As the demand for infrastructure continues to grow, so do industry challenges, such as inefficient data management, increased project risks, and workforce shortages. To overcome these challenges and deliver successful and profitable projects, heavy civil contractors need to adopt more efficient digital construction management processes.

However, it is not easy to convince a highly competitive industry with historically low profit margins to change their ways. Unless, of course, they have proof that there is a better way to manage projects that will not add to their already large workload.

Discover how Sam Buttweiler from Ames Construction, Tim Paul from MnDOT, and Andy Kaiyala from WSB successfully implemented and leveraged 3D/4D digital construction management on the TH 169 Roadway Expansion Project.

Bentley Systems: Walk us through this project and tell us more about some of the project goals and foundational principles of construction manager/general contractor (CM/GC) delivery.

Sam Buttweiler, Project Manager, Ames Construction Inc.

Sam Buttweiler: Because we utilized the CM/GC delivery process, we spent two years together before construction even began. By working collaboratively with a 3D design model, we were able to drive down costs and focus on the constructability of the project. It provided an opportunity to better coordinate with MnDOT and the designer, WSB, to vet different operations and alternative designs. We also leveraged the 3D design model in conversations with the owner as we discussed project risk. In this CM/GC delivery method, we were able to have honest conversations and truly understand potential risk and how to best control, manage, and mitigate it.

Bentley Systems: With your collaborative GM/GC contract delivery method, you’re working towards a fixed project schedule and price. How did utilizing a 3D design model during the preconstruction planning phase make this possible, and what value did you get that you wouldn’t have experienced with traditional 2D PDF plans?

Tim Paul: Our project development consisted of two years of closed-door meetings every couple of weeks to talk about what we developed and what was ahead of us. WSB displayed the 3D digital plan, and we utilized it to review any issues, any alternatives we were considering, and identify clash detections. This process really helped get everyone on the same page. And that’s hard to do with a 2D plan because people visualize that differently. I see big benefits of using digital plans during the project development, such as:

Tim Paul, Contract Administration and Surveys Project Manager, MnDOT

• Operational efficiencies
• Traffic patterns
• Temporary construction needs
• Risk assessment

Buttweiler: Knowing that we haven’t leveraged this technology to the fullest capability yet, the biggest benefits and opportunities we’ve seen from the 3D model have come during the pre-construction phase of a project, such as constructability review.

By viewing the 3D model during meetings, we were able to streamline conversations, saving time—which also led to saving money. Instead of compiling multiple PDFs and emailing them to the team, we met and reviewed the 3D model and vetted constructability options and answered questions on the spot.

A picture is worth a thousand words. A good picture is worth 10,000 words. Having that model is a huge benefit and a really good representation of what you’re building.

The 3D model also enabled us to gain buy-in quicker. We used it in town hall meetings, as well as other meetings with the public and various stakeholders. Even though we still had our typical 2D plans, we often found ourselves presenting the 3D plan for people to visualize the project, better and faster.

Andy Kaiyala, Vice President of Construction Technology and Controls, WSB

Andy Kaiyala: I haven’t heard anyone in the industry say that they wouldn’t want a 3D representation of what they’re going to build, before they build it, including existing utilities and other conditions. What I do hear are these questions:

• How do we get a 3D model representation of the project?
• What’s the contractual mechanism for the project?

On this project, there was a lot of value derived from using a 3D reference point for everyone to look at during the meeting. Oftentimes, teams review multiple disparate sources of data and build a 3D picture in their mind. The problem is that the person across the table from you probably isn’t building the same 3D picture as you are, resulting in a lot of misalignments.

This 3D environment ultimately provides the best possible for project transparency, as well as the right kind of decision-making where you have all the information you need, right in front of you.

Bentley Systems: What are some additional areas of opportunity where you think leveraging this 3D model environment could be beneficial for you?

Kaiyala: If we want to get value out of this, then we have to do the hard work of replacing what’s being done today by digitizing it and making it available for all stakeholders. SYNCHRO lets us do this. We can digitize our current processes, move it into the cloud, and connect it to the model, creating a connected data environment where everyone—engineers, owners, and contractors—can easily get the information that they need to do their job.

Paul: There’s a priority—schedule, cost, quality, safety. These are the four main elements that I look for in construction. Digital construction can make all of this better. We need to add digital technology to our list of priorities.

Buttweiler: As a contractor, we want to increase construction efficiency, quality, and safety. We can use the model to improve our safety planning, and better manage budgets and quantities. The visual model enables us to better understand the plan, which then enables better execution, more accurate and reliable schedules, and quicker buy-in from all stakeholders.

Click here to watch the full webinar and discover more about how you can unlock the value of 3D/4D digital construction management with SYNCHRO.