AI Is Transforming Construction Scheduling and Project Controls

Source: Matthew Thibault

Kok told Construction Dive that a combination of often-cited issues — including labor scarcity, stagnant productivity and supply chain hurdles — were driving the demand for streamlined services on large capital projects.

“If you combine all those factors together, like my simple thesis is that I think we’re going to need just better, smarter ways to do capital projects,” Kok said.

The offering can analyze BIM models and Oracle P6 schedules to generate millions of possible execution paths, while identifying the most efficient options, according to the announcement. By treating labor, equipment, materials, space and sequence as adjustable variables, builders can then stress-test alternatives, understand the ripple effects of a given decision and make choices between cost, speed and risk, the firms said.

Mark Pitcher, a partner in McKinsey’s Capital Excellence practice, told Construction Dive that a McKinsey team will build models in ALICE’s software to perform schedule analyses.

“We use those models to perform deep schedule analytics to identify opportunities to improve the project plan,” Pitcher said. “In parallel, we put in place the operating model and build the capabilities of our client teams that will sustain this novel approach over the long term.”

René Morkos, ALICE Technologies’ CEO and founder, said the tech is quickly shifting the scheduling approach on large builds.

“Generative scheduling is reshaping how complex capital projects are planned and delivered,” said René Morkos, ALICE Technologies’ CEO and founder. “Together with McKinsey, we are helping organizations integrate this capability into broader transformation efforts and drive sustained impact at enterprise scale.”

Clients have used the product to get results and deliver streamlined products, the firms say. San Antonio-based Zachry Construction, a client of Menlo Park, California-based ALICE Technologies, used the tech to analyze schedules and reduced a highway project’s timeline by 28 days.

A McKinsey data center client, meanwhile, reduced the construction schedule on one project by 40%, per the announcement.

“We really use it across sectors at this point, and also internationally,” Kok said.

Pairing up on the tech front has been trending in construction. Contractors searching for ways to speed up their building processes and cut back on waste have entered partnerships with contech firms in search of solutions.

Beyond partnerships, companies have been combining as well, particularly in the contech space. Industry stalwart Trimble signed an agreement to acquire Document Crunch on April 2, while Autodesk finalized its acquisition of Rhumbix on March 31.