
TRANSFORMATION BEYOND DIGITAL
The future of construction has already begun: how AI, Lean Construction and other innovations are expected to impact the market
The construction industry is undergoing a transformation that is readjusting practices and processes that have historically been resistant to change. The advancement of new technologies seeks to solve recurring problems in this area, such as delays, waste and lack of integration between stages. Although the sector registered a growth of 4,1% in 2024, the highlight is how these innovations are being incorporated to improve the efficiency and quality of projects. Projections for 2025 indicate a market in adaptation, where advanced methodologies will be decisive in overcoming challenges. To understand the impacts of these changes and the obstacles that still exist, Visão Softplan interviewed Cristiano Gregorius, Executive Director of Softplan Construction Industry. He assesses the ongoing transformations and points out the paths for the sector in the coming years. Practical applications and tangible results The Lean Construction philosophy is one of the approaches that benefits from emerging technologies, bringing significant improvements to project execution. When combined with AI, it allows advances such as the use of sensors and computer vision to track the use of materials in real time. The integration of these practices with BIM is another example of how these innovations are evolving the sector, offering greater efficiency and control in construction processes. “Lean focuses on eliminating waste and improving workflow efficiency. When we combine this with artificial intelligence, we can predict bottlenecks before they happen, offer preventive measures and, most importantly, reduce deadlines, one of the biggest pain points in the construction sector,” says Gregorius. He highlights that delays generate financial losses, such as fines and compensation, in addition to impacting companies’ commissions. With the Lean methodology, construction companies meet established deadlines and, in many cases, deliver ahead of schedule, ensuring efficiency and customer satisfaction. Gregorius also explains that data centralization, combined with AI, facilitates integration between areas such as planning, procurement and execution. “Data-based decisions are essential to improve decision-making processes. Analyzing numbers allows for more assertive purchases, identifies regions with greater demand for new projects and accelerates sales. This reduces problems such as lack of inputs and avoids delays that often compromise projects,” he says. He highlights that the Lean methodology, when associated with the use of data, transforms construction management to provide a clearer and more accurate view of processes. To illustrate, we brought a real example that highlights the positive impact of technological innovations in the construction sector. It is the collaboration between two major partners and clients of Softplan Construction Industry, Pedra Branca Empreendimentos and Optima Estrutural. The work in question is Primavera Office, located in one of the country's main innovation hubs. This project highlighted how technology and integrated planning can transform outcomes. Technology has played an essential role in ensuring accuracy and efficiency, as well as reducing costs and optimizing deadlines. As a result, the building was completed in just six months, an extremely competitive deadline for the industry. One of the differences was the agile and dynamic planning: monthly or bimonthly updates allowed monitoring progress and making adjustments in real time. Each update stage was carried out quickly, taking just one hour, which demonstrates the efficiency provided by the Lean methodology and integrated tools. “The Lean methodology focuses on eliminating waste and improving the efficiency of workflows. When we combine this with artificial intelligence, we can predict bottlenecks before they happen, offer preventive solutions and, most importantly, reduce deadlines, one of the biggest pain points in the construction sector,” explains Gregorius. He highlights that delays can generate financial losses, such as fines and compensation. With the Lean methodology, construction companies are able to meet established deadlines and, in many cases, anticipate delivery, ensuring efficiency and customer satisfaction. The combination of Lean Construction and AI also increases the predictability of results. In complex projects, automated analysis of historical and real-time data avoids rework and optimizes resources. Cristiano comments that, in many projects, this has represented substantial savings. “The combination of these technologies allows companies to have more control over each stage of the process, which translates into faster and more economical deliveries,” he reinforces. These advances demonstrate that digital transformation in civil construction is not limited to planning, but encompasses the entire production chain. “We are seeing how integrated solutions can create an environment of greater collaboration, where areas communicate better and processes flow with fewer interruptions,” concludes the Executive Director. A new scenario of innovation Historically, the construction industry has faced challenges in productivity, cost control and meeting deadlines. Gregorius comments that technologies such as BIM (Building Information Modeling), although existing since the 1980s, still have low adoption in Brazil. “The complexity of implementation and cultural resistance in companies made it difficult to widespread use of BIM in the country,” he points out. In recent years, public and private initiatives have sought to reverse this situation. In January 2024, the Brazilian government published Decree No. 11.888, which institutes the new BIM-BR Strategy, with the aim of promoting the use of BIM in public works. According to the decree, technology is a bet to reduce costs, shorten execution times and promote sustainability in civil construction. This incentive to use is already being reflected at the tip. A survey by Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), released in March 2024, revealed that the use of BIM in Brazil increased from 9,2% in 2018 to 20,6% in 2024, reflecting a trend towards modernization in the sector. Cristiano highlights that, when integrated with artificial intelligence tools, BIM can generate even more significant benefits. “With AI, we can identify flaws in planning and suggest corrections that optimize resources and deadlines,” he explains. An example of this potential was the Londrina Digital Airport Project, led by Infraero in 2018, where BIM was used to develop more accurate projects, bringing improvements to the management of public works. The main point is that innovation is revolutionizing the construction sector, bringing more efficiency, control and quality to projects. And the use of specialized software for this segment is at the heart of this transformation. With solutions that integrate planning, budgeting, execution and financial management, it is possible to monitor each stage of a project in real time. This reduces errors, increases productivity and promotes more assertive decision-making. “It is proven that all companies that use this software are gaining more operational efficiency and competitiveness in the market”, concludes Cristiano. Sienge. Challenges and barriers to overcome Even with technological advances, the construction sector still faces obstacles. Cristiano notes that the adoption of innovations such as artificial intelligence and BIM requires more than investment in tools: it is necessary to overcome cultural, technical and financial barriers for the sector to reach its full potential. “There is an unfounded fear that AI will replace professionals. In reality, it is a support tool, a co-pilot, which increases productivity and improves results”, he states. Still, it is important to emphasize that the final decision is always in the hands of those responsible for the works. Technology supports good practices, but does not have the final say, preserving the strategic and essential role of professionals in the process. Cultural resistance is still the biggest obstacle Resistance to change continues to be one of the main challenges in the sector. Cristiano explains that many professionals fear that advanced technologies, such as AI, could replace their roles, which makes it difficult to adopt new practices. “This perception is wrong. AI does not eliminate professionals, but makes them more productive, allowing them to focus on strategic and creative activities,” he comments. In addition to the fear of replacement, there is the difficulty in abandoning traditional processes. Many companies still operate with inefficient methods, resisting implementing digital solutions. Gregorius points out that this resistance is particularly evident in small and medium-sized companies, which represent a significant portion of the sector. “We need to demystify the use of these technologies, showing their benefits and how they can be accessible,” he reinforces. The structural challenge of technical training Another obstacle is the lack of technical training to operate advanced tools. Cristiano explains that the sector lacks professionals with practical knowledge in technologies such as BIM, AI and Lean Construction. “Even with available tools, many do not know how to use them or integrate them into work processes. This limits the impact of innovations and reduces the benefits that could be achieved,” he highlights. Pioneering companies have invested in training to mitigate this gap. Partnerships with educational institutions and internal training programs have been alternatives for preparing professionals. The Executive believes that the democratization of knowledge is essential to increase the sector’s competitiveness. “Training is an investment that returns in efficiency, quality and cost reduction”, he notes. The burden of initial investment Implementing advanced technologies also requires financial planning. Gregorius explains that the initial cost can be a barrier, especially for smaller companies. “Many organizations still see these technologies as an expense and not an investment. This mentality needs to change.” It is worth noting that there are already specific solutions for smaller businesses, with a more affordable acquisition cost compared to more robust ERPs. GO Gestor Obras and eCustos, which offer efficiency and accessibility to small businesses. In addition to the cost of solutions, there is the need to adapt processes and systems, which demands time and resources and can discourage companies seeking immediate results. Cristiano warns, however, that inertia can cost dearly in the long run. “Those who do not adopt these innovations will quickly lose competitiveness. We are seeing this happen in real time”, he emphasizes. A realistic outlook for 2025 The construction industry is facing a moment of transition. The advancement of technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence and computer vision promise to change the way projects are designed and executed, but the pace of this transformation will depend on the sector’s ability to integrate innovation into the day-to-day operations of companies. Cristiano Gregorius emphasizes that the future involves solutions that bring automation and greater precision to processes. “Industrialization and computer vision will allow unprecedented levels of automation and safety on construction sites. Imagine robots equipped with sensors, mapping projects in real time and generating instant reports. This future is closer than it seems, but it requires planning and commitment”, he assesses. For him, the Group Softplan has sought to lead this movement, developing technologies that help construction companies deal with recurring problems, such as delays, high costs and lack of integration between areas. “We are working to enable companies to make faster and more informed decisions, using tools that integrate planning, execution and management of works. This goes far beyond digitizing processes; it is about adding intelligence to the work”, he explains. Among the Group’s initiatives, he highlights the use of artificial intelligence to integrate tools such as BIM and Lean Construction. These solutions are being developed to facilitate the planning and execution of projects, reducing waste and optimizing deadlines. The Executive Director comments that, in a scenario where data is constantly updated, managers can replan activities quickly, minimizing impacts on the schedule and budget. “When all areas of a work are connected by reliable, real-time data, the gain in efficiency and predictability is unquestionable”, he states. Although the outlook is promising, the path requires more than technology: it is necessary to train people and align long-term strategies. He points out that, unlike immediate solutions, the positive impact of innovation comes from a well-structured process. “Those who see technology as a business partner and not as a cost are better prepared to lead the sector in the coming years,” he comments. The work developed by the Group Softplan reinforces the importance of looking at the present with practical solutions, while planning for the future. Cristiano believes that this approach is what will allow the sector to move forward. “We are seeing the impact that these technologies are already having in Brazil. Our commitment is to help companies adopt these changes in a practical and accessible way, transforming challenges into real opportunities for growth”, he concludes.