Achieving 90% Faster Construction Planning Through Automated Techniques

By Antonia Egli and Radhika Deorukhkar (Dublin City University) and edited by Omar Doukari, Boubacar Seck, and David Greenwood

What is the Main Challenge in Digital Construction Project Planning?

Imagine managing the construction of a major infrastructure project, a new rail line, a large university campus, or a complex industrial facility. The crucial planning phase often involves a painstaking, manual process: linking the intricate 3D digital model of the building to the minute-by-minute project schedule. This is known as 4D Building Information Modelling (BIM) scheduling. While powerful, the task of manually connecting every structural element from a single column to an entire floor slab to its corresponding construction task can take days and is highly susceptible to human error.

The RINNO study on “The efficient generation of 4D BIM construction schedules: A case study of the Nanterre 2 CESI project in France” has tackled this common construction bottleneck head-on. The authors have developed a groundbreaking, rule-based methodology that drastically improves the speed and quality of project schedules. This new approach promises to free up construction managers from tedious input and allow them to focus on strategic project optimisation.

What New Methodology Did the Research Explore for 4D Scheduling?

This study was initiated to solve the systemic inefficiencies inherent in conventional 4D scheduling. In the traditional process, project managers must manually associate thousands of elements in a 3D model with specific activities in the project timeline. This repetitive, manual linking process is what leads to scheduling delays and inconsistencies.

The researchers proposed and tested a novel semi-automated methodology. This approach moves away from manual linking by integrating predefined scheduling logic and custom parameters directly into the 3D model elements before the linking process begins. They rigorously tested this concept using a large, real-world development: the Nanterre 2 CESI project in France. The results demonstrated that shifting from repetitive manual linkage to this intelligent, rule-based system leads to enormous gains in both time efficiency and schedule accuracy, confirming its potential to fundamentally reshape construction management practices.

What are the Key Findings on 4D Scheduling Efficiency?

The core findings offer immediate, measurable, and highly compelling benefits for the construction sector, illustrating where the true value of digital tools lies.

• Time Reduction of Over 90%: The most striking result was the dramatic reduction in the time required for the 4D linking process. In the Nanterre 2 case study, the manual task of linking all 3D model elements to the project schedule typically required two to three full working days. Using the new semi-automated, rule-based method, this essential step was completed in just three to four hours.
• Superior Schedule Quality and Consistency: The study showed that because the scheduling logic is embedded directly into the 3D model’s parameters, the resulting schedule is far more consistent and less susceptible to human errors. This consistency ensures the 4D model accurately reflects the intended construction sequence, resulting in a higher quality schedule that is easier to trust and follow on site.
• The Power of Predefined Rules: The vast increase in efficiency comes from replacing thousands of manual clicks with intelligent, predefined rules applied consistently across the model. Instead of manually linking each individual structural component, the system automatically assigns tasks and dependencies to model elements based on their shared custom properties, streamlining the flow of information.
• A Semi-Automated Path to Efficiency: The research confirms that full, complex automation is not necessarily required to achieve major gains. The powerful solution lies in a semi-automated approach, where careful setup and definition of custom rules upfront (the ‘thinking work’) yields exponential time savings later during the routine scheduling phase (the ‘doing work’).

How Does This Research Impact the Real World and Construction Policy?

These findings translate directly into significant practical advantages for the global construction industry. The research confirms that the efficient generation of 4D models is key to delivering modern projects faster and with fewer risks.

For Industry Professionals, a faster and more reliable 4D model means project bids can be developed more quickly and accurately, improving overall competitiveness in the tender process. Furthermore, higher quality schedules reduce on-site risks, lead to fewer unexpected delays, and allow for better management of critical resources, ultimately leading to smoother, more predictable project delivery.

The new methodology also strongly supports the push for digital transformation across the European construction sector. BIM, and specifically efficient 4D scheduling, is a necessary tool for meeting increasingly stringent policy goals. By standardising data flows between the design model and the construction plan, the approach ensures that decisions related to resource management and site logistics are based on consistent, error-free information. This consistency is vital in enabling better management of construction and demolition waste, which in turn supports the industry’s wider commitment to greener and more sustainable building practices. This French case study provides a robust blueprint for European and global implementation.

What is the Main Takeaway for the Future of Construction Planning?

This research proves that the future of construction planning lies not just in adopting digital tools, but in making them smarter. By implementing intelligent, rule-based systems, project teams can successfully shift their focus from tedious data entry to strategic decision-making and risk management. This efficient generation of 4D BIM schedules marks a significant and necessary step towards fully digital, consistent, and ultimately more productive construction management practices worldwide.

Reference:

Doukari, O., Seck, B. and Greenwood, D. (2022) ‘The efficient generation of 4D BIM construction schedules: A case study of the NANTERRE 2 CESI project in France’, Frontiers in Built Environment, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2022.998309