The drivers and issues shaping the construction sector

The paper considers the drivers and issues shaping the global construction market. Global drivers transcend national boundaries; Australia must respond to the issues that will shape the sector in the future. Changes in demographics of the population and climate change are issues influencing the construction sector in a variety of ways. A survey of Chief Executive Officers showed a series of common issues facing all organisations, with sustainability and environmental legislation as a major issue. The importance of good design, new approaches to project finance and procurement with BOT/PPP models, leveraging technology to improve performance, and the need to focus on core competencies and markets were considered key drivers for the future. Improvements in interoperability are aiding the integration of design and production. Human resources and the importance of people are a common thread running throughout the paper. People will need to be incentivised to reflect their contribution to the design and production process. The future is not bleak, it is different.