98% of megaprojects face cost overruns or delays, costing the U.S. construction industry $280 billion annually. On the latest Disruption Interruption episode, Olfa Hamdi, CEO of Concord Project Technologies, shares how her Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) framework is transforming construction by cutting waste, improving predictability, and tackling inefficiencies.
TAMPA BAY, Fla., June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Construction inefficiencies have long plagued the industry, with a staggering 98% of megaprojects experiencing cost overruns or delays, amounting to an estimated $280 billion in 2024. (1,2) These challenges often stem from a lack of alignment among stakeholders and the systematic acceptance of inefficiencies.
Olfa Hamdi, Co-Founder and CEO of Concord Project Technologies, joins host Karla Jo Helms (KJ) on the Disruption Interruption podcast to share her groundbreaking vision for the construction industry. As a trailblazer in revolutionizing project management methodologies worldwide, Hamdi tackles the outdated practices that plague the sector and highlights how her innovative approach is redefining the future of capital project delivery.
"In a typical 10-hour shift, just 3 hours go to actual installation—the rest is lost to delays," says Hamdi. "We've seen real-world cases where Advanced Work Packaging increased productive time in the field by over 35%"
Breaking Construction's Status Quo
The construction industry has long been resistant to change, with inefficiencies deeply embedded in its operations. Hamdi highlights the severe waste across projects, especially in labor productivity. For example, in a $100 million construction project, at least $50 to $55 million is spent on labor alone. However, the industry average for "uptime," or the time labor is actually spent delivering and installing equipment in the field, is less than 30%. This inefficiency directly impacts project timelines and budgets.
"Too often, crews are left waiting—for equipment, for drawings, for instructions. It's not just wasted time; it's wasted potential," explains Hamdi.
Additionally, the disconnect among key stakeholders including business executives, engineers, and procurement teams has perpetuated inefficiencies for decades. This misalignment leads to claims, cost overruns, and delays that have become the industry's long-accepted norm.
"Whether it's a refinery project or a new data center, the problem is the same—we don't speak the same language," highlights Hamdi. Without a standardized framework to connect all stakeholders, inefficiency will continue to plague projects at every stage.
Advanced Work Packaging Redefines Project Management
Hamdi's Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) offers a disruptive solution to this chronic problem. AWP is a data-driven framework designed to align engineering, procurement, and construction teams from the very beginning of a project. By creating a shared "language" across stakeholders, AWP ensures that projects are designed with predictability and efficiency from the outset.
This innovative methodology standardizes work processes, integrates key functions early in project planning, and reduces the risk of miscommunication. "AWP brings construction professionals into the conversation from the very beginning. We start planning before the foundation is even laid, aligning every player at every step."
Projects using AWP have seen up to a 35% improvement in labor productivity, significantly cutting costs and schedules. Additionally, Concord Project Technologies has democratized the methodology through certification programs, training over 6,000 professionals globally. "When knowledge is accessible, the industry transforms. It's about empowering people with clarity and alignment," Hamdi concludes.
Links
Disrupting Construction Complexity: The Tech-Driven Approach Saving Billions with Olfa Hamdi
https://omny.fm/shows/disruption-interruption/disrupting-construction-complexity-the-tech-driven-approach-saving-billions-with-olfa-hamdi
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/olfahamdi
Company LinkedIn: http://www.tconglobal.com/blog
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About Olfa Hambi
Olfa Hamdi is a globally recognized pioneer in capital project innovation and a powerful advocate for democratic reform. As the Founder and CEO of Concord Project Technologies, she is transforming the construction industry through Advanced Work Packaging (AWP)—a strategic, data-driven framework that enhances capital project delivery for industrial Owner and EPC companies around the world. Concord's mission is to drive predictability in $50B of capital spending and certify 25,000 professionals in AWP by 2025.
A thought leader in construction productivity, Hamdi co-authored the industry-standard AWP implementation resource for the Construction Industry Institute (CII) and holds dual master's degrees in Capital Project Management from the University of Texas at Austin and Engineering from École Centrale de Lille. She also earned a credential in Alternative Dispute Resolution for construction conflicts from Texas School of Law and is a fellow of the State Bar of Texas Construction Law Section.
In addition to her leadership in engineering and innovation, Hamdi is a vocal proponent of economic freedom and democracy in her native Tunisia. As the founder and president of the Center for Strategic Studies on Tunisia, she works to strengthen U.S.–Tunisia ties and advance strategic, market-driven reforms. Despite facing political threats—including those to her personal safety—she remains committed to building a future rooted in innovation, rule of law, and opportunity for all.
About Karla Jo Helms
Karla Jo Helms is the Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR® Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors™. Karla Jo learned firsthand how unforgiving business can be when millions of dollars are on the line — and how the control of public opinion often determines whether one company is happily chosen, or another is brutally rejected. Being an alumnus of crisis management, Karla Jo has worked with litigation attorneys, private investigators, and the media to help restore companies of goodwill into the good graces of public opinion — Karla Jo operates on the ethic of getting it right the first time, not relying on second chances and doing what it takes to excel. Helms speaks globally on public relations, how the PR industry itself has lost its way, and how, in the right hands, corporations can harness the power of Anti-PR to drive markets and impact market perception.
References
1. Yaqub, Mohammad. "Construction Cost Overrun Statistics: A Must Know (2025)." Contimod, 10 Mar. 2025, contimod.com/construction-cost-overrun-statistics/.
2. GlobeNewswire. "Slow Payments Cost $280 Billion in 2024, Threaten U.S. Construction Industry's Financial Health." GlobeNewswire News Room, Oct. 2024, globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/10/01/2955968/0/en/Slow-Payments-Cost-280-Billion-in-2024-Threaten-U-S-Construction-Industry-s-Financial-Health.html.
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