Constructive (Seth Kalkman)

Bisrat is the CEO & Co-Founder of TruBuild. Trubuild is an AI-powered construction software designed to simplify your construction projects. Check it out at trubuild.io

We discussed Bisrat's background and what lead to the creation of TruBuild. We also discussed lessons the TruBuild Team has learned in trying to create a simple solution to complex problems as well as how they utilize AI features.

Omar Zhan started a Monthly AEC Podcast Digest called, "Voice of Construction" to help AEC professionals find the best podcast episodes to help them learn about the topics they are interested in. I was able to sit down with Omar to talk about his time at Katerra, Rivian and his journey through the AEC industry. Omar is now working on a project called Surfaice which is an AI tool for repeatable project management. We also got to touch on marketing in the AEC industry, clean energy, and even how the pyramids were built. Thanks for checking it out and please let me know what you thought!

Duane Stanley is the Preconstruction Executive for Sunrise Erectors, Inc. Duane and I spoke about innovation and partnerships in the construction industry.

Ridhima is a studying for a Masters in Building Construction and Facilities Management at Georgia Institute of Technology. She is also a VDC intern.

Kyle Nitchen is a Senior Project Manager with Layton Construction. Utilizing lean thinking and principles, he has successfully executed over $450M+ in complex construction projects, unlocking additional benefits through Lean Construction, Last Planner System, Early Design Involvement, A3 Thinking, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Target Value Design, and Visual Management. Check him out on Linkedin and visit his website at: https://kylenitchen.com/

I talk with Ben Stocker from Skender about his role as Senior Construction Technologist. Watch the video version of this episode on Spotify.

Sam Morgan is the founder of Illuminate Coaching + Consulting.

Tyler Campbell joins Seth to discuss frustrations with bad technology in the construction industry and he introduces FieldProof, a platform aimed at connecting tech companies with industry professionals for valuable feedback. The discussion explores the role of AI and robotics in enhancing construction processes, the importance of innovative technologies, and the impact of these advancements on craftsmanship. Tyler emphasizes the need for collaboration, humility, and openness to new ideas among owners and developers, while also addressing the evolving landscape of AI and its implications for the future of work in construction.

JOIN UP AT: https://www.fieldproof.io/tester

In this episode, Paul Hedgepath, the Director of Virtual Construction at MJ Harris, discusses the rapid evolution of technology in the construction industry, emphasizing the importance of balancing traditional methods with innovative solutions. He shares insights on the integration of AI and drones, the significance of identifying real problems in construction, and the necessity of fostering a positive work culture. Paul also reflects on his journey from architecture to construction tech and highlights the critical role of people in tech-driven environments.Takeaways:

• The construction industry is experiencing a rapid evolution in technology.
• Balancing tradition and innovation is crucial for success.
• Identifying real problems is key to effective tech solutions.
• 360-degree photography enhances transparency on job sites.
• Drones provide valuable insights and updates for projects.
• AI can significantly improve safety and efficiency in construction.
• Tech adoption is essential for company growth and risk management.
• Hiring for adaptability and willingness to learn is vital.
• Creating a positive work culture enhances collaboration and productivity.
• Technology should be viewed as a tool for improvement, not competition

Ken Gray is co-Founder and Chief Performance Officer at Dig Robotics. Ken started in the 80's with Caterpillar and worked his way up to becoming a Director of Innovation. After failing to retire (as he puts it) he has entered the start-up world to try and improve the lives of heavy equipment operators and improve efficiency of dirt moving operations.

Elijah is co-founder of Roger an alternative Project Management software focused on offering custom solutions to capitalize on construction project data. Topics Covered: construction data, positives of contractor specialization, scope gap elimination, optimizing estimating efforts, current strengths of AI for AEC. Hope you enjoy!

Eric Anderton is an author (Construction Genius), Podcaster (Construction Genius), and a leadership coach in the Construction Industry. We talked about his background and things that he has learned in his decades of experience.

Josh Levy joins constructive to discuss the impact of tariffs on the construction industry and the importance of understanding contract risks. He introduces Document Crunch, a tool designed to help construction professionals navigate these challenges by automating the extraction of critical contract provisions. The discussion also covers the role of AI in enhancing efficiency and decision-making in construction, emphasizing the need for collaboration between technology and human expertise. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the mission to create a more informed and successful construction industry.

Takeaways

• The construction industry is facing significant risks due to tariffs.
• Understanding contract risks is crucial for project success.
• Document Crunch automates the extraction of critical contract provisions.
• AI can enhance efficiency but should not replace human expertise.
• A healthy construction industry benefits all stakeholders.
• Knowledge empowers construction professionals to navigate challenges.
• The importance of auditing contracts during volatile times.
• Technology can help manage construction projects more effectively.
• Building strong relationships among stakeholders is essential.
• The vision is to reduce litigation and improve project outcomes.

In this episode I talk with Michael Wong and Collin Creach from Outbuild.

TOPICS COVERED: Why Outbuild choose to focus on construction scheduling, How to get buy-in on a construction schedule, What differentiates Outbuild from the competition, the importance of investing in the front end on planning/scheduling, building construction projects digitally before building them physically, how to build a simple solution to a complex problem in a powerful way, and the future / what's to come in our industry/Outbuild.

SHOUT OUTS/MENTIONS: Elon Musk, Albert Einstein, Adam Hoots, Construction Brothers, Get Construction Talking, Primavera, Procore

Kristopher Lengieza is Vice President @ Procore Technologies | Construction Technology Evangelist, Partnerships Leader, Digital Transformation Facilitator. Kris shared the latest on his new focus at Procore and his origin story. We talked about Procore's vision to improve the lives of everyone in construction and why this means providing lots of integrations and free continuing education. Kris shared his perspective on what Constructive means to him and how its baked into his own philosophy and Procore's as well. We also discussed AI, how COVID positively influenced the AEC industry, Kris's vision of the future of our industry, and the data journey in construction. Hope you enjoy as much as I did!

In this episode of Constructive, guest Todd Zabelle digs into the systemic challenges undermining the construction industry, as detailed in his book, Built to Fail: Why Construction Projects Take So Long, Cost Too Much, and How to Fix It. He examines how traditional project delivery methods contribute to inefficiencies and explores innovative solutions grounded in operations science and data analytics. Todd emphasizes the critical shift from focusing solely on personnel to optimizing processes, advocating for the integration of advanced technologies like AI and IoT to enhance project outcomes. He also discusses the drawbacks of conventional scheduling practices, critiques the prevalent lowest-bidder mentality, and addresses the pervasive resistance to change that hampers industry progress. This episode offers a comprehensive analysis of the factors leading to project delays and cost overruns, providing actionable insights for professionals seeking to drive meaningful reform in construction project management.

Trevor Owen is the Reality Capture Manager at Rogers Obrien. Trevor shared his background including time at a smaller electrical contractor and Hilti - leading up to his current role at RO. Trevor's experiences implementing BIM and VDC workflows, including the "birthing pains" he spoke of, all gave him great insight to see the value reality capture can add. Trevor talked about how he saw that BIM and VDC needed to be connected to the real world more tangibly. Trevor saw peoples engagement with technology swing like a pendulum when they could see the value fist hand. We spoke as well about how AI, Robotics, and reality capture will actually help us spend less time in front of screens at the end of the day.

Aakash is the CEO/Founder of Inspect Mind an AI company creating AI enhanced reporting for the construction industry. Aakash shared some of his background. He discussed the future of construction reporting and how AI will shape construction projects. Aakash explained that his client first / solution based approach goes deeper than just words in a pitch. He has the unconventional willingness to give away most of his money and he allows his faith to shaped his business decisions. Honesty it was a breath of fresh air to listen to. Hope you enjoy!

Ryan Rademann discusses the transition from paper to digital processes in the construction industry, emphasizing the importance of digitization in preventing litigation and improving efficiency. He explores the role of generative AI in design, the current state of the construction industry, and the significance of empathy in business. Rademann shares insights from his journey at Wipfli, highlighting the need for a thoughtful approach to adopting new technologies and the importance of fostering a positive workplace culture.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:-The construction industry is still heavily reliant on paper, but there's a strong push towards digitization.-Digitization can prevent litigation by eliminating conflicts and delays.-Digital twins can provide valuable insights before and during construction projects.-Generative AI is transforming design processes and improving project outcomes. -The construction industry is optimistic about the future of AI and technology. -Empathy and kindness in business lead to better long-term outcomes. -The order of digitization should be based on immediate needs and potential impact. -AI should be integrated thoughtfully, focusing on solving real problems.-The construction workforce is eager to adopt new technologies that enhance safety and efficiency. -A culture of experimentation and learning is essential for adapting to technological changes.

Javier Glatt is Co-Founder & CEO of cmBuilder.io. We spoke about his background and what lead him to CmBuilder. Javier covered which problems CmBuilder is attempting to solve for the construction industry and how it helps customers identify what doesn't work in terms of site logistics and why that's important. He also gives some travel advice if your interested in visiting Canada at the very end. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed getting to know Javier.

Ofek is co-founder of Rethink. Rethink is a Task-Completion Terminal for your Construction Project that utilizes AI to make email less of a distraction from Designing/Engineering/Building Construction projects. We spoke about Ofek's background inside the construction industry and the problems he found that he is trying to address at Rethink.