Singapore construction firms cut tech tools to boost productivity

Autodesk said companies are prioritising data consolidation.

Singapore construction firms are shifting from adopting more technology tools to consolidating their digital systems, according to Autodesk.

The company’s State of Digital Adoption in the Construction Industry 2026 report, developed with Deloitte Access Economics, found that Singapore firms reduced the average number of technologies used from 7.3 in 2025 to 6.5 in 2026.

Autodesk said the decline does not point to slower digitalisation, but to efforts to streamline technology stacks, reduce data fragmentation, and improve operational workflows.

Technology remains widely used in the sector, with 47% of Singapore construction employees using construction-specific tools weekly. This ranked Singapore third in APAC, tied with Japan, behind Vietnam at 52% and Australia at 48%.

The top technologies used by Singapore construction firms are data analytics and construction management cloud software, both at 55%, followed by mobile apps at 48%.

Across APAC, construction firms reduced their median number of data environments and point solutions from 11 to 6, creating a stronger foundation for advanced tools such as AI.

Autodesk said the shift comes as Singapore’s construction productivity remains under pressure. Citing SingStat data, the report said the sector’s value-added per actual hour worked fell 3.8% from 2009 to 2023, even as other parts of the economy posted stronger growth.

The sector is also facing regulatory pressure, with Building Information Modelling set to be required for all new developments in Singapore by late 2026.

Across APAC, 95% of businesses are taking steps to address digital skills gaps. Upskilling existing workers internally was the most common approach, used by 64% of firms, and 67% of those firms reported positive results.