London, January 28, 2025 – In an era where the relationship between sustainability and profitability is increasingly becoming a priority of the construction industry’s agenda, Qualis Flow has released its highly anticipated report on the state of data quality in the sector. In today’s digital age, data has become the lifeblood of industries worldwide, and construction is no exception. While the industry has made significant strides in adopting digital tools for data capture, auditing, and reporting, the quality of that data is often overlooked in the race for quantity.
The construction sector faces mounting pressures: net-zero targets, safety regulation, and economic efficiency. This report shines a light on the state of data quality, focusing on material deliveries and waste removals—which account for 40% of project budgets and 90% of embodied carbon emissions.
Analysing over 1 million data points, the findings reveal clear, actionable solutions to address persistent challenges. Developed with input from BW Construction, Wilmott Dixon, and industry experts from Procore Technologies and 2050 Materials, the report offers a roadmap for improvement.
The challenges are real, and the opportunities for action are immediate—better data quality can save time, reduce costs, and drive the industry closer to achieving its net-zero goals.
Key Findings
The report reveals that poor data management continues to plague the construction sector, resulting in a staggering global loss of $1.84 trillion in 2020 alone (Autodesk, 2020). Additionally, 1 in 3 poor decisions in construction are linked to inaccurate or incomplete data (Autodesk, 2020). Despite the growing adoption of digital technologies, the industry is still grappling with significant data quality issues.
The Analysis Found That:
– 95% of delivery documentation and 75% of waste transfer notes were incomplete, inconsistent, or inaccurate.
– 91% of product and waste data required enrichment to become usable for analysis.
– A staggering 80% of contractors lack a structured approach to tracking delivery data.
– 95% of the problems associated with waste and delivery documentation could be solved with better data management.
Most alarmingly, only 34% of construction materials have enough data to accurately calculate their carbon emissions, a significant gap given the industry’s pressing need to meet net-zero goals. Similarly, only 63% of waste removal data had sufficient details to assess carbon emissions accurately.
“Data quality in construction is important because it ensures accountability. Accountability is what we need to transition the industry to a more climate-positive future”
Phanos Hadjikyriakou, CEO, 2050 Materials
The Stakes are High
“By having better quality data, you’re going to be able to drive better outcomes on the construction site because it enables you to make better-informed decisions on the task you’re trying to achieve.”
The findings emphasise the urgency of addressing these data gaps, not just for efficiency, but for compliance, safety, and sustainability. With growing regulatory pressures, including stricter environmental reporting and carbon emissions tracking, the construction industry must ensure accurate and reliable data for better decision-making and regulatory compliance.
Tony Harbour, Director or Partnerships EMEA, Procore Technologies
Inaccurate data is not just an inconvenience – it is a potential risk to public safety. Disasters like the Grenfell Tower fire and the Rana Plaza collapse underline the devastating consequences of poor data management in construction. Inadequate tracking of materials can lead to dangerous safety lapses and undermine accountability.
“Better data quality isn’t just a technical necessity; it’s a fundamental requirement for the future success of the construction industry,” says Brittany Harris, CEO and Co-founder of Qualis Flow. “This report highlights the critical importance of data quality, and we hope it inspires the sector to commit to improving it. By addressing the root causes of data inefficiencies, the industry can unlock the potential of digital technologies to ensure safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective projects.”
Steps for Action
The report outlines four clear and achievable steps that could resolve up to 95% of the challenges related to delivery and waste documentation. These steps focus on better standardisation, improved data literacy, and stronger industry collaboration. The good news? These changes are not years away—they are actionable today. By taking these steps, construction companies can quickly unlock significant benefits: saving time, reducing costs, and accelerating progress towards ambitious net-zero targets.
While the challenges of poor data quality are undeniable, this report is a message of opportunity. The path forward is clear, and the tools for change are already within reach. With better data practices, the construction industry can build not only smarter and safer projects but also a more sustainable and profitable future.
