How Steel Estimators Handle Complex Projects Without Burning Out: 5 Workflow Strategies That Cut Takeoff Time by 80%

Leading steel fabrication companies across the US however have discovered a different approach using AI construction estimating software. They're completing takeoffs in hours instead of days while maintaining 95-99% accuracy rates.

Here's how they're leveraging AI for construction estimating - and how you can transform your own steel takeoff workflows.

Strategy 1: Automate Steel Detection Instead of Manual Counting

The Old Way: Spending hours manually counting beams, columns, and braces and identifying connection types across hundreds of drawing pages.

The New Way: AI takeoff software that identifies structural steel elements in seconds, not hours.

Smart estimators have stopped taking off steel by hand. Instead, they're using AI construction estimator workflows that automatically detect, categorize, and count structural steel pieces across entire project sets.

This AI estimating software approach reduces typical takeoff time by 50-80% on beam-heavy projects. One estimator recently completed a 6,000-ton project takeoff that would have taken three days manually - finished in just six hours with automated detection.

The accuracy improvements are just as impressive. Manual counting introduces human error, especially on large projects. Automated detection maintains consistent accuracy rates above 95% even on complex drawings.

Strategy 2: Capture Beam Attributes Automatically, Not Manually

The Old Way: Manually recording every beam size, shape, stud count, and camber specification from drawing labels.

The New Way: AI construction estimating software that pulls shape, size, stud counts, and camber data directly from drawings.

This is where takeoff software workflows get really powerful. Instead of transcribing hundreds of beam specifications by hand, AI estimating software captures this information systematically, and depending on the tool you use, the software can provide great visibility and functionality to easily review these detections across entire project sets.

Teams using AI construction estimator tools for automated attribute capture report 60-75% time savings on specification-heavy projects. The manual transcription work that used to take a full day now happens in minutes.

This strategy also eliminates transcription errors that can cost thousands in material miscalculations. When beam attributes are captured automatically, your takeoffs become both faster and more reliable.

Strategy 3: Generate Bills of Materials Instantly, Not Over Hours

The Old Way: Manually creating BOMs by compiling and organizing all counted materials into spreadsheets.

The New Way: AI takeoff software with one-click BOM generation that automatically organizes all detected materials into professional project documentation.

Manual BOMs create administrative work. It adds no analytical value but consumes hours of estimator time. Progressive teams using AI for construction estimating have eliminated this bottleneck entirely.

Automated BOMs generation turns a 2-3 hour manual process into a 30-second task. This time savings accumulates quickly across multiple bids, effectively increasing your bidding capacity without adding staff.

The consistency benefits are significant too. Manual BOMs vary in format and completeness between estimators. Automated generation ensures every project gets the same professional, comprehensive documentation.

Advanced AI takeoff software also maintains complete traceability between your BOM and the original drawings. The software creates direct links and references to detected elements, prints Element IDs on PDF exports, and includes these IDs in CSV files. This traceability means you can instantly track any BOM item back to its exact location on the drawings, dramatically reducing the chance of errors or missing material during project execution.

Strategy 4: Analyze Connection Details Automatically, Not Manually

The Old Way: Manually reviewing every framing condition, moment connection, cope, and hole detail across project drawings.

The New Way: AI construction estimating software with automated connection analysis that identifies and catalogs framing conditions, moments, copes, and holes systematically.

Connection analysis is where experienced estimators add the most value, but it's also where they spend too much time on routine takeoff work.

Advanced takeoff software now handles the routine connection identification automatically, freeing estimators to focus on complex engineering decisions and pricing strategies.

Teams report 40-60% time savings on connection-heavy projects when routine analysis is automated. This lets senior estimators focus on the specialized work that truly requires their expertise.

Strategy 5: Export to Your Tools Seamlessly, Not Through Manual Data Entry

The Old Way: Manually re-entering takeoff data into Tekla, Strumis, EJE, or Excel for further project development.

The New Way: Direct export capabilities that move project data into your existing tools without manual re-entry.

Data re-entry is where projects bog down and errors multiply. Every manual transfer introduces opportunities for mistakes and consumes valuable estimator time.

Seamless export capabilities eliminate 3-5 hours of manual data entry per project. More importantly, they maintain data integrity throughout your entire project workflow.

Whether you're working in Tekla, Strumis, or other fabrication software, direct export means your takeoff work flows smoothly into downstream processes without bottlenecks.

Advanced Strategy: Handle Large Document Sets Like a Pro

Complex steel projects often involve 200-500 pages of structural drawings. Manual processing means days of work before you even begin the real estimation analysis.

Leading estimators using AI construction estimator tools now process even massive document sets in hours, not days. They upload entire project sets and let AI estimating software handle the routine detection work across all drawings simultaneously.

This approach transforms how you handle large industrial projects, multi-story buildings, and complex fabrication work. Instead of dreading big projects, you can bid on them confidently knowing your workflows can handle the volume.

The Results Speak for Themselves

Steel fabrication companies implementing these workflow strategies are seeing dramatic improvements:

King Steel reduced their estimation time by 50% - transforming a four-day manual process into a two-day automated workflow
Motion Steel freed up 40-50% of their estimators' daily time for higher-value analysis work
Metals Fabrication gained a 40% bidding capacity increase without hiring additional estimators

The pattern is clear: AI for construction estimating handles routine work, estimators focus on expertise, and companies win more profitable projects.

Why This Matters Now

The steel fabrication industry is facing unprecedented challenges. Labor shortages, tight project timelines, and increasing competition mean you can't afford inefficient takeoff processes.

Companies that adopt AI construction estimating software gain competitive advantages that compound over time. They bid on more projects, win more contracts, and grow faster than competitors stuck with manual processes.

Meanwhile, estimators working with optimized workflows report higher job satisfaction and less burnout. When technology handles the tedious work, professionals can focus on the analytical and strategic work they actually enjoy.

The Bottom Line

Complex steel projects don't have to mean 60-hour work weeks and stressed-out estimators. The solution is building workflows that automate routine detection and analysis while preserving human expertise for high-value decisions.

Teams implementing these strategies typically see 50-80% reductions in takeoff time within the first month. The learning curve is minimal, but the productivity gains are immediate and substantial.

The steel industry is evolving rapidly. Fabrication companies that embrace workflow automation will dominate their markets. Those that don't will struggle to compete on speed, accuracy, and bidding capacity.

Your estimators deserve workflows that amplify their expertise instead of burying them in manual counting work.

Ready to Transform Your Steel Takeoff Process?

These strategies represent how leading steel fabrication companies are staying competitive in 2025. The question isn't whether workflow automation works - the results prove it does.

The question is how quickly you can implement these improvements in your own takeoff processes.

Start by identifying which manual processes consume the most estimator time in your current workflow. That's where automation will deliver the biggest immediate impact.

Remember: your competitors are already implementing these strategies. The companies that move first will capture the biggest competitive advantages.

Which of these workflow bottlenecks is costing your team the most time right now? How many more bids could you complete with 50-80% faster takeoffs?

The Great Capacity Paradox: Why Steel Fabricators and Erectors Are Leaving Money on the Table

You know this feeling. Another great project opportunity lands on your desk, but you're already three bids behind. Your estimators are buried in manual work, and there's no way to squeeze in another project without sacrificing quality or missing deadlines.

Matt Chance, Estimating Manager at NAFCO described what I'm hearing across the industry: "If we were doing it the old way, we wouldn't be able to put out the number of estimates we're putting out right now."

Here's what I'm seeing: some fabricators and erectors are thriving while others struggle with capacity constraints. The difference isn't talent, market access, or pricing strategy. It's how they've solved estimating capacity problem with AI construction estimating software.

The winners are using AI takeoff software to automate the manual work, and the results are impressive. Jay Livesey at MotionSteel shared: "We went from doing roughly 30 to 40 estimates a month to hitting 70 monthly."

This isn't just about being busy. There's a fundamental shift happening in the industry, and the companies that get it are winning big!

The Hidden Problem Nobody's Talking About

Here's what I keep hearing in conversations with fabricators and erectors: everyone's focused on market demand, pricing strategies, or workforce challenges. But there's this massive elephant in the room that nobody wants to address.

Your estimators, these skilled professionals, are spending 70% of their time on manual data extraction instead of the strategic thinking that wins jobs. That's a problem an AI construction estimator could solve.

Matt Chance explained their situation: "We usually have four estimators. The reason we're so busy now is at the end of the year, we had one retire and two resign. And then we hired Justin, who is doing well, but we needed to find ways to maintain our output."

This is what I'm seeing. Even with great people like Justin, traditional workflows create artificial bottlenecks that limit what's possible. That's where AI for construction estimating becomes a game-changer.

What the Winners Are Doing Differently

The fabricators and erectors who are dominating their markets aren't working harder - they're working smarter. They've figured out how to break free from the capacity trap that's holding everyone else back by implementing AI estimating software.

Take Justin Airhart at SSE. He told me: "Using LIFT has been an enjoyable experience. It cuts my time by 50 to 75 percent when doing an estimate. I had a project where LIFT cut six to eight hours off of my day off of an estimate."

That's the kind of transformation that gets me excited! These aren't small improvements - these are complete game-changers.

Dawn Hargraves at Maccabee put it perfectly: "LIFT has dramatically improved both my speed and efficiency. I'm easily 50% faster now, and on my biggest job - a 600-ton project - it saved me 75% of my time. The design is so straightforward that I don't need help guides or training - it just makes sense and lets me focus on quality checking while the software does the hard work."

That's the kind of transformation that gets me excited! These aren't small improvements - these are complete game-changers.

The Real Impact Beyond Time Savings

Innovation is a team game, and when I see teams transforming their workflows with AI takeoff software, the ripple effects are powerful.

Alan Henry at ASPE South shared something that stuck with me: "LIFT accelerates our entire workflow - we quickly get beam counts, column counts, and everything we need, then move to Bluebeam for areas and perimeters. While waiting for fabricator quantities, we can already start the next project or write proposals."

When your estimators aren't buried in manual counting, they can focus on the strategic details that differentiate your bids. That's where real competitive advantage comes from with AI for construction estimating.

Justin Sage, VP of Sales at Alamo Steel explained it well: "LIFT gives us a much faster estimation time, letting us spend more time on other important parts of our projects. The time savings have completely changed how we do steel takeoffs - we simply prefer LIFT over our old methods."

The Technology Adoption Divide

Construction is ripe for innovation. But here's what's fascinating - the gap between early adopters and everyone else is getting wider by the day. The fabricators and erectors who embrace AI estimating software are pulling ahead fast.

Justin Sage at Alamo Steel highlighted this perfectly: "The connection detection works great with our current workflow. We've successfully adapted our standard connection system to work with LIFT, keeping our established processes while gaining major automation benefits."

That's the key - successful adoption isn't about throwing out everything you know. It's about intelligently integrating AI for construction estimating with your existing processes.

That's not incremental improvement. That's transformation.

If you're not using AI construction estimating software like this, you're getting left behind.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Let me share some numbers that demonstrate the real impact from fabricators and erectors using takeoff software:

Jay Livesay at Motion Steel: "We went from doing roughly 30 to 40 estimates a month to hitting 70 monthly. With LIFT, we freed up 40 to 50% of our guys' time on a daily basis."

Troy Ernst at King Steel: "It'd be awful not to have LIFT. We're relying on it now." Their team halved their estimation time, transforming a 4-day manual process into a 2-day automated one.

Jordan at Steelworks: "LIFT has more than tripled our throughput and completely transformed how we work. The software handles all the tedious manual work on large jobs with thousands of beams, allowing our team to focus on the critical aspects while maintaining accuracy."

These aren't theoretical improvements. These are real fabricators and erectors, winning real contracts, generating real revenue growth with AI for construction estimating!

The Future Belongs to the Bold

My hope is that more fabricators and erectors will take the entrepreneurial leap and embrace what's possible with AI construction estimator technology. The construction industry is at a crossroads, and the companies that move fast are going to dominate.

Mason Carragher at MSE captured this: "It's the first software that is actually geared towards estimators in a meaningful way. LIFT has 99% accuracy in beam take-offs."

This is about more than just takeoff software. It's about positioning your company for the next decade of growth and success.

What's Your Next Move?

Here's the reality: your competitors are already making this transition to AI estimating software. The question isn't whether AI will transform steel fabrication and erection - it's whether you'll be leading the change or playing catch-up.

The fabricators and erectors who are thriving right now didn't wait for perfect conditions. They saw an opportunity to transform their workflows with AI construction estimating software and they went for it.

This is what's possible when you combine human expertise with intelligent automation.

That's the future of our industry. That's what's possible when you combine human expertise with intelligent AI for construction estimating.

Fabricators and erectors consistently tell me the same thing: they wish they had started using AI takeoff software sooner. Don't let that be your story.

The capacity paradox doesn't have to define your business. The tools exist right now to break free from those artificial constraints and unlock your team's full potential with the right AI construction estimator.

This is huge. This is the moment. And the companies that act now are going to be the ones writing the success stories we'll all be talking about next year.

Want to see how AI construction estimating software can transform your takeoff process?

Book a demo and let us show you with your own drawings how this works. Because seeing is believing, and the results speak for themselves.

5 Signs Your Steel Estimating Process Is Ready for an AI Transformation

If you're experiencing these five situations, you're not behind - you're positioned to transform your business and lead your market.

1. You're Drowning in Bid Opportunities But Can't Keep Up

I recently talked to a fabricator who had to turn down three major projects because they couldn't respond fast enough. That's not failure - that's proof the market wants what you offer.

You're ready for transformation if:

Your team races against bid deadlines
Competitors submit bids while you're still counting steel
You choose between speed and accuracy (you can have both with AI takeoff software)
Simple projects consume time you could spend on strategic work
You know you could handle more projects if the process was faster

The companies winning right now aren't the biggest or oldest. They're the ones who rejected manual processes and embraced AI for construction estimating.

When work is competitive, the fastest and most accurate estimators win. AI makes that possible for fabricators willing to use it.

2. The Talent Wars Are Hurting Your Growth

The estimator shortage isn't just a hiring problem - it's a signal that the industry needs to work smarter. Smart companies are empowering their teams with better tools to handle growing workloads.

You're positioned for a breakthrough if:

Finding qualified estimators feels impossible
Training new hires takes too long and slows current projects
Your best people keep getting poached by competitors
Experienced estimators retire faster than you can replace them
You know your team could do great work with better AI estimating software

Here's the reality: Employment of estimators is projected to decline 4 percent from 2023 to 2033 as automation improves productivity, but this creates opportunity, not displacement. Companies using AI are making their existing teams significantly more productive, allowing them to handle more projects and win more work.

This isn't about replacing people. It's about giving talented people powerful tools. When you free estimators from manual counting with an AI construction estimator, they become strategic assets who build relationships and win work. The shortage isn't just about numbers; it's about finding people who can leverage these new capabilities.

3. Market Pressure Creates Perfect Timing for Innovation

Economic uncertainty isn't challenging everyone equally. It's creating the perfect opportunity for innovators to pull ahead. There's never been a better time to gain competitive advantage.

You're ready to lead if you're seeing:

Construction spending growth slowing as market challenges continue to impact the pace of growth
Intense competition for available projects
Profit margins shrinking as bids get tighter to win work
Material costs and labor shortages putting pressure on margins
General contractors becoming more selective about subcontractor partners

Here's what winners understand: As construction markets face challenges, companies with AI-powered processes gain market share. When everyone struggles with manual processes, being the one company that responds in minutes instead of days gives you competitive advantage. This is how AI boosts profits in steel production - by winning more bids with faster, more accurate responses.

4. Manual Processes Are Wasting Your Team's Talent

Every hour your talented team spends on manual takeoffs is an hour they could spend winning more work, building client relationships, or optimizing bids. The transformation potential is significant.

You're sitting on opportunity if:

Estimators work nights and weekends (their talent is wasted)
Simple projects take longer than they should
Your team has to choose between speed and precision, adding contingencies instead of counting details
Your team feels frustrated with counting and data entry
Drawing-to-bid time keeps getting longer

Understanding how to reduce time spent on manual takeoffs is critical: When you automate manual work with takeoff software, estimators become strategic assets. They focus on what humans do best - analyzing opportunities, building relationships, making smart decisions.

Manual processes don't scale. Your talented team plus AI? That's scalable potential.

5. Quality Pressure Shows You're Ready for Better Systems

When you're forced to trade precision for speed, it's not failure. It's your business telling you it's ready for systems that deliver both.

You're primed for transformation if:

You find material count discrepancies after projects start
Clients push back on contingencies and allowances you had to include for speed
Rework becomes more common
Quick decisions get made without proper analysis
Your reputation for precision feels under pressure

This is good news. Companies that solve accuracy under pressure become the go-to partners for general contractors. When everyone else makes similar compromises, being the one team that delivers consistent, reliable estimates makes you indispensable.

The Future Belongs to Companies That Act

These challenges affect your competitors too. But winners see opportunity where others see problems.

The companies dominating right now are:

Embracing AI strategically. Tools that analyze drawings and count materials automatically aren't just helpful, they're transformational. Our customers report results like 50% faster estimation time, 75% time savings on individual projects, and handling 40% more projects.
Thinking bigger. They're combining skilled teams with advanced technology to amplify their capabilities.
Moving fast. While competitors debate whether to change, they're already implementing and gaining market share.
Building competitive advantages. These aren't just efficiency improvements, they're competitive moats that will matter for years.

This Is Your Moment

I've seen this transformation happen many times. Companies struggling with manual processes six months ago are now industry leaders. The difference? They decided to act.

The steel industry is being revolutionized by AI right now. Not someday. Right now.

Your estimators are talented professionals who can work exponentially faster with the right AI takeoff software. When you equip them with AI-powered tools, they become strategic assets who win more work and build stronger relationships.

While competitors stick with manual processes, you can be the company that responds to opportunities in minutes instead of days. You can be the team trusted for consistent, accurate estimates. You can be the fabricator that wins more work with less stress.

The industry is ready for innovation, and steel fabrication is just getting started. The possibilities are significant.

The choice isn't whether the industry will change. It's whether you'll lead that change or watch from the sidelines.

Ready to transform your estimating process and lead your market?

See how other steel fabricators use to win more work with better accuracy. Book a demo and discover how LIFT can turn your team into a competitive force.

Why the Steel Industry Is Turning to AI: The Complete Guide to Construction Automation

You're Running a Steel Fabrication Business in the Most Challenging Market in Years

Every morning, you face the same reality: your estimating team is stretched thin, qualified estimators are harder to find than ever, and every bid opportunity has become precious. With construction down 13% and $1 trillion in private funding sitting on the sidelines, the pressure to win work has never been higher.

Your team is talented, but they're spending days on manual takeoffs that should take hours. Meanwhile, competitors are responding faster to opportunities, and you're wondering how they're doing it.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. But some steel fabricators have discovered a way to not just survive – but thrive.

The Problems Keeping You Up at Night

Your Estimating Team Is Under Unprecedented Pressure

Cost estimator employment is projected to decline 4% from 2023 to 2033, with 18,000 annual openings primarily from retirements. Industry experts report that "estimators are becoming harder to find during the labor shortage." Your existing team is handling more work than ever, and finding qualified replacements is nearly impossible.

Market Conditions Are Working Against You

Private Funding Paralysis: U.S. private equity managers have more than $1 trillion in uninvested capital sitting on the sidelines due to political uncertainty and interest rate volatility.

Limited Opportunities: The majority of current work is publicly funded, but there's not enough public work for all the competition. Multiple companies are chasing the same limited projects, driving down margins.

Uncertain Recovery: Construction starts have slowed dramatically, and recovery depends on interest rates falling and private confidence returning – with no clear timeline.

Your Daily Operational Challenges

Time-Consuming Manual Takeoffs: Manual counting steel stretches hours into days. Troy Ernst, Chief Estimator at King Steel, describes their old process: "We had a 4-day manual process that was eating up our capacity."

Accuracy Under Pressure: Missing steel on estimates can be costly. The pressure to deliver accurate estimates quickly puts companies at risk of errors, especially with increasingly complex technical documentation.

There Is a Solution: How Leading Companies Are Solving This

You don't have to face these challenges alone. Steel fabricators across North America are discovering that AI-powered automation can transform their operations, and the approach is more accessible than most realize.

The breakthrough came when machine learning and AI technology advanced enough to accurately identify structural elements from 2D engineering drawings. This isn't theoretical – over $25 billion has been bid through AI-powered systems with 95-99% accuracy in steel detection.

How This Technology Works:

Automatically detects and categorizes structural steel pieces from drawings
Processes large complex projects with hundreds of pages in minutes
Generates Bills of Materials
Provides a slick user interface for the estimator to review results in the same way a Junior estimator may complete a take-off
Integrates with existing tools like Tekla, EJE, and Excel
Captures detailed specifications including shape, size, and connection details
Analyzes complex framing conditions and relationships between structural relationships

Your Strategic Approach: 4 Phases to Transformation

Phase 1: Validate the Technology

Start by seeing the technology work on your actual projects. The best way to understand the impact is to have your own drawings analyzed, not generic demonstrations.

Phase 2: Strategic Implementation

Begin with simple projects that offer the best learning opportunities. This builds team confidence while proving the technology's value on real work.

Phase 3: Team Development

Choose a champion or two and invest in developing your team's capabilities with the new technology. The goal is to amplify their expertise, not replace it.

Phase 4: Scale for Impact

Expand usage strategically across your estimating team. Most companies find they're comfortably using AI-powered tools on the majority of their projects within months of starting.

Success: What Victory Looks Like

King Steel Inc. - 50% Time Reduction

Troy Ernst, Chief Estimator: "It'd be awful not to have LIFT. We're relying on it now."

4-day manual process → 2-day automated process
50% reduction in bid takeoff time
Increased capacity without hiring

James Jones, Senior Estimator: "The beam counts are spectacular!"

Read the full King Steel case study →

Motion Steel - 40-50% Daily Capacity Freed

Jay Livesay, General Manager: "With LIFT, we freed up 40 to 50% of our guys time on a daily basis."

More time for strategic bid evaluation
Excellent ongoing support

See more Motion Steel results →

SSE Steel Fabrication - 50-75% Time Reduction

Justin Airhart, Chief Operating Officer: "Using LIFT has been an enjoyable experience. It cuts my time by 50 to 75 percent when doing an estimate. It's been awesome to work with it."

Results:

50-75% time reduction on estimates
"I had a project where LIFT cut six to eight hours off of my day off of an estimate"
More time available for detailed analysis and client relationships

See how SSE achieved dramatic time savings →

FabArc Steel - Days to Minutes

Nathan Whitley, Chief Estimator: "What used to take two days to do, it does it within a few minutes. I've been amazed at every step of the process."

Learn about FabArc Steel's transformation →

Industry-Wide Validation

Mason Carragher, MSE Estimator: "It's the first software that is actually geared towards estimators in a meaningful way."

View all customer success stories →

The Strategic Advantages of AI Adoption

Solving the Workforce Challenge

The decline in estimator employment isn't just a hiring problem – it's a strategic challenge that forward-thinking companies are turning into a competitive advantage. When you can't find skilled estimators to hire, the solution becomes maximizing the productivity of the team you already have.

AI automation allows your existing estimators to handle significantly more work without the stress and errors that come from being overloaded. Instead of competing with other companies for scarce estimator talent, you're building capabilities that don't depend on the external labor market. This becomes especially valuable as experienced estimators retire, because the technology helps preserve and standardize their institutional knowledge rather than losing it.

The result? Your bidding capacity becomes independent of workforce availability, giving you a sustained competitive edge.

Thriving in Market Uncertainty

In volatile markets, consistency becomes your greatest asset. AI-powered processes deliver standardized results regardless of external conditions, whether you're dealing with political uncertainty, interest rate fluctuations, or shifting project types.

This consistency translates into practical advantages: faster response times to opportunities as they arise, the ability to handle workload fluctuations without scrambling to hire during busy periods, and reduced dependence on finding skilled estimators when you need to scale quickly.

While competitors struggle with capacity constraints and workforce limitations, your operations remain stable and responsive.

Maximizing Your Resources

The mathematics of AI adoption are compelling. When your estimators can complete more estimates in less time, you maintain competitive response times even when facing resource constraints. Senior estimators spend less time on manual counting and more time on strategic decision-making, client relationships, and complex problem-solving.

This resource optimization positions you perfectly for market recovery. When opportunities increase and private funding returns, you'll have established efficient processes ready to scale, rather than scrambling to build capacity when demand surges.

Understanding the Financial Impact

Immediate Operational Benefits

The productivity gains are measurable from day one. Takeoffs that previously required hours are completed in minutes, with remarkable accuracy rates that often exceed manual accuracy under time pressure. Your existing team's productivity increases dramatically without adding headcount, and streamlined workflows reduce the costly errors that can derail project profitability.

These aren't theoretical benefits – they're the documented results that companies like King Steel, Motion Steel, and MSE have achieved in real-world operations.

Long-Term Financial Returns

The financial advantages compound over time. You're maximizing productivity without the costs and delays of hiring additional estimators. There's no need to compete for scarce talent with higher salaries and benefits packages. Your increased bidding capacity creates more revenue opportunities, while faster, more accurate estimates strengthen client relationships and improve win rates.

Perhaps most importantly, you're building sustainable competitive advantages that don't depend on external factors like labor availability or market conditions. These capabilities become more valuable during downturns and position you to capture disproportionate value when markets recover.

Common Concerns Addressed

"Will AI Replace Our Estimators?" No. AI gives estimators superpowers, handling tedious tasks so they focus on strategic evaluation, client relationships, and complex problem-solving.

"What's the Cost?" ROI is typically realized within months through maximized team productivity, increased bidding capacity, and fewer costly errors.

"Can We Trust AI Accuracy?" Leading systems achieve 95-99% accuracy, often exceeding human accuracy under time pressure.

The Stakes: What Happens If You Don't Act

The steel industry is at a crossroads. With estimator employment declining 4% through 2033 and qualified estimators becoming harder to find, companies embracing AI now are establishing crucial advantages in bidding capacity, accuracy rates, and operational efficiency.

Companies that act now will:

Establish competitive advantages
Build efficient operations
Maximize existing estimating teams
Position as industry leaders

Those that wait risk being left behind by competitors who can bid faster, more accurately, and handle more opportunities.

Your Next Step: Take Action Now

The transformation is happening now. Companies across North America are using AI to complete billions in bids, saving thousands of hours while competitors still count steel by hand.

As Troy Ernst from King Steel puts it: "It'd be awful not to have LIFT. We're relying on it now."

With documented estimator workforce challenges, market uncertainty, and the need for operational excellence, the companies that act now will establish competitive advantages that define the next decade.

Ready to transform your estimating process?

Book a demo and let us show you with your own blueprints exactly how LIFT works. We'll analyze one of your project drawings and provide a free project to see if it's a good fit for your company.

Don't let your competitors get ahead while you're still counting steel by hand.

Attesting to Al in Steel Construction

NOTE: This article was originally published in AISC's September Edition of Modern Steel Construction.

STEEL FABRICATORS can empathize with the hurdle put in front of Justin Airhart last year.

Airhart, the COO of AISC-member fabricator SSE in St. Bernard, La., lost one of his senior estimators in 2023. The experience level needed in that role and today's hiring challenges make filling the job and others like it an arduous and lengthy process. As limited manpower reduced his bid capacity and slowed revenue potential, Airhart jumped back into estimating, redirecting his focus from working on the business to working in the business.

Airhart filling the void was a temporary fix, though. Soon after, he turned to software automation technology to fill SSE's capacity gap and discovered how Al-powered innovations support the steel industry. SSE is among a growing number of fabrication companies to implement it in recent years.

As detailed in "Al Arrival" in the June 2024 issue of Modern Steel Construction, Al aims to train computers to think, learn, and solve problems like humans or, in some cases, better than humans. Modern algorithms still have a long way to go-most are known as "narrow" Al that specialize in a handful of functions. ChatGPT's ability to answer questions and write essays or Midjourney's ability to turn text into images using natural language processing falls into that category.

Those programs are trained on generalized data and aren't built for the risk-laden, safety-conscious, visual-data-heavy steel industry. Early applications of Al in steel largely revolve around computer vision — the "eyes" of the Al world that can identify, interpret, and manipulate images and videos. Some contractors and sub-contractors are using computer vision to collect data and report potential safety concerns, monitor machinery for predictive maintenance, examine products for defects, and manage inventory and logistical needs.

Limited-use cases have shown Al can increase efficiency, decrease financial bleeds, and fill gaps hollowed by labor shortages. Most Al programs weren't designed just for steel; they were co-opted from other industries. Al's true potential unfolds when Al developers and domain experts in steel businesses come together to create technologies that understand the steel business' needs and language.

One of the first major Al and steel collaborations began in 2021 when a group of AISC-certified and member fabricators joined Al startup Sketchdeck.ai to build LIFT, an automated material take-off software that can read 2D engineering drawings. LIFT partnered with fabricators to ease the burden on estimation teams by identifying structural steel elements in bidding plans and exporting information into integrated software/BOMs.

As an early application of Al in steel, the journey of building and discovery was fraught with trial, error, and iteration— and has started yielding meaningful success. Early case studies have proven that teams using Al technologies like LIFT can evaluate and bid more work, increase speed without compromising quality, and alleviate the strain on human estimators, resulting in healthier revenues.

Increasing Bid Capacity Through Automation

Estimator teams can only complete bids so fast. The prohibitively time-consuming evaluation process presents significant barriers to growing revenue; companies inundated with requests are often limited by their actual bid capacity, with last-minute bids and double-stacked deadlines pinching the revenue bottleneck even tighter.

In fall 2023, Todd Weaver, CEO of the Metals Fabrication Company and an AISC Board of Directors member, encountered a shop slowdown right as two experienced estimators left the business. The increased workload and decreased capacity quickly overwhelmed MetalsFab's estimation team with many tedious tasks, and accuracy faced potential compromises as the team pushed faster bids with fewer members.

MetalsFab tapped Al to help alleviate the burden and noticed what Joe Sage, MetalsFab's IT manager, described as an "immediate impact" on productivity. Integrating the new technology into the team's workflow reduced take-off times by up to 50%, allowing estimators to spend more time on high-value tasks like reviewing bid details and scope documents. When the estimation bottleneck uncorked, turnaround times on bids contracted, bid capacity increased, and MetalsFab built a healthy backlog of awarded jobs in the following months.

Alleviating Talent Shortages

When Airhart's senior estimator left, he witnessed firsthand how hard the steel industry's labor shortages have hit estimation teams, whether they're ramping up growth or replacing lost talent. The time-consuming process required the stretched-thin fabricator to split precious hours between working on the shop floor and managing his business, limiting bid capacity and expansion potential. Even after onboarding, estimators often stagger under hefty workloads and tight deadlines that contribute to burnout and future talent losses.

"I've had problems finding competent, capable estimators who I didn't have to train," Airhart said. "I want to have the estimators | have, not worry about adding new talent, and still be able to grow."

Like MetalsFab, SSE integrated LIFT into their workflow to automate portions of the estimation process. Airhart's team immediately reported reduced estimation times up to 75%, with complex bid times dropping from six to eight hours to just 1. 5. The extra support eased the pressure on SSE's estimators, who could tackle their workload with renewed focus. Airhart even found more time to focus on exploring new client opportunities.

Bridging the Gap Between Speed and Quality

Troy Ernst, chief estimator at King Steel, Inc., is no stranger to the tightrope fabricators walk: increase speed and decrease accuracy, potentially landing more jobs that need more corrections, or decrease speed and increase accuracy, limiting bid capacity.

"You have human eyes looking at drawings, doing take-offs one piece at a time, and quantifying that. There are limits to human speed," Ernst said. "There's only so fast you can work to stay accurate."

Ernst's estimation team frequently faced manual take-offs that were time-consuming and prone to imprecision under tight deadlines. Adding more work to grow the business exacerbated their stress. Often, his estimators found themselves choosing between focusing on details, speed, or client engagement, leading to perceptions of disorganization.

Ernst implemented LIFT into King Steel's workflow to give his team a new tool to address the capacity-quality bid gap. The estimation team leveraged LIFT's ability to identify steel on plans and automate material take-offs to halve estimation times, freeing up room to focus on quality. The increased accuracy and reliability allowed King Steel to hone its competitive edge in a tight market, and soon, estimators were tackling new, exciting projects that hit the ideal balance of challenging and accomplishable.

Software that "Speaks Steel"

Estimators spend substantial chunks of time fiddling with software not designed for their needs.

"We automate a lot of things in our shop-fabrication processes, different things for the erectors - so we really wanted to integrate [automation] into the estimating department," said Mason Callagher, an estimator at MSE Inc. "The problem we found over 10 to 15 years was that it's hard to find estimators to do monotonous jobs like simple beams and columns data entry."

Those are tedious, time-intensive, and detail-heavy tasks that often lead to mental strain, eye strain, and, in some cases, low morale. Software that should, in theory, speed up the inefficient, error-prone process merely shifts it into another computer program and frustrates teams.

"We [looked at] other software that allows you to perform the take-off on the PDF, [but] you still have to perform your take-off manually," Callagher said. "In at least one of those cases, it really slowed things down. It didn't reduce the workload; it was just a different way of collecting the information."

MSE initially adopted LIFT to streamline take-offs from PDF drawings, but the estimation team soon found benefits beyond reducing take-off times by 95%. Having software fluent in steel-specific activities as part of the workflow allowed estimators to focus on less tedious tasks, interface with clients, and even enjoy the occasional caffeine break away from their workstations.

"We were just kind of doing it in an archaic way before," Callagher said. "[Now], we're finally doing things more efficiently with the right tools. It just makes it more fun, and you can't help but be a little happier."

Implementing Al Solutions

These four cases reflect just how much more fabricators, erectors, and other stakeholders in the industry can accomplish with less stress when they have the right tools in their arsenal. However, integrating Al isn't as simple as downloading traditional software. The differences boil down to three crucial facts:

Al learns on its own:

Al can learn from corrected mistakes and new data, improving its accuracy and capabilities with continued use. Unlike traditional software that requires human intervention to correct mistakes and add new features, Al specializes in real-time adjusting.

Expert-Al interaction should be collaborative:

Al tools are probabilistic, not deterministic, meaning they do amazing things but make surprising mistakes. Current Al is only as good as its training, and even advanced algorithms can hallucinate or fabricate outputs unsupported by data. (LIFT, for example, occasionally misidentifies building elements found in bid plans.)

For these reasons, it's helpful to think of Al as a digital collaborator capable of making errors but valuable for speeding up data-intensive tasks. It's common for companies to adopt a human-in-the-loop approach, where a human monitor partners with an Al algorithm to complete tasks and correct mistakes.

Al-empowered software can enhance ROI:

Al software integrates into existing processes and digital tools to enhance current functions or add new levels of scope and sophistication. Though businesses can benefit from free tools like ChatGPT, purpose built algorithms offer enhanced features and rewards so businesses can collaboratively automate more of their workflows with better results. Advanced Al requires more upfront time and resource investment than general Al, but its increased learning and output capacity delivers more impactful results to users' well-being and business' revenues.

Challenges and Future Outlook

As still-developing technologies, it's unsurprising that Al is unevenly implemented across industries. Steel has been slower to adopt Al than many traditionally creative fields for many reasons, among them:

A lack of Al technologies that know how to work specifically with steel and integrate easily into existing workflows.
The prevalence of on-the-job training in construction industries, which may spook fabricators, Gcs, and estimators away from more technical systems they perceive as requiring more advanced training or knowledge.
A lack of available upskilling programs to train existing workers to use more advanced systems.
Concerns about the impact of Al hallucinations on business' output and bottom lines.
The time and money expense required to acquire new systems— some fabricators prefer what they have over integrating what they don't.

Despite these challenges, businesses that implement steel-specific Al software can see substantial benefits in just weeks. MetalsFab's estimation team, for instance, enjoyed a 40% reduction in setup time per bid after adopting Al into its workflow.

MSE estimates that its team saved a whole work week per month in its first year of use. In both cases, supporting their estimation teams with custom-built Al resulted in more comprehensive bids, faster turnarounds, and increased flexibility.

Strategic partnerships and deployments have already revolutionized the steel industry, making companies faster, more efficient, and more profitable.

"| went from $8 million two years ago to $12 million to $30 million-and we're going to possibly hit $40 million this year," Airhart said.

Contrary to many fears, adopting Al isn't about outsourcing human labor. It's about capitalizing on human labor, building collaborative partnerships where humans delegate menial, data-driven labor to machine learning so they can focus on high-value tasks.

"Everybody's resistant to change; that's just human nature," Ernst said. "We've seen the value of innovation in this industry, and to stay ahead of the curve, you have to keep investing."

As Al grows, learns, and integrates deeper into life and industry, its transformative potential will ease labor shortages and inefficiencies, bridge gaps between speed and quality, and uncork workflow and financial bottlenecks. But it won't happen overnight or on its own. Businesses must prepare their teams by investing in technological education and selecting technologies that balance benefits, real-world uses, and growth potential. While there are challenges that need to be addressed, Al's integration has already shaped a more efficient, cost-effective future for the steel industry.

"We were just kind of scratching the surface before," Callagher said. "We realized that if you're not growing, you're dying."

Arrival of AI in Structural Steel

NOTE: This article was originally published in AISC's June Edition of Modern Steel Construction

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (Al) has taken the world by storm, revolutionizing the way machines and computer systems think, learn, and perform tasks that were previously the exclusive domain of human intelligence. While some industry sectors have been reluctant to use Al and are skeptical of its impact, the steel industry is increasingly pushing past its initial hesitation and tackling age-old challenges with Al.

The construction and trade industries are plagued with significant issues in labor shortage, low productivity, volatile costs, and manual and repetitive workflows ripe for Al technology innovation. Al systems today can perform tasks like understanding human language, recognizing patterns, learning from experience, and making predictions and decisions. There is no better time than now for innovations that can be used to reduce wasted time and material, alleviate worker stress, and help our industries work safer and faster. Al is already impacting construction speed and quality, efficient material use, and will continue to impact the planning, designing, fabrication, and construction phases of projects.

Historical Context

To understand why Al is poised to have a transformative impact across industries, start from the earliest mentions of Al and the breakthroughs that led us to where we are today. In 1950, computer scientist Alan Turing introduced the "Turing Test" —also called the "Imitation Game"-in his paper, Computer and Machine Intelligence. The Turing Test measures a machine's intelligence by having a human evaluator interact with a machine and a human, without knowing which is which, and judge the machine's success based on whether it can convincingly mimic human behavior.

Five years later, scientist and professor John McCarthy, known as the father of Al, held a conference at Dartmouth College and coined the phrase "Artificial Intelligence." Throughout the next two decades, scientists advanced Al technologies and some companies began using them to support human workers.

After decades of incremental research progress and exponential growth in available computing power, Al can now replicate human performance on a wide range of tasks. In recent examples, Al systems have passed the multiple choice and written portions of the bar exam and the highly competitive Fundamentals of Engineering Environmental Exam.

Since late 2021, public awareness of Al has exploded with advances in Generative Al, a subset of Al that can generate new content, such as images, text, audio, or video, similar to or indistinguishable from real examples. These systems use vast amounts of data collected from the Internet to allow the models to learn patterns. The most well-known generative Al tool today is Chat- GPT, which can generate human-like responses to text prompts. Generative Al tools can paint pictures, write poetry, develop archi- tectural designs, and establish proposals independently.

Common Types of Al and Their Applications

A single Al system has yet to match or exceed human-level intelligence across a wide range of cognitive tasks, a benchmark referred to as artificial general intelligence (AGI). Instead, existing Al applications are limited to narrowly defined ones that mimic human performance on specific tasks-referred to as narrow Al.

Today's most popular Al systems leverage vast amounts of data using neural networks, a mathematical structure inspired by the biological neural networks found in the brain, to uncover patterns, learn, and make predictions from available data. These neural networks and the architectures developed around them have led to significant advancements in computer vision and natural language processing-two subsets of narrow Al—as well as other areas. Project owners, engineers, architects, fabricators, and contractors have leveraged the advancements to work faster and more accurately.

Computer vision is a powerful technology used to interpret and understand the visual world. Within construction, computer vision algorithms are used to monitor construction progress and identify safety risks faster and often more accurately than a human can. One exciting application of computer vision allows fabricators to scan construction bidding plans and output material takeoffs.

For example, King Steel, an AISC member fabricator in Lawrenceville, Ga., is one of many fabricators using SketchDeckai's program "LIFT" to cut their material takeoff times by 50%, giving them two extra days per week to focus on higher-value tasks.

Natural language processing (NLP) is an Al technique embedded in popular applications like virtual assistants or chatbots. It allows computers to understand, interpret, and generate text and speech in a way that is understandable to humans. The steel industry and other construction contractors can use custom built NLP models and tools to scan contracts to identify risks, scope, and missing components ahead of time.

Many NLP applications function as virtual assistants, researchers, and consultants to help ensure consistent quality and considerations within contracts. When thinking about where NLP might be useful in your organization, consider where you could use an assistant to read documents and answer questions or write reports based on their reading.

In addition to working with images and text, Al can analyze a wide range of structured and unstructured data sources that can be used at all stages of a construction project.

In the design and planning processes, Al systems could analyze enormous amounts of data from past projects, material properties, and environmental factors to support the design of efficient and cost-effective steel structures. Some engineers and designers are using these systems to create internal search engines for their technical data sets, and others have attempted to use these tools to provide a cold start during design, proposal writing, contract creation, and review that saves valuable time.

Predictive maintenance and quality control are other vital areas where Al can impact the construction industry by monitoring steel structures and collecting data in real time from various cameras, sensors, and devices. Al algorithms can take the data and detect potential issues, such as corrosion, fatigue, and structural weakness, before they cause damage or harm. Proactive and predictive maintenance reduces downtime and ensures the safety and durability of steel structures.

Similar technologies to those that monitor structures can also predict equipment failures before they happen. By monitoring machinery and equipment operational conditions, typically with sensors and data analytics software, Al can identify patterns that could indicate a potential breakdown or significant wear, providing consistent quality during production and increasing safety.

Work previously done by an individual can now be completed with Al's help and reduce the time and effort required in design, planning, and construction phases. Streamlined processes will benefit owners, designers, fabricators, and contractors when dealing with changing information during design and construction and while processing numerous data points in complicated projects.

Considerations for Al Implementation

Al's opportunities are endless, but it is not yet infallible. Creativity and speed can at times come at the cost of accuracy. In some cases, Al systems can hallucinate, making connections in the data where none exist. A generative Al tool used to describe an image or summarize a document may add details that aren't present in the image or in the document itself.

Those glitches have made companies and workers ask if they can trust Al. Will it be accurate enough? Is company data private and safe? Are teams and staff prepared for the impact it will have? How and where should companies start implementation?

In high-stakes applications where errors could have severe financial, societal, or safety consequences, using systems and designing workflows that incorporate human oversight and intervention can mitigate risks and ensure safety. While Al can often outperform humans in narrow tasks with great accuracy, the more complicated a decision-making process becomes, the higher the likelihood for Al errors. A human-in-the-loop approach is essential to building trust within an organization and mitigating the impact of errors that are inherent in probabilistic systems.

Successful Al implementation often requires identifying individuals within an organization who are enthusiastic about Al and willing to champion its adoption. They should be advocates, educators, and role models for others, helping to promote a culture of innovation and learning. Companies should empower these Al champions or specialists to lead Al initiatives, share knowledge, and drive organizational change.

It's also important to invest in skills development and upskilling for your teams to gain the knowledge and expertise required to work effectively with Al. Many Al tools and educational options are available for free to the public.

For those not sure where to start, think about your organization's most pressing challenges. Are your teams overwhelmed by the amount of work they process? Are you having difficulty managing your schedules, completing your designs promptly, or responding to customers? Using Al to tackle your most significant challenges will often lead to the highest impact on your organization. Despite a keen focus on your biggest problems, starting small and re-investing in technologies that show great promise is a sure way to win with Al.

Future Outlook

Many fabricators across the country using Al software are already seeing its benefits. SteelFab, Inc. vice president of preconstruction Jonathan Mertz and senior estimator Garrett Gallagher each attest to Al creating time savings that help the company minimize errors, bid on more work, focus on proposals, respond to customers faster, and improve the overall quality of bids. A novelty tool for them and others not long ago has quickly become an essential part of their work.

Similar stories are being told across multiple industries. As Al continues to revolutionize industries, its transformative power is clear: by harnessing its potential, companies can overcome labor shortages, reduce costs, and drive growth, ultimately gaining a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Q2 2024 Product Updates

We hope you're enjoying the summer and gearing up for a successful Q3. At http://SketchDeck.ai , we're dedicated to simplifying and improving the lives of estimators by leveraging new technologies to solve longstanding challenges. We've made significant strides in Q2, and we're thrilled to share our progress with you.

Recent Product Improvements:

Here are a few new features we've rolled out over the last quarter:

Automated connection codes for complex bidding processes.
Pop-out quantities panel.
Copy, paste, and undo functionality.
Preset scales and multi-page scaling.

Hundreds of estimators have saved tens of thousands of hours in bidding times, submitting more than 900 bids faster and with greater accuracy in the first half of this year. LIFT has supported our customers across North America, increasing their take-off speeds by reducing the monotony in estimating and allowing teams to focus on the more challenging parts of their take-offs.

Detailed Highlights

Automated Connection Codes

LIFT will soon be able to automatically identify the end conditions of a beam. This feature is currently in beta testing with a few of our design partners.

Feedback from Fabricators:

"We've tested this prototype and it has saved us 80% of the time spent on beam take-offs. This is going to be a huge time saver."
"One estimator saved 4 days on a job that would have taken her five days and two people to take off."

Note: This feature is at the prototype stage and will be rolled out to a limited group of fabricators in Q3. If you think automated connection codes could benefit your team, we’d love to connect. Feel free to reach out to us.

Pop-out Quantities Panel

We’ve added the ability to open the Quantities Panel in a separate window, allowing customers to view the Quantities Panel and main LIFT screen on separate monitors. Just open the Quantities Panel and click the “pop-out” button.

Copy, Paste & Undo

The copy, paste, and undo features have been implemented to reduce friction for estimators using the platform. Estimators can now easily copy and paste selected rows of beams or click the “undo” button to revert accidentally completed actions.

Preset Scales & Multi-Page Scaling

The multi-page scaling feature allows users to add the scale once and apply it to multiple pages, eliminating the need to scale every page individually when multiple scales are possible.

Industry Recognition

The AISC published an article on the arrival of AI in steel in the June issue of Modern Steel Construction. For some, AI remains elusive, while others find its impact significant. The reality is that AI is already providing a competitive advantage to fabricators embracing it. If you haven't read the article yet, check it out here.

Thank You

A special thanks to the customers who provided insights and feedback on feature development over the past quarter. These fabricators are helping us build software that can "speak steel," as described by Mason Carragher, an estimator at McDougall Steel Erectors.

Feel free to reach out and connect with us if these changes sound like they would be of interest. We're here to help!

Meet Daniel Kamau, Founder of SketchDeck.AI

NOTE: This article has been republished. The original can be found on the U of A Website.

Daniel Kamau (’20 MBA) graduated into a challenging environment but saw an opportunity to start his business – SketchDeck.ai, which applies artificial intelligence and machine learning to build tools for the construction industry. Here, Daniel reflects on his journey through the MBA program and on what he’s learned in the early days of building his business.

BAA: What influenced your decision to pursue an MBA from the Alberta School of Business?

I always wanted to go to grad school, but I wasn't sure exactly what I would study. In 2017, I started to question the value that I was adding to the construction industry in my role as a structural engineer. Although it was a rewarding career path, I knew there was more I could do. I wanted to be more involved in solving large-scale problems that construction companies and professionals were facing. At that point, I decided to go back to school to pursue an MBA. My goal was to learn what it takes to lead large-scale projects, large teams, companies, or movements. I wanted to be a better leader, understand more about business, make meaningful connections, and expand my career opportunities. An MBA seemed like the way to go.

I spoke with a few friends who had attended the Business school. They all had very impressive backgrounds and had transitioned successfully into the next stages of their careers thanks to the program. What sold me the most was not only the fact that the Alberta School of Business had well-known faculty, but there was also the option for students to complete a joint construction engineering degree and business degree. I was sold.

BAA: How was student life for you? Were you involved in student groups or other activities that have influenced your post-graduation journey?

When I started the MBA, I had just become a dad for the first time. It was a busy time at home with a newborn so my student life outside of the classroom was limited. I focused on a few extracurriculars. I got involved with Net Impact because of my passion for advancing social good and volunteering with non-profits. That was a great experience! I was paired with a great group of students and together we worked together on sizing a target market for Women Building Futures, a local non-profit focused on empowering women through job retraining and work placements.

BAA: Can you tell us about your journey since graduating with your MBA?

Well, 2020 was a very challenging year for a lot of people. I graduated in the middle of the pandemic which made finding work extremely challenging. I had a few options that I was very excited about, but nothing panned out, so I decided to act on a business idea that I had started to really entertain and think about during my final year of the program. It was a big risk, but it's been very rewarding, and I've learned a lot and had an amazing time trying to uncover pain points in the construction industry and build out meaningful solutions.

BAA: You've recently started a new business - SketchDeck.ai. Can you tell us about your business and how this opportunity came about?

SketchDeck.ai, is focused on building Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML) powered tools and platforms for the construction industry. Our flagship product is a material counting tool that automates data extraction from construction drawings. There are a lot of companies that turn down bids because they don't have the time or manpower to put together an estimate or a bid. We're building a tool that can automate the manual, repetitive tasks of putting together a bid and allow companies to focus on the more challenging parts of winning a job and ensuring profitability.

BAA: How has your Alberta School of Business education influenced your business?

The MBA has influenced my business the most when it comes to building a team. I have had to think more about the interests, skills, and experiences of the people that I work with how to leverage those attributes to solve customer problems. I also think my education has helped me become more self-aware. I have a good grasp of my strengths and weaknesses and have learned how to work effectively with other high performers and people with very diverse backgrounds and expertise, which has influenced the business positively.

BAA: What have you learned in these early days of running your business that you would pass on as advice to others?

I've learned two big lessons. First, ask the hard questions, even the ones that we may not like the answers to. In my opinion, this has been the best way to uncover big challenges and identify which ones are worth solving. Asking questions also means not rushing to push a product or a technology, before finding out the why. Second, the most important part of any business or movement is the team. Great feats and hard problems are not solved by individuals they are the work of high-performing teams that have a bias for action and that are able to iterate on solutions that work.

Find out more about SketchDeck.ai on LinkedIn.