Development of Knowledge-Based Services in Construction: From Product to Value Ecosystem

Introduction

The construction industry is one of the largest consumers of resources and capital globally. However, its productivity has remained significantly lower than industries such as automotive or information technology in recent decades (McKinsey, 2023). One of the main reasons for this is the excessive focus on the physical product (building or infrastructure) and neglecting knowledge-based services as a complementary part of the value chain. Today, the global trend is shifting towards transforming the construction industry from a product-centric model to a service-oriented one.

1. Knowledge-Based Services: The Driver of Productivity Change

Studies from the Journal of Construction Innovation (2024) show that projects utilizing knowledge-based services (such as Building Information Modeling, environmental data analysis, or lifecycle consulting) have experienced an average reduction in total costs by 15 to 20% and a 10% acceleration in delivery times.

• BIM and Digital Twin: These technologies are no longer just design tools. They have become platforms for knowledge-based services such as energy analysis, asset management, and even risk simulation.

• Artificial Intelligence and Data Mining: Predicting structural behavior or energy consumption of a project before construction creates direct value for investors.

2. Examples of Knowledge-Based Services in Construction

• Lifecycle Consulting: Decision-making about materials and systems is based not only on initial costs but also on costs over the next 30 years.

• Smart Monitoring and Maintenance Services: Using IoT to monitor the health of structures and installations, significantly reducing emergency repair costs.

• Innovative Financial Models: Knowledge-based companies are offering services that manage the financial risks of projects through economic scenario simulation.

3. Strategic Implications for the Industry

• Value Shift: The added value is shifting from the sale of “square meters” to the sale of “knowledge and services”.

• Global Competitiveness: Countries and companies that institutionalize knowledge-based services earlier will have an edge in the international project market.

• Attracting Foreign Investment: Institutional investors are looking for projects that are designed and managed according to knowledge-based standards, as they carry less risk.

4. Iran’s Position and Upcoming Opportunities

Despite its large construction market and high potential for specialized human resources, Iran is still behind in terms of infrastructure for knowledge-based services compared to regional countries. However, the opportunities are clear:

• Establishing joint D&R centers between universities and construction holding companies.

• Exporting engineering knowledge-based services to regional countries that are rapidly executing infrastructure projects.

• Developing startup companies in the fields of monitoring, BIM, and building energy management.

Conclusion

Knowledge-based services in the construction industry are not a “luxury add-on”; they are the foundation of future competitiveness in this sector. Just as renewable energy has changed the rules of the energy market, knowledge-based services are redefining the “nature of construction projects.”

In other words, in the near future, a valuable project will be one that offers not just walls and roofs, but also knowledge, data, and intelligent solutions to its stakeholders.