Construction Leaders See Growth in Infrastructure — but Tech Gaps and Rework Threaten Progress

As demand for construction surges globally, new research reveals that the industry is struggling to keep pace with its own ambitions. A report released by Revizto, a provider of integrated collaboration tools for architecture, engineering, construction, and operations (AECO), outlines a widening gap between rising project complexity and the industry’s ability to deliver efficiently.

According to the inaugural Bridging the Gap: 2025 Digital Design & Construction Report, infrastructure is emerging as the strongest growth opportunity across the AECO sector, cited by 41% of global leaders. Yet despite this optimism, project inefficiencies continue to strain budgets and timelines. More than half (56%) of survey respondents said client changes and scope creep are the top causes of costly rework, followed by unexpected site conditions (53%) and design errors (45%).

The findings highlight a sector at a crossroads. While governments in the U.S. and U.K. are investing heavily in infrastructure and public works, many firms remain reliant on outdated practices. Technology integration and adoption was cited as the number one business challenge across respondents — ranking higher than labor shortages, regulatory hurdles, or rising materials costs. Despite increased interest in automation and AI (63% of AECO professionals are following developments), 27% of project teams still rely on email, spreadsheets, and PDFs for day-to-day project delivery.

Budget overruns remain common. An overwhelming 92% of AECO professionals report experiencing budget changes during construction, even when contingency funds are built into estimates. In the U.S., 42% of respondents said cost increases typically land between 11–20% above initial projections; in the U.K., that number rises to 51%.

Roman Baran, Senior Manager of Digital Construction at Canary Wharf Group, noted that these findings echo long-standing concerns in the industry: “This report highlights what many of us have long understood: improving collaboration is the clearest path to boosting productivity in construction. With the right tools, like Revizto, we can bridge the gaps between design and delivery to reduce rework, minimize budget overruns, and improve outcomes.”

As the global construction market is projected to grow to $22 trillion by 2040, the stakes are high. Revizto CEO Arman Gukasyan underscored the urgency for change: “The opportunity is immense — but so is the risk. Outdated practices and fragmented project delivery are costing the industry and public billions. Smarter, more collaborative ways of working are essential to reduce waste and rework on critical infrastructure projects.”

The report paints a picture of an industry that recognizes the challenges ahead — and is actively searching for ways to adapt. The question now is whether companies can move fast enough to close the gap between technological potential and on-the-ground reality.