CEWales prepares first version of digital construction toolkit for Welsh firms

Constructing Excellence in Wales (CEWales) is preparing to launch the first version of its Digital Construction Toolkit website. In its latest update on the project, it said it expects the launch in the following month, once the Welsh Government has agreed to its release.

In the update, the organisation said it has continued work for the Welsh Government on a practical guide to digital matters for the industry. The work is supported by a Digital Steering Group led by Dan Rossiter of BSi and Rhys Lewis of Revitzo.

What the toolkit does

According to CEWales, two elements sit at the centre of the toolkit.

The first is already built: a quick way for a firm to create a "persona", developed with input from the steering group. CEWales said this is designed to make sure the advice a business receives is relevant to it.

The second is still being refined. This is a "digital profile" assessment, which CEWales said will let each company gauge its capabilities across a wide range of areas, from simple cyber security through to federated data.

CEWales said the aim is to help firms understand where they currently stand, and then to work out where more, or less, digital activity might benefit their bottom line.

Background

In a newsletter, CEWales said its team was developing a Digital Construction Toolkit for the Welsh construction industry, working with Rossiter and Lewis as co-chairs of the Wales Digital Steering Group.

Separately, CEWales has said the toolkit is intended to help the Welsh construction industry use digital tools and approaches to support business growth, compliance and productivity.

CEWales also had a role in the Welsh Government's digital action plan for the built environment sector. According to the Welsh Government, it commissioned CEWales to provide the research and development of that plan, whose stated vision is a profitable, efficient, productive, safe and sustainable built environment and construction sector.

Why it matters

For contractors, consultants and suppliers in Wales, the toolkit offers a structured way to benchmark digital capability. The persona step means the guidance is intended to reflect the type of firm using it, rather than applying one standard to every business.

The range of the assessment is also notable. By spanning basic cyber security at one end and federated data at the other, it is set up to cover firms at very different stages of digital adoption.

What happens next

CEWales said that when the first version of the website goes live, it will invite the industry to log in, test it and give feedback.

The organisation will also be asking for volunteers to provide case studies of digital changes within their own businesses. Firms wanting to hear more can contact CEWales at info@cewales.org.uk.