In the German construction industry, innovation activity and willingness must increase significantly in order to be able to meet the technological and socio-political goals and requirements with regard to residential construction as well as to resource conservation and climate protection. Obvious opportunities for increasing efficiency and productivity arise in the areas of digital planning and construction (Building Information Modeling, BIM), serial and modular construction, and data-based networking of construction processes along the value-added chain (Construction 4.0). In the long term, the new or further development of innovative construction technologies (e. g. 3D printing, automated machines and construction robotics) will partly also offer promising potentials. In view of the fact that the construction industry is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), digital applications will only be successful if the needs of SMEs are consistently integrated into the innovation and standardisation processes.