Why Using AI to Schedule Can Save Construction Companies on Hidden Costs

By MOHAMED YOUSUF

In the construction industry, it’s hidden costs that sink projects. And one of the most damaging hidden costs is crew misallocations.

If the framing and plumbing rough-in are done and the electricians aren’t ready to do their work, projects will experience costly delays. Having crews show up before it’s time for their task –  plumbers showing up before the framers are done, for example – also creates unnecessary costs.

To reduce crew misallocations, today’s construction companies can tap into artificial intelligence to help with crew scheduling. AI-driven platforms empower a dynamic and streamlined approach to scheduling that allows companies to anticipate and proactively address scheduling issues.

How AI is transforming construction scheduling

Construction scheduling requires a lot more than simply shuffling bodies around. Moving a project forward requires having the right people in the right place at the right time. Effective scheduling ensures the people with the necessary skills, certifications, and support are onsite when the work they’ve been hired to do is ready to be done. It is a process that requires managing data as well as people.

Managing data is AI’s strong suit. It processes, sorts and analyzes data at super-human speeds, without overlooking or misreading key pieces of information. It can easily handle the type of large-scale projects with complex needs that give human scheduling managers headaches.

AI-powered scheduling platforms also reduce the likelihood of scheduling-related delays by giving companies the power to address gaps before they arise. AI identifies patterns in data that can point to problems on the horizon, a process known as predictive analytics. For example, if a particular subcontractor has a history of taking 30 percent longer to complete a task, AI can identify the pattern, assess how it might impact current projects the subcontractor has been contracted for and suggest ways to adjust scheduling to prevent the delay from having a domino effect.

The more data sources scheduling platforms tap into, the more predictive they can be with their workforce analysis and guidance. Weather patterns, employee productivity, supplier reliability and absenteeism can all be assessed to identify patterns that could require rescheduling.

Because of its processing speed, AI also gives construction companies the power to address scheduling issues in real time. If supply issues cause a last-minute cancellation of key equipment, AI-powered platforms can immediately determine the best way to shift crews to minimize the impact. Furthermore, AI can be used to automate communication regarding scheduling changes, so crew members can be updated and redirected as soon as managers approve them.

How AI-powered scheduling eliminates hidden costs

AI-driven platforms make it much easier for construction companies to optimize crew output by adjusting schedules dynamically to eliminate overcrowding and idle time. But those gains are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to eliminating hidden costs.

Compliance with safety and labor laws is a critical component of construction projects that can bring about unnecessary costs if not properly managed. AI helps in this area in several ways, including ensuring that workers don’t exceed maximum shift lengths or skip required breaks. AI scheduling can make sure workers assigned to a shift have the skills and certifications required to comply with relevant regulations. Leveraging AI to ensure requirements and best practices are met guards against fines, injuries and subpar work.

 

By optimizing crews, AI platforms reduce the risk of projects suffering due to fatigue or unexpected absences. This can include building crews that double up on key skills, so that a last-minute call-out doesn’t make it impossible for a scheduled crew to complete its tasks. AI-powered scheduling optimization can also help companies to reduce injuries and errors that lead to cost overruns by simply ensuring workers are fresh.

AI-driven scheduling platforms also have the potential to increase employee satisfaction, which can reduce the hidden costs associated with replacing workers who leave mid-project. They streamline scheduling on the employee side by offering 24/7 automated scheduling support. Many even offer AI-powered chatbots that can respond to natural-language questions and directions. And by giving employees a frictionless system for reporting problems, the platforms also reduce the number of scheduling surprises managers must deal with.

Today’s construction companies are facing a number of workforce challenges triggered by widespread retirement, changing immigration regulations and a growing digital skills gap, to name just a few. Leveraging AI in workforce scheduling can help companies to overcome those challenges, giving them the insights and efficiency needed to complete projects with fewer surprises, fewer delays, and less hidden costs.

Mohamed Yousuf is the CEO and founder of Smart Workforce AI.