice

Perhaps the most striking finding relates to Artificial Intelligence. While over 71% believe AI will play a critical role in the sector’s future, 81% admit they have only a basic or moderate understanding of it. Even more telling, more than half of companies surveyed have yet to introduce formal AI training.

The appetite is there, but the industry is only at the beginning of the learning curve.

Sustainability: Ambition vs Reality

The same tension is visible in sustainability. An overwhelming 85% said it will become more important in the next one to three years. Yet just 5% report making meaningful progress with digital tools such as carbon calculations or whole-life assessments. The ambition is loud and clear, but the application is still catching up.

“No Longer Optional”

For Strata’s founder and director, Enda Grimes, these findings highlight the urgency of change:

“With the Government’s National Planning Framework prioritising accelerated housing delivery, and the Climate Action Plan placing new demands on infrastructure and sustainability targets, meeting construction demand will require greater efficiency and new ways of working. In this context, digitalisation and AI are no longer optional efficiency tools — they are essential levers for delivering on national ambitions.”

He goes on to stress that the answer lies in pairing digital know-how with real-world engineering experience:

“Our research shows that while digital adoption is gaining momentum across the sector, a significant gap in skills and applied knowledge remains. Addressing this challenge requires collaboration with digital experts who not only bring strong digital capability but also understand the practical complexities of engineering and construction. By combining deep engineering expertise with digital innovation, we can accelerate delivery and build the resilient infrastructure Ireland needs.”

A Sector on the Move

The report gathered insights from more than 250 professionals representing over 170 companies across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe. What emerges is a sector that is moving forward — sometimes faster than expected, sometimes slower than it would like — but always in the direction of greater digital maturity.

The future is clear: construction and engineering will not only build with bricks and steel, but with data, digital intelligence, and collaboration at its core.