At AEC Foundry, we recognize that the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is constantly evolving, particularly in areas like AI and process automation. The AEC sector has traditionally excelled at managing projects—large, complex undertakings like buildings and infrastructure that require meticulous planning and execution. In such projects, a waterfall approach is essential because the final outcome must be fully defined and planned from the outset. You can’t “fail-fast and iterate” when constructing a building, nor can you release a “Minimum Viable Product” with just one core feature and build upon it later. In construction, everything needs to be spec'd out in full, with all requirements clearly defined before the first brick is laid.

However, when it comes to technology development, this project-centric, full-requirements approach doesn’t translate well. The AEC industry often applies the same methods used for physical projects to software and technology, leading to slow adoption, high costs, and frequent failures. Large investments are made in custom software solutions that, once deployed, reveal themselves to be unnecessary or poorly suited to user needs. The rigid waterfall approach, so effective in construction, falls short when applied to technology.

At AEC Foundry, we understand these unique challenges and have crafted a strategic, streamlined approach called Two-Four-Launch, designed specifically for the AEC sector. This method bridges the gap between traditional project management and the agile, iterative processes that are crucial for successful technology development. Two-Four-Launch allows for rapid prototyping, continuous feedback, and adaptive development, ensuring that the technology we deliver is not only functional but also truly valuable to its users.What is Two-Four-Launch?

Two-Four-Launch is a six-week development process designed to deliver impactful results quickly while allowing room for continuous improvement. The process is broken down into two distinct phases:

1. Discovery and Ideation (2 weeks)

During this phase, we work closely with our clients to understand their unique challenges, define the project’s goals, and ideate potential solutions. This stage involves thorough research, stakeholder engagement, and initial planning to ensure that the project is set up for success.

2. Development and Delivery (4 weeks)

In the subsequent four weeks, our team focuses on developing a functional product or solution that addresses the defined challenges. This phase emphasizes rapid development, testing, and iteration, ensuring that the solution is ready for launch by the end of the sprint.

Why It Works

Two-Four-Launch is designed to be agile and responsive, allowing us to tackle complex projects by breaking them into manageable, focused sprints. This approach significantly reduces the risk and cost associated with traditional, monolithic development models. By delivering a shippable product or feature within six weeks, we can quickly validate solutions, gather feedback, and refine the product in subsequent iterations.

Our clients benefit from this approach by seeing tangible results quickly, which builds confidence in the solution and in our partnership. Additionally, the iterative nature of Two-Four-Launch ensures that we can pivot or adapt the project as new insights or challenges arise, keeping the process aligned with our clients’ evolving needs.

Two-Four-Launch in Action

One of our key engagements involved collaborating with a global architecture firm eager to explore the potential of AI technologies to enhance access to internal knowledge and standards across their projects and teams. They were initially cautious about the scale and cost of custom AI integration and wanted to see a clear demonstration of the technology’s value.

Inspiration

Rather than diving into a comprehensive AI integration, we decided to focus on a specific, high-value use case: improving the search and retrieval of relevant 2D detail drawings from their database using natural language queries. This targeted approach promised immediate, measurable benefits and served as a pilot project to showcase the broader potential of AI within their organization.

Approach

In the first two weeks, we engaged closely with the client’s team to gain a deep understanding of their existing knowledge management processes, pain points, and data sources. We then spent the following four weeks developing a prototype that utilized AI to enhance the search functionality, enabling users to retrieve precise 2D detail drawings based on natural text queries. Throughout the process, we incorporated client feedback to ensure the solution met their specific needs.

Results

At the end of the six-week cycle, we delivered a functional AI-driven tool that significantly improved the efficiency of searching and retrieving 2D detail drawings. The success of this initial sprint demonstrated the practical benefits of AI, laying a strong foundation for further AI integrations. The client gained confidence in both the technology and our partnership, seeing firsthand how AI could transform their operations.

Conclusion

Two-Four-Launch is more than just a development process—it’s a strategic approach to innovation that minimizes risk, enhances flexibility, and delivers value quickly. By partnering with AEC Foundry through Two-Four-Launch, clients can explore new technologies, validate their impact, and establish a strong foundation for long-term success.

If you’re interested in discovering how Two-Four-Launch can help your organization leverage AI and automation, let’s start the conversation! Schedule a call with our team and see how we can transform your operations with cutting-edge technology.