📚
Business Models for Digitalization in Construction Consulting

Status: Completed

Category: Strategic Research / Business Model Innovation

In collaboration with: Luleå University of Technology and industry partners

Overview

This research project explored how digitalization is fundamentally changing business models in the construction consulting industry. As firms increasingly adopt tools like BIM, automation, and cloud-based platforms, their traditional ways of delivering value — and charging for it — are being challenged.

The project introduced the concept of Asset-Dominant Logic, a strategic approach that shifts focus from selling time to delivering digital services and scalable value.

What the Research Addressed

How construction consultants are responding to digital transformation
What kinds of product- and service-based offerings are emerging in place of hourly work
Why traditional hourly-based revenue models are becoming unsustainable in digitalized workflows
How firms can align their digital tools with new pricing models, client needs, and delivery methods

Key Contributions

Asset-Dominant Logic Framework
A new way of thinking about value creation in digital consulting — focusing on scalable tools and service components instead of billable hours.

Market Trend Analysis
Identification of productization and servitization as dominant responses to digitalization in Swedish AEC firms.

Revenue Model Alternatives
Evaluation of new pricing models such as subscription, outcome-based, and platform-based billing strategies.

Business Model Innovation Process
A practical step-by-step approach for firms to adapt their offerings and revenue logic to fit a digital-first environment.

Why It Matters

The findings are highly relevant for consulting firms, software providers, and project-based organizations looking to stay competitive in a rapidly digitalizing market. The research provides tools and insights to:

Move beyond hourly billing
Create repeatable, platform-ready services
Align internal operations with new client demands and tech capabilities
Support strategic innovation and long-term transformation

These insights also influence how TheConstruction.ai builds and delivers its own services and collaborates with clients and partners.

Learn More & Go Deeper

Interested in how these findings could apply to your organization? A summary of the research is available upon request, and we welcome conversations about collaboration or joint development.

🎧 Prefer to listen? Hear the full story behind the project — including practical examples and key takeaways — in our featured podcast episode:

👉 Listen to the podcast here

👉 Contact us to start a conversation