Best of LinkedIn: Digital Construction CW 44/ 45

00:00:00: This episode is provided by Thomas Allgaier and Frennis, based on the most relevant LinkedIn posts about digital construction in calendar weeks forty-four and forty-five.

00:00:09: Frennis is a B-to-B market research company that supports enterprises across the construction industry with the market, customer, and competitive insights they need to navigate dynamic markets and drive customer-centric product development.

00:00:23: Welcome back, everyone.

00:00:24: For this session, we're really going to cut through the noise on digital construction.

00:00:28: Yeah, we're looking at the key trends from LinkedIn lately.

00:00:30: Exactly.

00:00:31: And focusing specifically on what's actionable.

00:00:33: for you if you're in smart build and manufacturing, this is insights pulled straight from the conversation happening online.

00:00:39: And what's

00:00:40: striking, I think, is how practical everything's becoming.

00:00:43: It feels like we're past the pilot stage, you know?

00:00:46: The big theme seems to be this shift towards, well, model-driven delivery, focusing on field-first execution, and maybe most importantly, using AI to actually reduce friction, not just create flashy demos.

00:00:59: Right.

00:00:59: It really boils down to simple economics, doesn't it?

00:01:01: Right.

00:01:01: And fostering a learning culture, building repeatable digital workflows that genuinely de-risk schedules, improve quality.

00:01:09: cut waste.

00:01:09: Measurable

00:01:10: productivity.

00:01:11: That's the goal now, not just digitization for its own sake.

00:01:13: Precisely.

00:01:14: Which brings us nicely to our first big insight, how teams are using AI and automation like right now.

00:01:21: Okay, let's unpack this idea of AI as the practical co-pilot.

00:01:26: The sources suggest it's mainly about speeding up those routine kind of high volume tasks and pre-construction.

00:01:31: Yes, getting rid of the slow manual handling that just kills momentum.

00:01:35: And the efficiency gains they're talking about sound

00:01:38: well.

00:01:39: Pretty significant.

00:01:39: Oh, they're potentially staggering.

00:01:41: Saddle Mary shared some research suggesting up to forty percent of traditional back office tasks.

00:01:46: Forty percent.

00:01:47: Yeah.

00:01:48: Things like initial estimating, document control, cost forecasting could be streamlined by AI within, say, the next five years.

00:01:54: Wow.

00:01:55: Forty percent.

00:01:56: That's it.

00:01:56: That's a massive difference.

00:01:57: It absolutely is.

00:01:58: It's a difference between running lean and just, you know, running ragged.

00:02:01: So what does that mean strategically?

00:02:03: Does that forty percent efficiency mean smaller project teams or... or maybe the same team handling way more

00:02:10: work.

00:02:11: Good question.

00:02:13: I think it signals more of a capacity shift.

00:02:15: It lets your specialists, the estimators, engineers focus on the complex problems, the value add stuff, not just PDS data entry.

00:02:24: Right,

00:02:24: makes sense.

00:02:25: And you see this focus in the automation tools people are adopting now.

00:02:28: We saw posts talking about low code platforms like NAN.

00:02:31: Uh-huh,

00:02:32: the workflow automation tool.

00:02:33: Exactly, sort of drag and drop for building automated workflows.

00:02:37: Companies are using these to standardize those tricky internal handoffs between teams or systems.

00:02:43: So, specific things.

00:02:44: like automated status reports, or managing procurement checklists, maybe routing defect tracking data instantly.

00:02:51: Precisely.

00:02:52: It's about operational efficiency down in the trenches.

00:02:54: OK,

00:02:54: but there's always a catch, right?

00:02:55: There is.

00:02:56: And Eric Hilliter put it really well.

00:02:57: AI doesn't magically fix broken workflows.

00:03:00: It just amplifies them.

00:03:02: So if your process is chaotic now?

00:03:04: AI just makes the chaos happen faster, which is why the tech has to be built with construction realities in mind.

00:03:11: It needs to understand the language, the habits of the folks on site, the superintendents, the trades.

00:03:16: Otherwise it just becomes another unused software license, shelfware.

00:03:20: Exactly.

00:03:20: That's why so many implementations stumble, isn't it?

00:03:23: We try to force the field to fit the tech instead of the other way around.

00:03:26: Yeah.

00:03:27: And yet the potential for AI to handle more complex stuff seems to be growing incredibly fast.

00:03:33: It is.

00:03:34: Nate Fuller mentioned research from METR showing that the complexity of tasks AI can tackle in construction is like doubling every seven months.

00:03:42: Every seven months.

00:03:42: Yeah.

00:03:43: So those tasks that currently take maybe one to four hours, like drafting an RFI, comparing detailed bids, doing that initial schedule refinement, those are sitting right around the corner near that sort of twenty twenty five model horizon.

00:03:55: The trick is breaking them down into smaller, automatable sub tasks, making the complexity digestible for the machine.

00:04:02: OK, so if AI is optimizing the back office process, then the model, the BIM model becomes that single source of truth, right?

00:04:09: Absolutely.

00:04:10: Which brings us to model-based delivery.

00:04:13: The core philosophy here is really clear.

00:04:15: Plan in the model, then plan as a team.

00:04:18: It's all about finding those risks before you start digging.

00:04:21: Comprehensive risk discovery up front.

00:04:23: And this is where we move past just thinking BIM is cool tech, to understanding how BIM actually makes money.

00:04:29: Right.

00:04:30: By Baruch shared a really compelling study.

00:04:32: It showed that just using BIM for clash detection alone saved twenty percent of the contract value on one project.

00:04:39: Twenty

00:04:39: percent just from class detection.

00:04:41: Yeah.

00:04:41: Essentially by getting all the disciplines working together in that shared up-to-date model, you reduce the chance of those extensive on-site mistakes almost to zero.

00:04:50: That's not a soft benefit.

00:04:51: That's hard ROI.

00:04:52: And the models themselves are getting smarter too, right?

00:04:54: Definitely.

00:04:55: Alistair Lewis... talked about what he called BIM.

00:04:59: The ability to like generate building massing models in minutes.

00:05:02: Wow.

00:05:03: Automatically spit out hundreds of floor plan options, explore designs instantly, and crucially it integrates sustainability metrics, financial metrics right from the get go.

00:05:12: So it speeds up that whole conceptual design phase from weeks down to maybe days.

00:05:16: Exactly, that's the idea.

00:05:18: And that speed and precision then feed directly into planning the actual execution using four D and five D modeling.

00:05:24: Okay, the schedule and cost integration.

00:05:26: Right.

00:05:27: And James Bowles really emphasized a simple message here.

00:05:30: Economics.

00:05:31: beat theatrics.

00:05:33: Meaning it's not about making flashy forty videos for presentations.

00:05:37: It's about simple, repeatable forty routines, linking the schedule, the design, the site logistics to actually find constraints early, cut down waiting time, and improve safety coordination.

00:05:49: So

00:05:49: practical planning, not just pretty pictures.

00:05:51: Exactly.

00:05:52: Pragmatic time and resource management.

00:05:54: But the sources also stress that even a perfect digital model isn't enough on its own, correct?

00:05:58: You need the right process methodology to go with it.

00:06:01: That's a critical point.

00:06:03: Jose Vidal Quincott and Duando were really clear that integrating BIM with lean construction is essential, especially for complex projects.

00:06:10: Using lean tools like Last Planner or TAC planning?

00:06:13: Yes.

00:06:14: Their argument is that those lean methods, which focus on reliable workflow and controlling production on site, need the data-rich BIM models to make smart strategic decisions.

00:06:26: So they work together?

00:06:27: They have to.

00:06:28: You can have a collaborative contract, but if you don't have the lean principles guiding the operations, you're missing a huge piece.

00:06:35: They actually call pairing BIM and lean.

00:06:38: What was it, like red wine and steak?

00:06:40: Ah, okay.

00:06:41: And necessary pairing for the full experience, got it.

00:06:43: Makes sense.

00:06:43: So we've talked about the elegance of AI and BIM systems, but now we need to tackle the messier part, actually getting people on site to use this stuff.

00:06:53: Ah,

00:06:53: yes.

00:06:54: The adoption challenge.

00:06:55: The sources point to this persistent pretty massive gap between the logic of the system and the reality on the ground.

00:07:02: Yeah.

00:07:02: Zulkarnane highlighted how construction is built on these really deep-rooted traditions that often just clash with new tech.

00:07:08: Practical thing.

00:07:09: Absolutely.

00:07:10: Like the time needed for training, which some teams often don't have, or apps clearly designed for an office worker, not someone on a muddy site.

00:07:19: Trying to use complex software on tiny phone screens, maybe with gloves on.

00:07:24: It's

00:07:24: frustrating and Daniel Spink added that often the failure isn't even the software itself.

00:07:29: It's the poor preparation before rollout.

00:07:31: right trying to implement tech Before you've even audited your current maybe broken Processes or lacking that consistent push from leadership.

00:07:40: if the bosses aren't truly committed the tech just gathers.

00:07:43: dust becomes

00:07:44: shelf wear instantly exactly

00:07:46: which connects to this really critical point.

00:07:48: James Ronson raised the laggard problem.

00:07:51: Okay.

00:07:51: He pointed out that often the key decision makers onsite the superintendents, the project managers, can be the most resistant to change.

00:07:59: They're the laggards in the tech adoption curve.

00:08:01: And that creates a problem where even if a technology is proven to work well on one site,

00:08:05: it gets rejected on the next site just because the leadership there doesn't want to change how they've always done things.

00:08:11: Even if there's documented ROI like with reality capture programs.

00:08:14: That sounds like a huge cultural tax on the company.

00:08:17: If you know something saves twenty percent and a site leader says no thanks, you're actively choosing to be less

00:08:23: profitable.

00:08:24: It's a massive issue.

00:08:25: So the solution has to be about skills and fundamentally... about culture.

00:08:31: Tom Gould stressed that digital competency isn't optional anymore.

00:08:34: It's just the new baseline.

00:08:36: Right.

00:08:36: Everyone needs it.

00:08:37: Absolutely.

00:08:38: And Ruben Omar de la Rosa mapped out the kind of learning paths needed over the next five years.

00:08:42: It's about construction management certifications that now must include digital skills, BIM, AI workflows, alongside those crucial sustainability credentials.

00:08:52: So a big upskilling job for a whole generation of leaders.

00:08:55: Huge.

00:08:56: And the final piece, the foundation really, is culture.

00:08:59: We saw so much emphasis on psychological safety, on creating a genuine learning culture.

00:09:04: That's where continuous improvement actually comes from.

00:09:06: Like the discussions at events like LCI, the Lean Construction Institute.

00:09:09: Exactly.

00:09:10: People like Sam Sinclair, Adam Hoots.

00:09:13: The focus was heavily on respect for people.

00:09:17: You have to create an environment where the field teams feel safe enough to learn, to experiment, maybe even to point out flaws in the system without fearing blame.

00:09:26: That's the only way to make the tech actually stick and improve.

00:09:29: Precisely.

00:09:30: Okay, so shifting gears slightly.

00:09:32: What about the external forces kind of pulling digital construction forward?

00:09:36: Good point.

00:09:36: We're seeing massive systemic change driven by two huge factors right now.

00:09:42: Sustainability mandates.

00:09:43: especially in Europe, and the just unprecedented demand for AI infrastructure.

00:09:49: Right.

00:09:49: Let's take sustainability first.

00:09:50: Nicholas Aaron highlighted the urgency around the circular economy and European construction.

00:09:55: Yeah,

00:09:55: driven by the EU's pretty aggressive, twenty thirty zero mission building goals.

00:09:59: This demands a fundamental shift in thinking.

00:10:01: How so?

00:10:02: We have to stop seeing buildings as disposable assets and start viewing them as material banks.

00:10:07: Material banks, meaning.

00:10:09: Meaning we need to track every component.

00:10:11: digitally from its creation through its life in the building so it can potentially be recovered and reused when the building reaches end of life.

00:10:20: And that needs specific digital tools, presumably.

00:10:23: Yes,

00:10:24: things like digital product passports are becoming essential to manage those material life cycles effectively.

00:10:29: It shifts the focus from just efficiency in building to efficiency across the entire life cycle.

00:10:35: Got

00:10:35: it.

00:10:36: And then the other big driver.

00:10:37: the AI race.

00:10:38: Oh,

00:10:39: absolutely.

00:10:39: Tracy Young and Josie pointed out how the sheer demand for AI computing power is creating entirely new types of construction challenges, especially with data centers.

00:10:50: The battleground is shifting.

00:10:51: Brastically.

00:10:52: It used to be about square footage, but now the critical metric is watts per rack.

00:10:56: How much power can you cram in?

00:10:58: and crucially how do you cool it?

00:10:59: Because traditional air cooling can't keep up.

00:11:01: Not with the heat generated by high density AI processing.

00:11:05: So we're seeing rapid innovation needed in building envelopes and MEP systems.

00:11:09: Things like liquid cooling, even immersion cooling technologies are becoming mainstream.

00:11:14: Which means builders and engineers need a whole new set of specialized skills constantly changing too.

00:11:19: Exactly.

00:11:20: It's a major test of agility in design and manufacturing.

00:11:23: And looking even further out, Alexei Duboff pointed towards this ultimate convergence.

00:11:28: Integrating CAD, Extended Reality, XR.

00:11:32: robotics.

00:11:32: Yeah, and to these continuous digital to physical workflows.

00:11:36: The research suggests the next frontier might involve things like retrofit automation, or even real time fabrication on site.

00:11:44: So the software isn't just planning the work, it's directly controlling the physical construction, whether that's people or robots.

00:11:51: That's the direction it seems to be heading.

00:11:53: Very interesting stuff.

00:11:54: Hashtag tag tag tag outro.

00:11:56: Okay, so let's quickly recap this deep dive.

00:11:58: We've seen the rise of the practical AI co-pilot speeding up routine back office work.

00:12:04: We've established the clear economic case for BIM and Fordy planning, especially when you pair them smartly with lean methods.

00:12:11: Right,

00:12:11: and maybe most critically, getting past those adoption barriers means focusing on culture and process first, not just throwing more tech at the problem.

00:12:18: Which leads us perfectly to our final thought for you to ponder.

00:12:22: It comes from an observation by LD Humphreys about the illusion of precision and construction.

00:12:27: Okay.

00:12:27: Well, our modern systems, even the smartest AI, give us beautifully clean numbers, right?

00:12:33: Like drywall installation, sixty-two percent complete.

00:12:36: Very precise.

00:12:37: Yes, precise.

00:12:38: But

00:12:38: that clean number often completely ignores what Humphreys called the hundred invisible factors that actually determine performance on site.

00:12:46: like the lift being broken down, trades getting stacked up in one area, so crucial sequencing error, unexpected material shortages, all the messy reality.

00:12:55: So the digital reports look like we have control, but they're often just measuring the output, what got done while missing the critical inputs that led to success or failure.

00:13:03: Exactly.

00:13:04: They're often historical snapshots.

00:13:06: So the challenge for you is this.

00:13:08: As you adopt and accelerate your digital systems, how do you move beyond just measuring what happened to proactively managing the inputs that drive success or failure?

00:13:17: How do you teach your systems and crucially your teams to capture and understand the why behind the numbers, the context?

00:13:24: Precisely.

00:13:25: Capturing those invisible factors.

00:13:27: That's the real difference between just monitoring progress and achieving true digital management.

00:13:34: That's the thing to think

00:13:34: about.

00:13:35: Definitely food for thought.

00:13:36: If you enjoyed this deep dive, new episodes drop every two weeks.

00:13:40: Also check out our other editions on smart manufacturing and digital power tools.

00:13:44: Thank you for diving deep with us.

00:13:45: Thanks everyone.

00:13:46: And be sure hit that subscribe button to keep ahead of the curve.