Beyond the Tools: Building Smarter to Inspire Better Lives
Beyond the Tools: Building Smarter to Inspire Better Lives
At the recent Digital Future Symposium organised by the Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore (REDAS) in April, Far East Organization shared how we are rethinking the way we build, blending decades of experience with a digital mindset. Themed “Roadmap to Transformation: Data-Driven Collaboration”, our presentation reflected on how our construction project delivery can be re-envisioned by embedding digital tools across our operations — from site management to strategic decision-making.
A Legacy of Progress and Innovation
Far East Organization's developments through the ages.
Far East Organization has been part of Singapore’s urban journey since 1960. Over the decades, we have delivered a wide range of developments across residential, retail, hospitality, medical, and industrial spaces. From early landed housing in Jalan Pacheli to Orchard Road landmarks like Lucky Plaza, and more recently, vibrant mixed-use developments such as One Holland Village and the upcoming The Reserve Residences and Hillhaven, we have always evolved with the times.
And now, the evolution has expanded into the digital space, where we are building a more agile, collaborative, and data-driven way of working.
Why Go Digital?
Moving from the traditional, manual methods of data collection for project management to data collection through digital tools.
At some point, we recognised that there was room to improve how we managed projects. While tools like PowerPoint, Excel, and email supported our work for years, they were not designed for the speed and complexity of today’s construction environment. Collaboration across teams was often based on data that was two or three weeks old, making it harder to respond swiftly or align in real time. In today’s construction landscape, data is essential. That’s why we have embraced digital tools that help us to:
- Work smarter through automation and real-time collaboration.
- Optimise costs with predictive analytics and digital twin technology.
- Enhance safety by identifying potential risks early.
- Make informed decisions with timely, accurate insights.
With digital platforms in place, teams now have access to real-time data, helping us stay connected, aligned and focused on solutions. It allows everyone involved, from management to contractors, a clearer view of what’s happening and when, and to respond with confidence.
Hillhaven: A Pilot Project Leading the Way
Hillhaven is the pilot project leading the way for digital transformation.
One of the most exciting milestones on this journey is our work at Hillhaven, our pilot project for the Real Estate Analytics and Performance Indicators Dashboard (RAPID) platform. Led by REDAS, the developer-centric dashboard, RAPID, was launched in 2023 as part of a broader push towards Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) to track key performance indicators – time, cost, quality and safety. This pilot gave us a hands-on look at what digital transformation could mean for our day-to-day work. With RAPID, we can:
- Track project in real-time using a customisable dashboard.
- Quick view of key metrics like authority submissions, tender milestones, and construction progress using traffic light colour coding for clarity.
- Improved collaboration across departments, from C-suite leaders, project managers, and procurement teams to workplace safety and estate management.
“With RAPID, our teams gain instant access to project-critical data, whether it’s site performance, contractor updates, or risk alerts. It gives us the visibility to make sharper decisions, detect potential risks early, strengthen collaboration across the value chain and keep the project on track,” said Elias Toh, Deputy Director, Development Projects of Far East Organization.
Solving Problems Before They Happen
Pre-fabricated pre-finished volumetric construction progress charts for Tower A (left) and Tower B (right). Dashboard indicated Tower B is progressing slower (with less green blocks to indicate completion) and therefore intervention is necessary.
One example from Hillhaven involved tracking the progress of Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) modules. By digitising the process — from fabrication to fitting out and on-site installation — we are able to catch delays early and work with our partners to quickly resolve bottlenecks and issues. This kept the project on schedule and avoided unnecessary delays.
This kind of quick pivot would not have been possible without data in hand, and RAPID helped make that visibility possible.
Learning Through Challenges
On-site with our partners to work through challenges and align on next steps – with support from RAPID’s real-time insights.
The journey has been one of learning and adjustment. Digital transformation is a big shift, and naturally, there were early hurdles to overcome such as:
- Familiarising ourselves with RAPID took time – close to 5 months.
- The learning curve was steeper for teams accustomed to the traditional workflows.
- We also needed to adapt to new concerns around cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.
Even so, the value is clear. The key to making a difference lies in building trust and gaining buy-in across the entire value chain, from our internal stakeholders to external contractors and consultants. When everyone is onboard, digital collaboration becomes smoother, faster and more meaningful.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Up to Inspire Better Lives
Bringing our vision to life – creating places like One Holland Village mall that reflect what it means to inspire better lives.
The journey doesn’t stop here. We are looking to scale digital adoption across more of our projects. There is also the exciting potential in integrating AI to drive predictive insights and uncover trends, and design more value-added developments. At the heart of this is our vision to inspire better lives by building places where people can live, work and play through meaningful and thoughtfully designed developments.
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