Best of LinkedIn: Digital Construction CW 36/ 37

00:00:00: Welcome to the Deep Dive.

00:00:02: This deep dive is brought to you by Thomas Allgaier and Frenus based on the most relevant LinkedIn posts about digital construction from calendar weeks thirty six and thirty seven.

00:00:11: Frenus is a B to B market research company that helps enterprises across the construction industry gain the market customer and competitive insights they need to navigate dynamic markets and drive customer centric product development.

00:00:23: You know for anyone in construction it often feels like we're caught in this whirlwind of digital transformation.

00:00:49: That's exactly right.

00:00:50: And what's really striking this time, I think, is how practical.

00:00:54: these conversations have become very execution focused.

00:00:57: It's less about the theoretical what ifs of technology, you know, and much more about the how how companies are actually deploying AI, how they're harnessing data, refining BIM to deliver real, measurable results.

00:01:10: Whether that's out on a busy job site or back in the project office, we're consistently seeing these themes around, well, effective governance, pragmatic adoption, and crucially, proving those measurable outcomes.

00:01:21: Right.

00:01:21: So if you're looking for a shortcut to being well-informed, maybe grab some surprising facts and actionable insights, you've definitely come to the right place.

00:01:29: We're going to unpack the most important nuggets of knowledge from these industry.

00:01:33: Okay, let's jump straight into AI and automation then, because it's clearly a primary driver right now.

00:01:40: We're seeing this fascinating shifts where field teams are actively pushing AI beyond just being a concept directly into practice.

00:01:49: And this comes with a big emphasis on things like prompt quality, ensuring safe use, and really nailing the strategic change management that's needed to decide its overall impact.

00:01:59: That's a powerful observation.

00:02:01: You know, Elliot Christensen actually kicked off a really insightful discussion there.

00:02:05: He drew this fascinating parallel between the NFL and construction.

00:02:08: He argues that just like a championship football team wouldn't dream of using last season's playbook to win today, well, why are we still sticking to outdated construction workflows?

00:02:17: That's a great analogy.

00:02:18: Yeah.

00:02:18: And he points to how integrated tools are crucial.

00:02:21: Everything from established project management platforms like Oracle Cloud P six for the detailed scheduling.

00:02:27: It's a specialized monitoring systems like disperse.

00:02:29: that track progress visually.

00:02:31: The underlying point is how all these diverse technologies, drones, three hundred and sixty cams, using platforms like OpenSpace or drone deploy for reality capture, they're creating this richer real-time data ecosystem.

00:02:44: It fundamentally changes how projects get planned and executed.

00:02:47: He even gave shout-outs to innovators like ClearStory, SubBase, Billcheek, Dusty Robotics.

00:02:53: They're all part of this modern playbook.

00:02:54: Absolutely.

00:02:55: And picking up on that idea of constantly refining our playbook.

00:02:58: Erdem Everon shows how automated workflow tools, like NAN, that's a low-code automation platform, are becoming the engine for this next gen efficiency.

00:03:08: We're talking about automating all sorts of things, project status reports, real-time site monitoring, maybe even procurement and inventory management.

00:03:14: And this isn't just about speed, right?

00:03:16: It's about freeing up our teams from those mundane repetitive tasks so they can actually focus on strategic, high-value work.

00:03:22: Okay, but taking a step back here, the human element of AI adoption is just so crucial.

00:03:27: Ian Gray.

00:03:27: for instance, he shines a spotlight on a critical reality that's often overlooked.

00:03:32: Our teams are already using AI out in the field, often quietly, just on their phones.

00:03:36: Right, under the radar sometimes.

00:03:37: Exactly.

00:03:38: But he really stresses that garbage prompt equals garbage safety.

00:03:42: He gives this eye-opening example.

00:03:45: A lazy prompt for a JHA, a job hazard analysis versus a smart prompt, one that acts like a certified safety professional, referencing OSHA, to generate a truly comprehensive hazard analysis.

00:03:56: It just highlights that leadership needs to step in, make sure AI makes job sites safer, not become a source of liability.

00:04:03: That's precisely the challenge, yeah.

00:04:04: And it's what Pascal Bornet really drives home.

00:04:07: He argues this isn't just about the technology itself.

00:04:09: It's about a fundamental reshaping of our workforce, our management.

00:04:13: If AI-driven automation, like say, a robot tiling a thousand square meters a day, becomes common, the real question becomes, what skills do our human teams need now to stay ahead?

00:04:25: He envisions people moving up the value chain into robot maintenance, quality assurance, AI-driven project management.

00:04:32: He really believes automation should elevate workers, not, you know, eliminate them.

00:04:36: That vision of elevation is pretty compelling.

00:04:38: And Hubert Romberg shares an even bolder one, his company's ambition to become a leading physical AI company in construction.

00:04:45: Wow, okay.

00:04:46: Yeah, their approach is digital built first.

00:04:48: They use reality capture for digital twins, game engine simulations for optimization, and their Qtainer platform, get this, with private five G onsites to process data in real time.

00:04:58: He envisions construction AI where connected learning machines augment human teams.

00:05:03: Think of it almost like robot as a service, but these robots are equipped with like, a hundred and forty years of knowledge.

00:05:08: It's a grand vision, isn't

00:05:10: it?

00:05:10: It really is.

00:05:11: And while that future is certainly exciting, Roger Dobb offers a crucial reality check.

00:05:18: His post, the AI hype won't save construction, basically argues AI isn't some magic silver bullet.

00:05:25: It's an amplifier.

00:05:26: An amplifier, right?

00:05:27: If your underlying processes are broken, AI will just automate those bad assumptions faster.

00:05:32: Strong processes get stronger, weak ones collapse even quicker.

00:05:35: His advice, give your top performers superpowers with AI.

00:05:39: Don't focus on trying to replace people.

00:05:41: It's a really pragmatic reminder to build on a solid foundation first.

00:05:44: That's a perfect segue actually, because it's clear none of this AI stuff happens without solid data.

00:05:49: Moving from AI's direct application, these LinkedIn discussions really highlight data and digital twins as, well, the foundational layers for smart construction.

00:05:57: Indeed.

00:05:58: Christopher Langeza shared some great insights from his chat with Indra Gutierrez.

00:06:05: She managed to scale her company sustainably, but by consciously rejecting that growth-at-all-costs mindset.

00:06:12: Her key to success wasn't just hard work, it was making data-driven decisions.

00:06:17: focusing on projects that truly aligned with their mission, their margins, not just chasing volume.

00:06:23: It's a powerful testament to data strategic role.

00:06:25: Yeah, absolutely.

00:06:26: But this all raises a critical point.

00:06:28: Yeah.

00:06:29: How do we build trust in this data driven future?

00:06:31: Doug Vincent flagged data sovereignty and security as like make or break issues for AI adoption.

00:06:36: Project owners understandably want AI's benefits, but not at the cost of losing control over their own data, right?

00:06:42: Or having it used for external model training.

00:06:44: That's a huge concern.

00:06:45: Totally.

00:06:46: He pointed to companies like Mass who are tackling this head-on.

00:06:48: They're choosing infrastructure that specifically guarantees data sovereignty and enterprise greed security.

00:06:53: It really speaks to that critical trust factor in our digital evolution.

00:06:57: And that quotient of trust leads directly to defining what a digital twin truly is.

00:07:02: Flooring humor clarifies that if your digital twin isn't a living breathing system, it's probably just Well, a dumb three D model.

00:07:09: He outlines this critical five layer tech stack.

00:07:12: It starts with data acquisition, like IoT sensors, LiDAR scanning, then data transmission, often using protocols like MQTT.

00:07:19: Okay.

00:07:20: The digital model itself, your BIM data integration into cloud databases with AI analysis.

00:07:25: And finally, the brain, which is the actual service it provides, like real time monitoring or early warnings.

00:07:31: It's a really comprehensive view of what makes a twin truly smart.

00:07:34: That's a great breakdown of what's actually under the hood.

00:07:37: And we saw a fantastic real-world application from Silkelkochler Shikovsky.

00:07:41: She highlighted Shtotwork Sarluye.

00:07:43: They're taking their network data to a whole new level with three-D documentation, moving beyond old, two-D plans to a full digital twin.

00:07:51: This means more precise planning, much more efficient maintenance, and better simulations for future energy and infrastructure needs.

00:07:57: It just clearly demonstrates the practical, long-term value of a robust digital twin strategy.

00:08:04: also shared some exciting news about Autodesk's AEC data model getting a significant upgrade.

00:08:10: What this means for you really is breaking down those large cumbersome files into granular accessible data with the consistent structure.

00:08:18: It makes Revit data far more usable outside the model itself.

00:08:22: He even built an AI-powered four-D app just to test its capabilities.

00:08:25: Oh, interesting.

00:08:27: Yeah, demonstrating how custom properties, like cost or carbon footprint, can be tied directly to BIM elements.

00:08:34: It creates a really strong foundation for using AI effectively.

00:08:37: This truly unlocks that next level of BIM data.

00:08:41: OK, let's turn our attention now to BIM and VDC building information modeling and virtual design and construction.

00:08:47: These remain absolutely central to digital transformation, especially when you talk about collaboration and compliance.

00:08:53: Indeed, they do.

00:08:54: Conrad Fugus shared a pretty candid post that I think resonated with a lot of people about why multidisciplinary BIM coordination often falls short.

00:09:01: He points out that good coordination doesn't just magically happen, right?

00:09:04: BIM coordinators need discipline-specific exports that are clean, complete, properly structured.

00:09:09: The basics.

00:09:10: Exactly.

00:09:11: The basics.

00:09:11: Too many projects, he notes.

00:09:13: Skip these fundamentals.

00:09:15: And that leads to impossible clash.

00:09:16: detection later.

00:09:18: Expensive redesigns mid-construction.

00:09:20: It's a major pain point that costs real money.

00:09:22: That's a challenge we hear constantly.

00:09:24: What's fascinating here, though, is how BIM is also kind of forcing integration, but for the better.

00:09:29: Ross Griffin highlights that BIM integration enhances collaboration between quantity surveyors, cost managers, and the divine teams.

00:09:37: Right.

00:09:37: Bringing them together earlier.

00:09:38: Precisely.

00:09:39: He's passionate about using the design team's three-D model info to develop cost plans and bills of quantities much earlier in the process.

00:09:47: Streamlining services, ultimately improving both time and quality.

00:09:51: It's about leveraging that rich information for better, earlier decisions.

00:09:55: And this naturally raises an important question about the true cost of this integration.

00:09:59: Nikolay Jović makes a pretty bold statement here.

00:10:02: He says the real cost of BIM isn't the software or the hardware.

00:10:05: In most projects, something like eighty-five to ninety-seven percent of the cost is human time talent and teamwork.

00:10:11: Wow, that high.

00:10:12: Yeah.

00:10:13: He argues that while licenses and computers are easy enough to acquire, growing a great BIM expert, that takes years.

00:10:20: It's a powerful reminder that our people are the most valuable asset, and investing in them is just paramount for getting better BIM outcomes.

00:10:27: That's a truly essential point to remember.

00:10:30: Mario Henryx Rebello presents a critical use case this time for municipalities.

00:10:34: Digital building permit, or DBP integration, by providing GIS layers to designers, ingesting BIM models for automatic compliance checks, and feeding all that into digital twins.

00:10:46: Municipalities can achieve faster, safer approvals, and smarter, data-driven urban planning.

00:10:52: He emphasizes relying on open standards too from OGC and Building Smart International.

00:10:57: This has huge implications for urban development and efficiency down the line.

00:11:00: And kind of tying this all together, Lisa Teresa Dr.

00:11:03: Lenz shared her personal journey of founding BIM GLW.

00:11:08: Her vision was clear.

00:11:09: provide practical BIM solutions, specifically tailored for builders, integrating production system planning right into the building planning phase, combining material flows with spatial functions.

00:11:19: She even developed FabBIM, that's BIM Fabric Planning, as a startup.

00:11:25: It shows real world application of academic research into something tangible and useful.

00:11:29: That's really inspiring to see.

00:11:31: And to ensure consistency and interoperability on a global scale, Bobby Sankar-Morthy points to the Dubai BIM standards.

00:11:37: They're really driving digital transformation and construction over there.

00:11:40: They mandate the use of IFC, that's the open BIM format for permit submissions.

00:11:44: They align with ISO, and they define clear roles and responsibilities.

00:11:49: Having a clear standard.

00:11:50: Exactly.

00:11:51: This whole initiative aims to accelerate permit approvals and build a more sustainable, smart, and globally competitive construction sector.

00:11:58: definitely sets a high bar for digital standards worldwide.

00:12:01: Okay,

00:12:02: let's shift gears a bit now.

00:12:03: How is digital innovation fundamentally reshaping industrialized construction and overall project delivery, especially in the really complex areas?

00:12:13: My thoughts exactly.

00:12:15: Michael Doroshenko argues that in modular construction, it's not just architecture anymore.

00:12:19: It's intelligent architecture, as he puts it.

00:12:22: And it's something like over ninety percent data.

00:12:24: Ninety percent data?

00:12:25: Yeah.

00:12:26: The complexity just multiplies exponentially when you factor in factory production, transportation logistics, crane physics on site.

00:12:33: He believes we need to fundamentally shift our perspective, move away from seeing architecture as primarily visual, and focus instead on the vast amounts of non- visual data beneath it all.

00:12:44: Building codes, structural analysis, scheduling to truly manage this kind of exponential complexity.

00:12:49: That's

00:12:50: a significant perspective shift required there.

00:12:52: And Chun King Lee really expands on that with the Demacom philosophy.

00:12:55: It stands for Design, Engineering, Manufacturing, Assembly, Construction, Operation Maintenance.

00:13:00: It's a mouth.

00:13:00: It is, but it's much more than just an acronym, right?

00:13:03: It's a holistic approach, trying to connect every single stage of a project from the initial design all the way through long-term operation and maintenance.

00:13:12: beyond just managing information or delivery to a truly integrated life cycle approach.

00:13:17: That's a potential game changer for complex projects.

00:13:20: Indeed.

00:13:21: And it reinforces what Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-Ola-O.

00:13:34: to those digital twin discussions is how integrating real-time data from these off-site manufacturing facilities into a project's digital twin.

00:13:50: Well, that can move prefabrication beyond just efficiency.

00:13:54: It can lead to truly predictive quality assurance and optimized logistics.

00:13:59: Okay, switching to project control then.

00:14:01: Leah Tsai proposes implementing a predictive capital expenditure risk engine.

00:14:06: She paints this vivid picture of a CFO who's, say, One point two billion dollar project spirals one hundred eighty million dollars over plan.

00:14:15: Why?

00:14:16: Because forecasting was based on lacking reports.

00:14:18: Old news.

00:14:19: A familiar story, unfortunately.

00:14:20: Too familiar.

00:14:21: But a predictive engine, she argues, reads bids, subcontractor schedules, material pricing in real time.

00:14:27: It flags risks as they emerge.

00:14:30: She claims it can cut forecasting variants dramatically and save millions just by flagging procurement risks early.

00:14:36: That's an incredibly tangible benefit for the bottom line.

00:14:39: That's a serious impact, absolutely.

00:14:41: Henry Bradlow also shared how adaptive is advancing AI specifically in construction finance.

00:14:46: They have this thing called the shadow pipeline.

00:14:48: Shadow pipeline.

00:14:49: Yeah, it's a system that measures their AI agents while they're in production, and it allows for rapid experimentation against real world data to validate assumptions quickly.

00:14:57: It helps them spot blind spots, harden their agents, basically allowing them to move faster with more confidence in their AI applications for finance.

00:15:05: And building on that theme of tangible financial impact, Tristan Wilson spoke at Napa Impact about AI AI's significant influence on bid strategies.

00:15:14: He shared this compelling example.

00:15:16: A four hundred million dollar contractor used AI to analyze their entire bid history.

00:15:22: Okay.

00:15:23: The AI found they could have priced about five percent higher on most of their past jobs and still won them.

00:15:28: which led directly to an additional two million dollar profit on their very next bit.

00:15:32: Wow, just like that.

00:15:33: Just like that.

00:15:34: It really underscores that AI is already here for competitive intelligence.

00:15:37: It's not some distant future concept.

00:15:40: Absolutely.

00:15:40: So if we connect all this technology back to the bigger picture, it ultimately serves people, right?

00:15:45: Yeah.

00:15:45: The human element, workforce development, skills, adoption.

00:15:48: It's proving to be decisive in whether these innovations truly succeed or just fizzle out.

00:15:52: Absolutely critical.

00:15:53: Hamza Shambhari used Labor Day, actually, as a potent reminder.

00:15:57: Technology doesn't build, people do.

00:15:59: He emphasizes that contact, all this construction technology, should enable safer, faster, higher quality work for laborers.

00:16:06: He makes it really clear, if it does not serve the field, it is fringe.

00:16:09: That's such a vital perspective, keep it grounded.

00:16:12: Exactly, keep it grounded in what actually helps the people doing the work.

00:16:16: Yeah, and that's a crucial filter.

00:16:17: This also raises that important question about job security again.

00:16:21: Aaron Treliving argues that while AI will undoubtedly transform design and project management, The demand for skilled trades, brick layers, carpenters, plumbers will only grow.

00:16:32: He calls these AI future-proof careers.

00:16:36: Interesting term.

00:16:36: Isn't it?

00:16:37: He cites UK numbers predicting a significant shortfall of construction workers by twenty twenty-eight.

00:16:43: It highlights a critical urgent need for investing in these essential skills.

00:16:47: We need more people in the trades.

00:16:49: And Daniel Tide supports this.

00:16:51: He notes that architectural and engineering practice is being redefined by digital tools and automation.

00:16:56: The focus is definitely shifting.

00:16:58: Firms that adapt proactively will likely lead, while those that don't, well, they may face serious disruption.

00:17:05: It's a clear call to action for the entire industry to evolve its skill sets.

00:17:09: which makes Ian Curtis's point all the more urgent.

00:17:12: He highlights a recent survey revealing some construction companies are significantly lagging in their digital transformation journeys.

00:17:19: He's urging C-suite action to address this to unlock the returns.

00:17:23: It just highlights that critical need for leadership to actually remove blockers and actively fund adoption.

00:17:29: Otherwise, that competitive gap is just going to widen.

00:17:32: So what does this all mean for educating the next generation then?

00:17:36: Emanuel Dr.

00:17:36: Kindren, who teaches AI to civil engineers, shared a fantastic example of applied learning.

00:17:43: One of his students, Bruang Samuel, developed an application during an internship.

00:17:48: It saves hours by helping his engineering team mine regulations and past reports using AI.

00:17:53: That's brilliant.

00:17:54: Practical.

00:17:55: Exactly.

00:17:56: Just shows how practical AI training can directly enhance productivity for future engineers.

00:18:00: It's really inspiring to see that kind of immediate impact.

00:18:03: It truly is.

00:18:04: But you know, none of this works in a vacuum.

00:18:05: Todd Wayant reminds us that while AI and real-time data can transform project management, it all hinges on effective change management.

00:18:13: The people side again.

00:18:14: Always the people side.

00:18:15: Technology augments creativity and expertise, sure, but it can't replace them.

00:18:20: Ultimately, success depends on fostering that culture of curiosity, continuous improvement, and crucially trust.

00:18:28: That cultural aspect is just absolutely paramount.

00:18:30: And building right on that, A.J.

00:18:32: Waters shared twenty-eight rules for building smarter in construction.

00:18:36: His number one rule, don't digitize chaos.

00:18:39: Fix the process first, then add tech.

00:18:42: Amen to that.

00:18:43: Right.

00:18:43: He also stresses, if the field hates it, you've failed.

00:18:46: Adoption is the metric that matters.

00:18:49: And profoundly, culture beats software every single time.

00:18:52: These are powerful hard one lessons straight from the trenches.

00:18:55: Absolutely powerful.

00:18:56: And that takes us perfectly to Joshua Wandt.

00:18:57: He moderated a panel on piloting and scaling construction tech.

00:19:01: Some key takeaways included finding a champion within the field team, you know, someone who truly believes in the tech and will advocate for it.

00:19:07: Yeah, being flexible with value capture beyond just traditional ROI, holding vendors accountable and scaling smartly based on pilot feedback and clear company goals.

00:19:17: These are really practical, actionable steps for any company looking to.

00:19:22: And maybe to cap this crucial theme on the human element.

00:19:25: Omri Stern explains why so many AI pilots actually fail.

00:19:28: Research shows over ninety percent never deliver ROI, not because of the technology itself, interestingly, because of how companies adopt it.

00:19:36: It's a powerful, maybe sobering reminder that the how is just as important, if not more important than the what when it comes to successful digital transformation.

00:19:45: That's

00:19:45: a perfect place to pause and reflect.

00:19:47: If you enjoyed this deep dive, new deep dive strop every two weeks.

00:19:51: Also be sure to check out our other editions on smart manufacturing and digital power tools.

00:19:55: So as we wrap up this deep dive, maybe consider this with AI amplifying our processes, data becoming our new foundation, and industrialized construction reshaping how we deliver.

00:20:05: The biggest unanswered question isn't if technology will transform construction.

00:20:09: We know it will.

00:20:10: It's how quickly our human culture, our willingness to learn, adapt, and trust these new tools can actually keep pace.

00:20:16: What small shift in your team's mindset could unlock the greatest digital leap forward for your next project?

00:20:22: Something to think about.

00:20:23: Thank you for joining us, and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss out on more insights to help you stay well informed.