Ascentae's Nialli software has helped drive consistency, collaboration, and improved project outcomes at construction company Willmott Dixon.
The construction industry has long been associated with inefficiencies, fragmented communication, and delays. Rising error costs, unpredictable timelines, and a lack of standardisation often hinder productivity. For Willmott Dixon, an increase in error-related costs compounded these industry-wide challenges, leading to a strategic drive to improve efficiency and gain control of on-site delivery.
In 2019 the Willmott Dixon team met Ascentae at their Farringdon showroom. During this meeting, Ascentae introduced Nialli, a software that integrates with the Last Planner System. Nialli replicates the familiar analogue processes in a digital format, making it easier for teams to adopt while driving consistency, collaboration, and improved project outcomes.
To ensure long-term success, Willmott Dixon rolled out collaborative planning across the business, focusing on cultural change and transitioning from using analogue methods to implementing digital collaborative planning systems with Nialli.
above: Before Nialli was installed
Nialli offers a digital platform designed to replicate the simplicity and familiarity of analogue planning tools, such as sticky notes and whiteboards, while delivering the powerful advantages of a connected, data-driven system.
With features tailored to support collaborative planning, Nialli provided live visibility into project progress, enabling teams to track performance, identify challenges, and address issues proactively. This data and standardised approach ensured reliable insights, empowering decision-making and fostering alignment across teams and supply chain partners. By integrating seamlessly into Willmott Dixon's workflows, Nialli supported their goal of improving efficiency, enhancing quality, and delivering projects ahead of schedule.
Key routines and behaviours were established, including:
? Daily breakdowns and challenges.
? A six-week lookahead to anticipate challenges.
? Engagement metrics to track progress.
With live performance visibility, the team began identifying trends and opportunities within the data, driving adoption and delivering actionable insights.
Outcomes
The implementation of collaborative planning, powered by Nialli’s intuitive platform, brought transformative benefits to Willmott Dixon:
? Improved Performance Metrics: The company dramatically increased PPC (Percent Planned Complete) from 40% to 72%. This previously unavailable metric now serves as an early warning indicator, enabling the proactive identification and addressing of project issues.
? Operational Efficiency: By fostering a planned and structured approach, Willmott Dixon reduced reactive work, minimised defects, and improved overall quality. One project finished three weeks ahead of schedule, highlighting the efficiency gains.
? Supply Chain Engagement: Nialli’s simplicity and sticky-note-like interface encouraged supply chain participation. The ability to visualise work areas and labour availability enabled more efficient site operations and better supply chain collaboration.
? Enhanced Decision-Making: The ability to trust and rely on standardised, baked-in data transformed decision-making processes. Teams could now have calm, productive conversations, using data to align on solutions rather than relying on assumptions.
? Workplace Benefits: The structured planning approach created less stressful, more productive team environments. Employees reported higher engagement and satisfaction, with projects progressing as planned.
? Customer Satisfaction: Improved planning and execution resulted in higher customer satisfaction, positioning Willmott Dixon as a leader in efficient project delivery.