FDE Case Study: Construction Workflow Automation

CHALLENGE

The client already had ERP, Candy, Primavera, PlanSwift, Power BI, and an internal AI agent in place. The technology was there, but many important workflows still depended on manual work and disconnected data. Teams spent time moving information between systems, checking documents, comparing data, and preparing reports. These gaps affected cost visibility, manpower productivity, project schedules, procurement, and site operations.

The construction workflow automation challenge was therefore not about adding another tool. The company needed to understand where automation could create real value and how AI could work with the systems already supporting its construction operations.

The roadmap turned separate automation opportunities into a structured AI transformation direction. Rather than replacing existing platforms, the proposed model places a shared AI layer over the systems already used by the business.

ENGAGEMENT STAGE

A CHI Software Forward Deployed Engineer worked directly with the client’s operational context rather than starting with a predefined AI solution.

The FDE reviewed day-to-day workflows, existing systems, manual handoffs, integration gaps, and data readiness. Each opportunity was assessed against business value, feasibility, and the information available to support automation.

This turned a broad construction process automation need into a clear set of priorities. The engagement connected operational problems with practical automation opportunities and established what should be implemented first.

TRANSFORMATION

The assessment identified 17 AI agents across Planning, Cost Control, QHSE, Procurement, Estimation, and Contracts.

The opportunities were organized into three implementation phases based on value, complexity, dependencies, and data readiness. Early priorities focused on workflows where automation could deliver value quickly while creating reusable foundations for later agents.

The resulting workflow automation in construction roadmap gave the client a clear path from fragmented manual processes to phased AI adoption while keeping its existing operational systems in place.

SERVICES PROVIDED

• Forward Deployed Engineering
• Construction Workflow Automation
• Digital Operations Assessment
• AI and Automation Strategy
• Workflow and Data Analysis
• AI Agent Design
• Solution Architecture

DEVELOPMENT TEAM

• 1 Forward Deployed Engineer

ESTIMATION WORKFLOW AUTOMATION

Estimation involved large volumes of information and repetitive manual work. BOQ items had to be mapped against thousands of ERP codes, while quantity takeoff and rate setting required information from multiple sources. This created a construction workflow automation strategy grounded in real operational bottlenecks and provided a structured foundation for broader AI transformation.

PROCUREMENT PROCESS AUTOMATION

Procurement teams handled trade packages, RFQs, subcontractor information, compliance checks, and deadlines across several manual workflows. Automation opportunities focused on reducing document preparation, improving quote comparison, tracking deadlines, and making approval workflows more consistent.

PLANNING AND PROJECT CONTROLS

Project teams needed better visibility into manpower productivity, schedule progress, and cost deviations. The assessment identified opportunities to automate progress reporting, analyze Primavera schedules, and surface potential delays earlier, giving management more time to respond before they affect project delivery.

CONSTRUCTION DATA AND WORKFLOW INTEGRATION

The client already had the main business systems in place. The bigger issue was how information moved between them. The process automation for construction roadmap focused on connecting existing data and workflows rather than replacing core platforms. Better integration could reduce manual handoffs and give AI agents reliable access to operational information.

CONTRACT REVIEW

Contract teams repeatedly reviewed similar clauses, risks, and negotiation positions manually. AI-assisted review was identified as an opportunity to structure findings and surface relevant information faster while keeping final contractual decisions with responsible users.

QHSE AND SITE OPERATIONS

Safety, site access, inspections, and resource monitoring created another group of operational workflows with automation potential. The roadmap included opportunities around WIR processing, inspection workflows, site monitoring, and operational alerts to improve visibility without removing human oversight.

STRATEGY

The FDE started with the way the business actually operated. Existing workflows, manual processes, systems, integrations, and data were assessed together before automation priorities were defined. Opportunities were then ranked by business value, feasibility, dependencies, and data readiness. This kept the construction workflow automation strategy tied to real operational problems rather than a predefined set of AI features.

DEVELOPMENT PHASES

The FDE engagement resulted in a board-ready assessment, prioritized AI opportunities, and a phased implementation roadmap. The figures below are projected outcomes of the proposed automation and require validation during implementation.

270 HOURS POTENTIALLY RELEASED PER PROJECT EACH MONTH

The proposed automation portfolio could release approximately 270 hours per active project each month by reducing manual preparation and consolidation work. That is equivalent to 1.7 full-time roles in document preparation, freeing capacity for higher-value project management work.

125 HOURS POTENTIALLY RELEASED IN PHASE 1

The first implementation phase alone could release approximately 125 hours per project each month, creating an opportunity to demonstrate value early in the AI transformation and provide evidence to approve Phase 2 without another assessment.

49% PROJECTED REDUCTION IN PREPARATION TIME

Across the assessed workflows, preparation work is projected to decrease from approximately 550 hours to 280 hours, a 49% reduction.

17 AI AGENTS PRIORITIZED ACROSS THREE PHASES

The completed FDE assessment resulted in 17 prioritized AI agents across three implementation phases, giving the client a structured path for scaling construction process automation.

Complex construction workflow automation starts with understanding how work is actually done, where information gets stuck, and which processes are worth automating.

CHI Software provides FDE as a service for companies that need to move from operational problems to practical technical solutions. A Forward Deployed Engineer keeps the business and technical context connected from discovery and solution design into implementation.

Unlike traditional consulting models that hand off after discovery, the same technical ownership can continue into engineering and delivery. Organizations can also hire forward-deployed engineers for complex initiatives that require continuous ownership from problem definition to implementation.

What We Specialize In

• Forward Deployed Engineering
• Construction Workflow Automation
• Construction Process Automation
• AI Agent Design
• Workflow Automation
• Data and System Integration
• AI Solution Architecture
• Implementation Planning

Industries We Support

• Construction Companies
• General Contractors
• Engineering Companies
• Infrastructure Providers
• Project Management Organizations
• Real Estate Developers