Utilizing AI Strategies to Reduce Project Risk

Artificial intelligence (AI) is proving itself to be a powerful tool for managing project risk. It can provide valuable insights into potential risk areas, allowing businesses to make informed decisions when it comes to planning and executing projects. In this blog, we’ll explore how experts in MEP are utilizing AI strategies to reduce project risk.

Evaluating a New AEC Risk

While the AEC industry’s reliance on traditional ways of working may inhibit efficiency and technological innovation, it is rooted in the shared experiences among project owners, designers, and stakeholders. Although stepping out of this comfort zone may appear daunting at first, it often presents the opportunity to explore better solutions that can drastically reduce project risk. This shift represents a financial and an emotional risk – one that most stakeholders are probably more than willing to take in exchange for greater harmony of all parties involved, as well as elevated performance. Ultimately, this is a small price to pay for more secure and efficient projects.

The Use of AI-Based MEP Design Software

In today’s fast-paced world, AI-based computational MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) design software can play a key role in dramatically reducing the risks involved in designing and constructing of building projects. Traditional manual design processes often result in errors, omissions, and other costly surprises, leading to delays and dissatisfied customers.

By utilizing AI strategies to evaluate multiple potential MEP layouts, MEP engineers can create a more comprehensive action plan that reduces risk and saves money. Potential changes in the field are minimized, as are the actual costs of constructing the MEP distribution system.

Human errors in the design are also minimized, because the AI algorithms are performing the computational analysis in both routing and sizing of pipes, wires, conduits, and ductwork. AI systems also look for common human errors in the layout process by identifying missing components, missing controls, and mismatches between equipment and the available utility provisions.   Because all disciplines are linked through common databases, cross-discipline coordination issues are virtually eliminated.

Furthermore, AI-based solutions ensure performance optimization by reducing system loads, friction rates, and voltage drops, resulting in long-term operational and maintenance savings. In a nutshell, by using AI-based computational MEP design software, it is possible to generate maximum return on investment, while meeting the diverse needs of any project.

Automating the Process of Identifying Potential System Conflicts

AI technology has revolutionized the construction industry by enabling MEP engineers to identify and preemptively address system conflicts in the design phase of a project in a fraction of the time it would take using conventional engineering methods. AI-based software can rapidly complete formerly laborious processes that were required for designing systems as well as identifying potential system conflicts, allowing for an expedited construction process with fewer RFIs, fewer change orders, less re-work, and the resultant schedule delays.

This is vitally important, as addressing these issues during the design phase not only reduces potential risks, but also avoids delays that would otherwise occur onsite. While modern engineering and construction practices have delivered incredible advances in the built environment over time, leveraging AI through advanced software presents far more efficient processes with unprecedented results, accelerating the entire industry toward a more sustainable future.

Advantages of Using AI Strategies for Reducing Project Risks

Help Reduce Project Risk

AI has emerged as a major advancement of the MEP industry, giving designers and contractors the ability to design and manage construction projects with greater accuracy and efficiency. With AI, designers and engineers can leverage data-driven insights to reduce overall construction costs and identify risks to make more informed decisions before they become costly issues downstream.

Improve Project Planning

MEP project managers are now harnessing the full potential of this technology by taking advantage of its diverse capabilities to facilitate highly detailed project planning. Tools such as 3D design software, coupled with AI-based design algorithms, allow engineers to have an accurate view of a building’s infrastructure from any angle and make changes in real-time before the first shovel goes in the ground.

Other features, such as virtual reality tours, provide owners and users with an immersive experience that allows them to virtually immerse themselves in the layout of a project prior to beginning construction. Additionally, powerful data analysis programs better equip MEP design teams to avoid potential problems within a project design before they occur.

All-in-all, using AI assisted MEP technology can greatly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of any project planning process, making it an indispensable asset for any owner or stakeholder who is looking for maximum value for their money.

Improve Communication Between Project Stakeholders

Having effective communication between project stakeholders can be the difference between success and failure for any project. Good communication prevents misunderstandings, promotes positive collaboration, and strengthens the team dynamic.  There are many ways to improve communication among those involved in a project.

One way is to create a single, shared space where all updates and information about the project can be found. Doing so eliminates any confusion surrounding who knows what and when.  It also provides each team member with a sense of ownership and a heightened sense of responsibility, as everyone has access to the same information and is accountable for their contribution to the entire design.  

By using AI-assisted design tools, engineers and designers are relieved of the drudgery of routing and sizing of systems, allowing for more of their valuable time to be spent communicating with the owners, architects, and contractors, ensuring a better coordinated and collaborative design process. Ultimately, good communication helps keep projects running smoothly while encouraging collaboration that leads to successful outcomes.  AI-based design systems facilitate the communication process by allowing the human engineers to focus on what is most important for any project – the users’ experience in the facility or space.

How AI Systems Help Reduce Costs

Many projects have inherent risks that, if not managed correctly, can cause enormous costs in terms of time, money, and manpower. Fortunately, advancements in MEP design automation leveraging AI technology offer insights and approaches to managing risks, reducing the chances of costly project related errors.

AI-driven technology not only finds the most cost efficient routing and sizing for building service systems, it also provides a vastly superior outcome in terms of error free sizing of those systems. All of this is done with minimal human intervention, which allows project teams to concentrate on more pressing issues and less on the tedious task of designing the wires, pipes, and ducts that make up a successful MEP design. The AI systems are tested and proven to perform these critical calculations with greater accuracy and precision than is possible with conventional methods.

In the not too distant future, the ability for these AI systems to anticipate and avoided clashes between disparate systems will be especially beneficial for reducing project risk – ensuring a clash free design every time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, partnering with Schnackel Engineers’ AI-powered MEP design capabilities to optimize system layouts can benefit projects significantly. This proprietary AI technology allows our engineers to exponentially improve MEP design and construction efficiency by providing the single most efficient and cost-effective solution possible.

The value this brings to any project is undeniable. From time savings, in pre-construction planning, to increased accuracy in installation, these technological advancements are proving invaluable for clients.

Schnackel Engineers is pioneering with their AI for MEP™ technology and developing a better process for designing seamless mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. We look forward to bringing our clients greater possibilities for their projects.