Let’s be real – historically speaking, construction wasn’t exactly known for being cutting-edge when it comes to tech. But that’s changing fast, and if you’re not using data analytics in preconstruction, you’re basically still using a flip phone in 2025. Here’s how to level up your data game. 

The Big Three: What You Need to Know 

1. Benchmarking: Compare & Contrast Like a Pro 

Think of this as your construction Spotify Wrapped – but instead of tracking your questionable music choices, you’re tracking project performance. You can: 

• Stack your current projects against your past wins (or losses). 

• Compare specific elements (like how much elevated slabs cost or how fast your team installs column formwork). 

• Fact-check those “too good to be true” contractor or subcontractor quotes. 

• Run quality checks before you hit "send" on that proposal. Pro tip: Internally reviewing your estimates against historical data before submission can save your personal and corporate reputation. 

2. Trend Analysis: Spot Patterns Like Netflix’s Algorithm 

Just like how Netflix knows you’ll watch anything with Pedro Pascal in it, trend analysis helps you spot patterns in your data over time. We’re talking: 

• Design efficiency trends (like how much actual usable space is in a design). 

• Strategic insights like design efficiency (net leasable area vs. gross area). 

• Project type performance (which ones are actually worth your time). 

• Regional variations (because building a data center in Seattle hits different than one in Phoenix). 

These insights don’t just help with pricing or design; they can shape your entire business strategy. Should you focus more on manufacturing or hospitality pursuits? Should you self-perform certain tasks or subcontract them? The trends will tell you. 

3. Conceptual Estimating: Your Crystal Ball 

You know how your food delivery app gives you an estimated arrival time? This is like that, but for project costs. And just like you don’t want your dinner to be late, clients don’t want budget surprises. Getting close the first time gets you invited back or kicked off the island. 

Here’s the reality: Owners often ask for budgets while they’re still brainstorming. They’re not handing out the award; they’re gathering data points. Your job? Deliver quick, reliable numbers without breaking the bank in the process. By leveraging historical data and the right tools, you can reduce pursuit costs and still wow your clients. 

The Glow Up: From Data Mess to Data Success 

Starting with Your Past 

• Your project history is like a playlist of your greatest hits – it tells a story of successes, challenges, and lessons learned. Make it a good one. 

• No need to trash your current systems – work with what you’ve got. 

• Clean up your data like you’d clean up your camera roll before showing it to someone. Data conditioning is key; don’t just dump everything into a Data Lake and hope for the best. 

• Define your metrics (KPIs) and measure against them. 

Future-Proofing Your Process 

Remember when everyone thought Bitcoin would make us all millionaires? Yeah, predictions aren’t always that simple. But with the right tools: 

• Use predictive analytics (but make it make sense). Predict quantities, costs, and unit prices, but ensure your process is transparent. 

• Keep it transparent – if you can’t explain how you got a number, it’s as sketchy as a 3 AM text. 

• Sometimes manual is better (shocking, we know). Building up budgets piece by piece enables accountability and accuracy. 

• Context is everything – knowing the origin of your data ensures you’re making valid predictions.  

The AI Situation 

Let’s talk AI – yes, it’s everywhere, like that one song you couldn’t escape in 2023. In preconstruction, it’s great for: 

• Automated takeoffs. 

• Contract document reviews. 

• Specifications risk analysis. 

But for cost prediction? It’s complicated. Super advanced AI can be like that friend who makes plans but can’t explain how they’ll actually show up – mysterious and unreliable. If your AI tool can’t show you exactly how it generated a number, your estimators won’t trust it. And trust is everything. 

Bottom Line 

Start. Now. Like, right after you finish reading this. This isn’t some new social media trend that’ll be gone next week – successful teams have been doing this for years. The sooner you jump in, the better your data game will be. 

Remember: The best time to start was yesterday. The second-best time is now.