PROGRESS MONITORING

Progress monitoring is the recurrent collection of information throughout a lifecycle to ensure the project is progressing as planned. Progress monitoring not only helps detect when something may have fallen behind but also prevents delays before they happen. Managers are alerted to issues as they arise and can implement solutions early before the issue slows everything down.

Assessments can be made on a daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis depending on how often updates are desired.

Thanks to features like waypoints and geotagging, a drone can replicate the exact photo each time it flies, providing consistent views to compare changes over time as well as before and after shots.

Aerial videos provide data in motion. Video offers a 360° view of structures and assets on the construction site from multiple vantage points and angles. A view this comprehensive would have been unobtainable in the past without a manned aircraft(which is incredibly expensive).

Aerial mapping is an advanced form of data analysis that is fully customizable. Orthomosaic maps can provide accurate measurements for the entire site or a targeted, such as storage areas where materials and supplies are kept.

All of these types of aerial data (photos, video, maps) are used to improve planning and communication. Periodic updates provided through aerial imagery will help projects stay on schedule and in turn, keep them from going over budget. Aerial imagery can be shared across teams, with managers, and with off-site stakeholders and investors who may be interested in keeping up with the site.

BENEFITS OF PROGRESS MONITORING

Rather than a limited “boots-on-the-ground” perspective or trying to piece together bits of information relayed from multiple departments/teams, a flight offers a singular, trustworthy, and consistent perspective. Flying a drone over a location provides a fully inclusive aerial view of progress over time. The result is an obvious improvement over traditional methods. Drones are:

Time-saving – Using a drone speeds up the surveying process, and reduces labor costs. Additionally, advanced software saves time afterward when compiling reports. All of the data can be processed and organized into an easy-to-read report. This eliminates the hours it would normally take to consolidate and organize all the information gathered manually. Managers can get updates in real-time, reducing the lag time between when a change happens and when they actually find out about it.

Thorough – Areas that are dangerous and difficult to traverse on foot pose little problem to a drone. Eliminate safety risks to workers by sending a drone to inspect those important assets and areas instead.

Reliable –New images can be taken monthly, weekly, or daily depending on the speed of the project. Drones can provide uniformity of perspective, location, and altitude with each inspection, making it easier to compare progress over time. Providing consistent viewpoints in each report improves productivity and cuts down on costs.

Yield detailed, accurate, and easy-to-read reports – Keep members of various teams informed. Aerial imagery can be shared with managers, stakeholders, and investors who are interested in keeping tabs on the project.

Progress monitoring may include: