Introducing Progress Tracking in DatuBIM

Introducing Progress Tracking in DatuBIM

Introduction

DatuBIM now includes Progress Tracking, connecting project schedule activities with the physical scope of work so teams can monitor quantities, dates, progress, forecasts, and weighted completion within the same project environment. 

This release also introduces DatuAI (Beta), a natural-language assistant for querying and updating supported information stored in the DatuBIM design.

Together, these capabilities expand how teams can use project schedule and design information to understand what was planned, what is being built, and how work is progressing.

Connect Your Project Schedule With the Design

Progress Tracking creates a connection between activities in the project schedule and the physical elements represented in the design. Project schedules from Microsoft Project or Primavera P6 can be brought into DatuBIM and used to establish activities that will be monitored.

Design objects can then be connected to the applicable activity, linking the physical design element being built to the schedule activity used to track that work.


Track Progress in the Way the Work is Measured

Different construction activities are measured in different ways. Progress Tracking supports activity measurement by: 
  1. Count
  2. Length
  3. Area
  4. Volume
  5. Mass
  6. Percentage
This allows teams to configure activities around the way progress can realistically be measured and verified for that scope of work. Required quantities, progress values, dates, comments, and other activity information can then be maintained as the work advances. 


Build a Historical Record of Progress

Progress updates are recorded over time, creating a history of how each activity has advanced. 

Teams can record progress for the appropriate date, maintain the actual start and end information, and add supporting evidence when applicable. 


This provides more than a current completion percentage. It creates a record that can be used to understand how progress developed throughout the activity and where the work may be heading.

Understand the Impact of Each Activity

Not every construction activity contributes equally to the overall project.

Progress Tracking introduces Activity Weights, allowing teams to define the relative contribution of each activity to overall completion. Project teams can establish weights using a methodology appropriate for the project, such as: 
  1. Cost / Budget at Completion (BAC) 
  2. Planned duration
  3. An agreed hybrid methodology
DatuBIM then normalizes the relative Weight values entered by the project team so the monitored activities total 100%. 


Review Progress at the Project Level

The Progress Dashboard brings activity-level information together into a project-level management view. 


The Dashboard provides visibility into information such as: 
  1. Weighted Completion
  2. Contract and actual dates
  3. Forecast completion
  4. Activity-level progress and schedule information
  5. Planned versus actual completion
  6. Progress Trends
  7. Activity Status
Visual Analytics provide additional ways to understand how the monitored scope is performing over time. 


Teams can now configure which Tracked Activities are included int eh Dashboard and use Visual Analytics to focus on the activities most relevant to the current project question. This creates a direct path from a high-level project KPI to the individual activities contributing to that result. 

Explore Design Data with DatuAI (Beta)

DatuAI allows users to interact with structured design information using natural language. 

From a single design, DatuAI can help users: 
  1. Find, count, select, or highlight objects by name, type, layer, or property
  2. Filter objects using property values or dates
  3. Review supported object properties and schedule relationships
  4. Perform calculations using numeric object properties
  5. Update supported dates, approval information, and custom object properties

Beta Note: DatuAI is currently being released as a Beta feature and is identified as such within DatuBIM. The capability is still being refined, so users may encounter limitations or inconsistent behavior while using it. 

From Design Data to Actionable Progress Information

Progress Tracking expands how project design information can be used in DatuBIM. 

Rather than viewing the design only as a reference, teams can connect individual design objects with project activities and use those relationships as part of the structure for monitoring construction progress. 

The complete workflow connects Project Schedule - Design Objects - Tracked Activities - Progress Updates - Activity Weights - Progress Dashboard. 

DatuAI provides an additional way to query and maintain supported information stored on those structured design objects and their schedule relationships.

Together, these capabilities provide a connected view of what was planned, what is being built, how much has been completed, and what that progress means for the overall project.

Ready to Explore Progress Tracking?

To begin setting up Progress Tracking on your project, see Progress Tracking Overview and Recommended Workflow. 

From there, the Progress Tracking Knowledge Base provides detailed guidance for: 
  1. Importing your project schedule
  2. Preparing design objects
  3. Linking objects to activities
  4. Creating and configuring Tracked Activties
  5. Updating progress and activity status
  6. Configuring activity weights
  7. Using the Progress Dashboard
  8. Troubleshooting common questions
If you have questions about how Progress Tracking or DatuAI (Beta) can be used with your project, reach out to your Datumate Customer Success Manager.