Revolutionising project performance tracking with AI-powered site capture transforming Monitoring & Evaluation with smart innovation
The HDA Geographic Information Systems team deployed the solution at the Military Veterans Project in Vista Park III, Free State, which comprises 30 fully constructed housing units designed specifically for Military Veteran beneficiaries. In its ongoing quest to uphold its reputation as an innovative and forward-thinking entity within the Human Settlements Sector, the HDA’s Monitoring and Evaluation, Knowledge Management and Research (MEKMR) Unit is boldly stepping into the future. By harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the unit is reshaping the way project performance is monitored and evaluated introducing cutting-edge tools that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making. As mandated by the HDA Act of 2008, one of the Agency’s primary objectives is to “monitor the provision of all infrastructure required for housing development.”
In line with this responsibility, the MEKMR Unit recently conducted a situational analysis of the Agency’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) function. A consistent challenge that emerged was the limited visual documentation of project sites. Traditionally, the Agency has relied heavily on secondary data sourced from on-site Project Managers an approach that, while useful, has its limitations when it comes to verification and oversight.
In pursuit of more effective solutions, the MEKMR team engaged in extensive research within the sector and discovered OpenSpace – an AI-powered Site Capture platform that is revolutionising the way projects are tracked and documented. This solution offers 360-degree visual documentation of construction sites, all accessible remotely from the comfort of an office desk.
In collaboration with officials from the Free State Provincial Office, the pilot was a success. Early findings from the deployment showed promise – not only in enhancing the quality and granularity of site data, but also in reducing the need for frequent physical site visits. The immersive visual insights provided by OpenSpace allow decisionmakers to monitor progress, verify outputs, and assess site conditions with unprecedented clarity and ease.
This pilot marks just the beginning. In the coming months, the AI Site Capture Solution will be tested in other regions to assess its scalability and overall effectiveness in improving M&E processes. The ultimate goal is to fully integrate this system into the HDA’s broader Monitoring and Evaluation framework’— enhancing transparency, streamlining workflows, and supporting datadriven decision-making.
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A New Era in Monitoring & Evaluation
By reducing logistical challenges and enhancing real-time access to site information, the HDA is positioning itself at the forefront of AI adoption in the public housing sector. This initiative not only aligns with the Agency’s innovation mandate but also signals a strategic shift toward smarter governance and accountability in housing development. The integration of AI in project tracking is more than just a technological upgrade – it is a transformation in how we operate, evaluate, and innovate. As the system evolves and expands, the HDA stands ready to lead the sector into a more data-rich, efficient, and intelligent future
