This document provides answers to common questions from people not yet familiar with ALICE and the capabilities of generative scheduling.
Q1: How Does ALICE Differ From Traditional CPM Software?
- ALICE is built to support rapid what-if scenario exploration in addition to normal CPM methods
- ALICE takes into account both precedence and resource logic when generating solutions
-
The use of parametric techniques allows for flexibility and resiliency
- Crew Ranges
- Reusable Materials
- Duration Formulas / Productivity Rates
-
ALICE allows you to explore multiple viable solutions and select the best one, whereas traditional CPM software allows you to solve for one solution at a time.
Jump to ALICE vs CPM comparison chart
Q2: Where is the AI in ALICE?
- ALICE’s proprietary algorithm runs millions of simulations/what-if’s to identify optimal solutions based on objectives defined by users.
-
Additionally, ALICE has an LLM-based Insights Agent that can explore uploaded files, analyze solutions generated, compare two solutions against each other.
For more information, read how ALICE uses AI behind the scenes
Q3: What is Generative Construction?
-
ALICE doesn’t just analyze or describe. It generates a solution(s) based upon schedule input and outcome prioritization as dictated by the user.
For more information, read our blog post about generative construction.
Q4: How can ALICE optimize my schedule?
- When you upload a schedule, you can conduct rapid optimization using targeted acceleration (no configuration required).
- Additionally, advanced optimizations can be unlocked by using ALICE to add flexibility to plans and then running them through the optimization algorithm to generate schedules. Examples of flexibility include:
- Set crew ranges and use ALICE to optimize crew allocation within the boundaries you define.
- Create duration formulas to allow for flexible scheduling based on variable inputs.
- Remove preferential logic and use ALICE to find the most efficient sequence of work.
-
Define active and idle costs and use ALICE to find the most cost-effective schedule.
Explore our use case library to learn more about applications of ALICE.
Q5: How Can ALICE Create Value?
- Pre-Bid / Bid: Find and address weak points in the build strategy to produce a high quality, realistic and competitive bid. For owners, build a baseline to validate assumptions on expected cost or duration, and compare submissions against the baseline to identify the best bid.
- Bid Award / Pre-Con: Compare schedules and analyze for schedule risk/quality or opportunities for savings
- Execution: Schedule analysis, what-ifs, recovery analysis
Read the ALICE Value outcomes article to learn more.
Additional Details