Why it matters
Without integrated AI progress reporting, projects risk misaligned expectations, late change notices, unreported issues, and stalled approvals due to fragmented updates and handoffs.
From design to safety
Design
AI aids tender design and planning
The AI ingests the written scheme of investigation, tender specifications, baseline risks, and stakeholder notes to forecast reporting requirements and populate client-ready progress dashboards.
- Context plan
- Risk register
- Written scheme of investigation
- Tender schedule
Build
Progress capture during site setup
The AI reads site setup data, including welfare, fencing, dewatering plans, and initial excavation method, generating weekly progress narratives and visual summaries for clients.
- Site welfare setup
- Fencing plan
- Dewatering pump
- Excavation method
Operation
Live reporting and client briefings
The AI aggregates field logbooks, photographs, context sheets, and change notices to produce daily/weekly reports, highlights risks, and schedules client meetings.
- Context sheets
- Photographs
- Change notices
- Meeting log
Maintenance
Post-excavation and archive readiness
The AI tracks post-excavation analysis, finds and archive preparation, and post-excavation assessment milestones, aligning with HER submission deadlines and client reviews.
- Finds log
- Archive storage
- Post-excavation assessment plan
- Photographic records
Safety
Safety-driven reporting and sign-offs
The AI flags trench safety, buried services, and contamination checks, generating sign-off-ready summaries for the qualified person and the client’s heritage advisor.
- Trench safety plan
- Buried services map
- Contamination check
- UXO clearance
Part by part
- 1
Total Station
- Watch for
- Coordinate drift or misalignment in stakeout targets during long surveys.
- AI action
- AI flags inconsistent coordinates and prompts quick re-measurement tasking.
- 2
Drone (UAV)
- Watch for
- Degraded flight logs or missing overlap in aerial captures.
- AI action
- AI requests additional flight height or overlap for complete photogrammetry.
- 3
Digital Camera
- Watch for
- Shutter failures or blurred frames during critical progress shots.
- AI action
- AI triggers retake reminder and flags image quality issues.
- 4
Trench Shield
- Watch for
- Buckling or deformation under trench pressure near edges.
- AI action
- AI advises temporary shoring reinforcement and safety briefing update.
- 5
Timber Shoring Panel
- Watch for
- Wear or displacement from excavation activity.
- AI action
- AI schedules inspection and reinforcement before continued trenching.
- 6
Photogrammetry Targets
- Watch for
- Misplaced targets or missing survey markers in imagery.
- AI action
- AI issues marker realignments and retakes necessary.
Worked example
Client progress monitoring for a 5.2 ha development with periods from Early Bronze Age to modern disturbance
Illustrative scenario with sample data.
An exploration phase expands, requiring rapid client updates, change notices, and weekly reviews with the planning authority.
Signal in
fieldData: {site: '5.2 ha', periodStart: '2026-05-01', periodEnd: '2026-11-01', updates: 6, photos: 154, changes: 3, meetings: 2} , riskFlag: false, materials: 'context sheets', cameraMeta: {resolution: '24MP', overlap: 80%}
System out
clientReport: {week: 3, status: 'on track', changes: '1 proposed trench extension', risks: 'service strike risk high', actions: 'update WSI, notify planning authority', signoff: 'PM and heritage consultant'}
Human sign-off: Project manager reviews and approves the weekly client report and any change notices, with final sign-off by the planning archaeologist.
How to roll it out
Phase 1
Weeks 1 to 2: Baseline
Establish AI progress telemetry, client dashboard templates, and change notice workflows across tender documents.
Phase 2
Weeks 3 to 6: Active Build
Ingest live field data streams, photographs, and meeting notes; refine alert thresholds and reporting cadence.
Phase 3
Weeks 7 onward: Ongoing delivery
Maintain client-facing reports, manage approvals, and archive deliverables with automated post-excavation summaries.
Where people stay in charge
- Decisions that affect legal or planning compliance must be signed off by the qualified person on the project: planning archaeologist or HER officer.
- AI-generated notices or changes must be reviewed and countersigned by the project manager before client dispatch.
- All anonymized data handling for client deliverables must be overseen by the data controller and heritage consultant when applicable.
Questions owners and crews ask
What data feeds should the AI progress reports rely on during tendering?
The AI should pull from the tender schedule, WSI, risk registers, site welfare plans, and initial risk assessments to build a baseline client dashboard.
How does AI handle change notices in progress reporting?
AI aggregates change notices from field logs, meetings, and client requests, flags impact on program, budget, and consent conditions, and drafts updated schedules for approval.
Who approves the client progress reports before sharing with the client?
The project manager approves, with reviews by the planning archaeologist and heritage consultant as required by the tender and consent conditions.
What safety checks are included in client progress reporting?
Safety-related items include trench stability, buried services, contamination findings, and UXO clearance, with sign-off by the site safety officer and a qualified person.