Each layer below is assistive, not autonomous decisions. Pattern: capture → check → escalate → boss call. Adopt incrementally; measure hours reclaimed, disputes avoided, smoother handoffs. Not legal or financial advice.
1. Where’s My Stuff? (Asset Location)
“Where’s the key to lift #3?” → AI queries logs, pings last handlers, confirms with crew. Result: no more manhunts across jobsite radios.
2. Who’s On It? (Accountability Ping)
Track job ownership in real time. “Who’s responsible for the trench safety sign-off?” → AI pulls assignment → pings assignee if lagging.
3. Tool & Equipment Flow
AI tracks who last used the laser level, torque wrench, or skid steer. Stops the “not me, must be him” blame shuffle.
4. Compliance Snapshot
Auto-drafts permit checklists, inspection prep, and daily safety logs. Boss reviews → sign-off → ready for inspector walk-through.
5. Inventory Pulse
Materials consumed vs delivered. AI flags shortages before the pour. Rebar, concrete, and lumber counts stay ahead of schedule.
6. Vendor Watchtower
Supplier delays flagged automatically. AI checks order → traffic feed → vendor comms → pings backup supplier if risk spikes.
7. Crew Assignment Brain
Match jobs to worker skills and certs. AI proposes: “Put Marco on crane ops, he’s certified and free.”
8. Safety Guardrails
Near-miss reports drafted automatically from field chatter/photos. Keeps OSHA heat off while protecting the crew.
9. Training Cards
Every lesson you explain once becomes a pocket card: “How to brace wall forms,” “Ladder safety,” “Tool lockout.”
10. Customer Memory Layer
Clients’ quirks logged quietly. “Mrs. Smith wants text updates only, hates phone calls.” No more friction.
11. Part & Service Tracker
Every HVAC filter, hydraulic line, breaker panel tracked. Warranty work = micro-projects, not forgotten favors.
12. Change Order Auto-Draft
When the owner shifts scope, AI pulls field notes → cost delta → timeline impact → draft change order.
13. Punchlist Autopilot
As completion nears, AI compiles issues from notes/photos. Assigns to subs → tracks closure. No more yellow pad lists.
14. Payment Flow Guard
Progress billing reminders go out polite but firm. Protects cash flow without souring the relationship.
15. Reputation Monitor
Online reviews, client chatter, social media tracked. AI drafts responses before it becomes a wildfire.
16. Weather & Risk Alerts
AI pulls forecast + supplier schedules. “Storm Tuesday → push concrete to Monday or tarp forms.”
17. Payroll Sync
Crew hours reconciled with job codes and overtime. AI flags missing punches and anomalies before payday.
18. Tax Minder
Fuel receipts, tool buys, depreciation tagged instantly. No shoebox scramble in April.
19. Visual Progress Log
Daily site photos auto-organized → slideshow for clients, records for disputes.
20. Dispute Brief Generator
If conflict arises, AI assembles a timeline: contracts, change orders, texts, invoices. Turns mess into narrative.
21. Handoff That Writes Itself
During the day, AI builds shift handoff notes: major events, pending items, risks. Next foreman isn’t blind.
22. Inspection Shadow
AI reads inspection reports, highlights failures/risks, drafts fix plan. Stops failed re-inspections.
23. Supplier Reputation File
Tracks vendor delivery reliability, product defects, and responsiveness. Your quiet leverage in negotiations.
24. Crew Performance Heatmap
Not surveillance — just hours, productivity, rework rates. Helps spot burnout or training gaps.
25. Resource Timeline Simulator
Gantt auto-updates when supplier is late, rain delays, or crew gets pulled. Shows real impact before it snowballs.
26. Fail-Safe Escalation
If AI can’t close the loop (Jim never replies about the lift key), it routes: (1) Notify supervisor. (2) Generate interim workaround. (3) Log incident for accountability.
27. Post-Mortem Analyzer
After job close, AI reviews profit margin, slips, disputes → extracts lessons for next project.
28. Deal Radar
AI monitors local permits, RFPs, and developer filings. Alerts when new opportunities align with your capabilities.
Adoption Sequence (Suggested)
- Start: asset location + accountability pings.
- Add: inventory + vendor watchtower.
- Layer: compliance + safety + payment guardrails.
- Scale: change orders, dispute briefs, deal radar.
Metrics to Track
- Hours lost chasing tools/keys (baseline vs assisted).
- % of materials over-ordered or under-delivered.
- Crew overtime anomalies per pay cycle.
- Average delay days per project.
- Client satisfaction scores.
Governance & Safety Notes
- No financial commitments without boss sign-off.
- No autonomous contract changes.
- Always log AI suggestions, edits, approvals.
- Quarterly audits of compliance docs & safety logs.