Editor's Note: In Issue 6

Welcome to the third installment of our eBook series "AI Powered Construction Management Pt. 2." This chapter zooms in on the pivotal role of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) during the pre-construction phase of project management so critical for setting the trajectory of construction projects. Artificial intelligence (AI) is fundamentally elevating the planning and execution stages of construction projects.

The intricate relationships between general contractors and their subcontractors influence each of the pillars of construction management—schedule, safety, and quality. While subcontractors bring invaluable specialized knowledge and expertise to a project, they also introduce layers of complexity in coordination, contractual obligations, and liability.

Over 75 percent of construction projects are delivered behind schedule, plagued by operational problems. But the construction industry can now leverage Lean Construction infused with artificial intelligence (AI) to improve project efficiency, safety and decision-making, says a new white paper How Can AI Help You Drive Lean Construction Performance?

The term "AI" is everywhere, along with several associated terms that may be less familiar. There is a lot of hype around “AI” and yet it is not always precisely clear what people are talking about. Hugh Seaton, CDT, CCS, CEO at The Link, helps clear some of the smoke.

After a long period of relative indifference by the construction industry, it appears that the industry has finally started to emerge from the Tech Adoption Curve's "innovator/early adoption" stage. At the annual AGC Tech Conference in Chicago this past month, attended by more than 300 people, mostly general contractors, it was clear that AI is, if nothing else, on everyone's minds.

Welcome to the second installment of our eBook series, "AI-Powered Construction Management Part 2." In this chapter, we focus on the construction phase. As projects move from planning to execution, the complexities and challenges of managing timeframes and budgets intensify. The construction phase, characterized by its dynamic environment and unforeseen variables, demands not just precision but also estimation adaptability.

It is a struggle to find engaging ways to communicate important messages to people across different technical understandings and aptitudes. A technical document with facts and figures understandable to an engineer might cause the eyes of an ironworker to glaze over. Conversely, a jargon-heavy document discernible by a qualified tradesperson could readily baffle a young project manager. AI can help.

When it comes to successfully managing construction projects today and tomorrow, data is king and artificial intelligence (AI) is the secret sauce, according to panelists at the July 17 AI + Digital Excellence in Construction Virtual Summit. “If we aren’t giving data management it’s proper respect, then things don’t work well down the road,” said Kevin Soohoo, Director of AEC Practice, Egnyte.

As you approach the preconstruction phase of a project, you may not be thinking about the 2004 science-fiction film "The Butterfly Effect," in which a man travels back in time to change the future. But you should at least be cognizant of the concept, says Preston Robinson, Director of Pre-construction at The Haskell Company.

AI-Powered Planning, Scheduling and Safety Management

AI-Powered Progress Monitoring

AI Powered Project Management