How To Find Productivity Bottlenecks Ripe For AI Implementation

It’s a question every professional builder needs to ask themselves as they embark on a journey of implementing this new technology into their business.

The problem is, the concept of AI is a buzzword in the industry at the moment.

New AI tools are cropping up every other day and many construction software products are coming out with “AI” features.

It’s easy to get shiny object syndrome and try to implement every tool or tactic in your building company simply because you are scared of falling behind your competition.

But here’s the thing…

If you try to implement too many AI solutions at once, you’ll run into diminishing returns where the increase in productivity is offset by distractions and overwhelm.

The truth is, many of the so-called AI solutions available for builders today are not quite ready for out-of-the-box implementation. And even the ones that are ready to go may not be the perfect fit for your business.

So when you are looking to implement AI in your building company, it’s critical to identify where it can be most effective at improving productivity and efficiency.

Target Areas For AI Implementation

The process of identifying these AI opportunities is much like how you would go about systemising your building company.

Imagine you are walking through the day-to-day operations, observing every corner of the workplace from project sites to the back office. Each segment of your operations, from customer interactions to project management and marketing, carries potential for enhancement through AI. The challenge and opportunity lie in identifying which processes are ripe for this technological integration.

To start, consider the repetitive, high-volume tasks that consume considerable time and resources but are essential for your operations. This might include project management, where AI can streamline operations, reduce human error, and optimise resource allocation.

Marketing is another area ready for AI integration. With AI's ability to analyse vast amounts of data, your marketing team can gain insights into customer behaviours, preferences, and trends, allowing for more targeted and effective marketing strategies. AI can automate campaign management, maximise content creation, and even automatically respond to prospects.

Throughout this process, it's essential to engage with various stakeholders within the company—project managers, frontline employees, and even customers—to gather insights and perspectives on where AI could be most beneficial. This collaborative approach not only ensures a thorough understanding of potential AI impacts across the board but also fosters a culture of innovation and acceptance towards AI adoption.

Real-Life Examples from APB Members

Recently, one of APB’s members from Sydney, Australia shared their experience with identifying AI opportunities in our members-only Facebook Group.

This builder started using AI to draft job ads and descriptions. After seeing considerable time-saving, they extended AI's use to developing policies and procedures. This innovation not only saved hours of manual work but also ensured consistency and accuracy across company documents.

Another builder discovered that the takeoff software they had been using for 22 years had recently introduced AI features to assist with measuring project plans. While in its infancy, this new feature stands to dramatically improve the efficiency of their takeoff process. 

By methodically identifying these opportunities, your building company can plan AI integrations that are tailored to your specific operational needs and strategic goals to drive growth, efficiency, and competitive advantage.

Click on the link below to get access to The Ultimate AI Toolkit for Builders, and discover how to unlock the full potential of your business.